In the opening episode of 2026, Juan and Tim discuss what happened in the data world during 2025 and what they are looking forward to in 2026. We discuss semantics, ontologies, context, tool/vendor consolidation, data teams, platform convergence, governance, and of course... AI!

In the episode we mention the talk we gave at BigDataLDN "Why Data Teams Must Lead the Next AI Revolution" which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULfcjlXxyXg

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Exploring Leadership and AI with Anand Tharanathan

In this engaging episode of our podcast, we delve into the world of leadership and Artificial Intelligence with Anand Tharanathan, GVP of Product Research and Insights at ServiceNow. Anand shares his journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role, emphasizing the importance of empathy, mentorship, and learning from failure. He discusses his unique perspective on leadership drawn from his experiences in sports and how this has influenced his professional growth.

Anand also provides insights into the rapidly evolving field of AI, comparing it with human automation and highlighting the importance of keeping the human element in the loop. He addresses the challenges and nuances of designing AI systems that enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Additionally, Anand discusses how to strike a balance between being product-centric and people-centric, and the crucial role of adaptability in navigating technological advancements.

Towards the end of the conversation, Anand outlines a framework for effectively using AI and advises on avoiding common pitfalls when integrating AI into new products. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, AI, and the future of technology. Join us and gain valuable insights from industry experts!

Guest - Anand Tharanathan, GVP of Product Research and Insights at ServiceNow
Guest Host - Apurva Korde

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:24 Discussing UX Research and AI
01:18 Leadership Journey and Insights
03:45 The Role of Mentors and Managers
09:59 Design Leadership vs. Conventional Leadership
13:56 Balancing Product and People-Centric Leadership
17:55 Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes
18:56 Navigating the AI Revolution
19:14 Staying Calm and Curious in the AI Era
20:45 Insights from a Tech Leader on AI
21:42 Designing Human-Centric AI Experiences
26:32 The Importance of Human in the Loop
31:24 Frameworks for AI Use and Misuse
34:25 Building AI-Powered Products
36:37 Balancing AI and Business Goals
38:45 Concluding Thoughts on AI

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Tim and Juan chat with Lena Hall, the Senior Director of Developer Relations at Akamai, and an AI practitioner where we dive into what it means to build AI agents. 

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This is the takeaway episode with Lena Hall, the Senior Director of Developer Relations at Akamai, and an AI practitioner where we dive into what it means to build AI agents. If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!

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Tim and Juan chat with Arielle Rolland, a Data & AI Strategy Manager and Data Product Enthusiast and dive into how many teams are overcomplicating data products. We discuss what makes a good data product initiative and a good data product. Is a waterfall approach actually that bad? And how to balance between strategy and delivery. If you are scratching your head about data products and feel lost, this episode is for you!

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This is the takeaway episode with Arielle Rolland, a Data & AI Strategy Manager and Data Product Enthusiast where we dive into how many teams are overcomplicating data products. We discuss what makes a good data product initiative and a good data product. Is a waterfall approach actually that bad? And how to balance between strategy and delivery. If you are scratching your head about data products and feel lost, this episode is for you!  If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!

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Tim and Juan chat with Danielle Crop is the EVP Digital Strategy & Alliances at WNS, former Chief Data Officer of Albertson and also the former Chief Data Officer of American Express about how data leaders and practitioners need to be thinking about AI and how to focus on what truly provides business value. We get into who will be building models, and how roles will be evolving in organizations. If you want to learn what is going through the mind of an executive data leader, this episode is for you!

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This is the takeaway episode with Danielle Crop is the EVP Digital Strategy & Alliances at WNS, former Chief Data Officer of Albertson and also the former Chief Data Officer of American Express where we chat about how data leaders and practitioners need to be thinking about AI and how to focus on what truly provides business value, who will be building models, and how roles will be evolving in organizations. If you want to learn what is going through the mind of an executive data leader, this episode is for you. If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!

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In this episode of the podcast, host Bobby Brill takes a break from hosting duties and introduces Shruti Shrivastava, Director of UX Research at ServiceNow in Bangalore, India. Shruti takes the reigns for this episode and interviews Averria Martin, Senior Director, UX Research. The conversation covers a range of topics including the application of AI in research, internal mobility at ServiceNow, and effective leadership strategies. Averria shares her personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, growth mindset, and fostering a collaborative culture. The episode also highlights practical advice for transitioning from IC roles to leadership and the value of internal mobility and user-centric approaches in research.

Guest - Averria Martin, Senior Director, UX Research
Guest Host - Shruti Shrivastava, Director of UX Research

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:13 Meet Shruti Shrivastava
01:10 Insights on AI in Research
01:51 Interview with Averria Martin
04:48 Work-Life Balance Tips
06:53 Career Advice for Researchers
09:27 Internal Mobility and Culture at ServiceNow
12:47 AI and Research Technologies
18:20 Collaboration and Leadership
26:04 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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Jessica Zuñiga is the Head of AI Readiness & Data Governance at BlueYeti and one of the most important voices in data governance in Mexico and Latin America. Tim and Juan discuss with Jessica about when data and AI governance truly becomes a business enabler and how to use frameworks like DAMA effectively. 

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