In Episode 32, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Arun Nandi, Chief Data and AI Officer at Carrier, where they discuss the transformative role of AI in business and its potential impact on climate change.

They explore the importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives, the need for cultural alignment and stakeholder engagement, and the significance of reskilling the workforce in the AI era.

Arun shares insights on building an AI accelerator programme and the challenges of measuring value in AI projects, emphasising the need for discipline and consistency in tracking outcomes.

Takeaways:

• AI is a powerful enabler for business transformation.
• The importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives.
• AI's impact on climate change and sustainability is significant.
• Building an AI accelerator can drive innovation and speed.
• Cultural alignment is crucial for successful AI adoption.
• Measuring value in AI requires discipline and consistency.
• Stakeholder engagement is key to successful AI projects.
• Reskilling the workforce is essential in the AI era.
• AI should be viewed as a horizontal capability across organizations.
• The future of work will involve collaboration between humans and AI.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to AI and Data Leadership
• 03:03 Carrier's Evolution and Purpose
• 05:50 The Current AI Landscape and Its Future
• 12:13 Navigating the AI Hype Cycle
• 17:59 Keys to Success for AI Leaders
• 27:31 The Shift to AI-First Mindset
• 29:06 Prioritizing Value in AI Use Cases
• 34:42 Fostering a Value-First Mindset
• 39:43 Problem-Solving with AI as an Enabler
• 46:16 Accelerating AI Implementation
• 50:26 Cultural Alignment and Co-Ownership in AI
• 53:25 AI's Role in Climate Change and Sustainability

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.