The Data Masterclass Podcast

AI on the factory floor needs more than a smarter model. How do you bring probabilistic AI into an environment where machines must behave predictably? In this episode of the Data Masterclass Podcast, Dr. Nikita Golovko, Principal AI Architect and Portfolio Architect at Siemens, joins Aleksejs Plotnikovs on the Data Masterclass Podcast to explain why industrial AI depends on the architecture around it, how to bring legacy machines into the digital world, and why explainability, operator expertise, and engineering judgment matter when putting AI into production.

▶️ Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YrV0lBUH8lg

In the latest Data Masterclass Podcast, Aleksejs Plotnikovs talks with Nadiem von Heydebrand, CEO & Co-Founder of Mindfuel, about turning data and AI use cases into measurable P&L impact. Drawing on his experience in data strategy and product management, Nadiem explains why value starts with the business problem—not the solution—and how organizations can track business outcomes and trace that value back to their data assets.

▶️ Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O2pIGfJKLD4

In the latest Data Masterclass Podcast, Aleksejs Plotnikovs talks with Dr. Maryam Ramezani Bartsch about the missing link between customer data and genuine customer understanding. Drawing on almost 20 years in Data & AI and her experience across companies including Adidas, Maryam shares how the idea of Customer DNA emerged and why it may become even more relevant in the AI era.

Watch the full conversation on Youtube 
Join the Book Prelist → https://www.maryamramezani.com/cdna-book

In this episode of the Data Masterclass Podcast, Dr. Alexander Borek (Founder & CEO of Data Masterclass) talks with Simba Khadder, Context Engineer at Redis, about why the future of AI won't be defined by larger models—but by better context.

As AI agents become more capable, the real differentiator is no longer the model itself. It's the ability to provide the right context, at the right time, from the right data.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/jqmxre8D7e8

In this engaging interview, Karthik Ravindran, a Microsoft veteran leading data and AI platforms, shares insights on navigating the AI revolution, the human-AI collaboration, and the evolving data landscape. Discover how to embrace AI's potential while managing trust, context, and data quality in a rapidly changing world.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/IUDlnKo89yA

In this episode of the Data Masterclass Podcast, Aleksejs Plotnikovs sits down with Mariana Hebborn, Global Head of HR Data & AI at Merck KGaA, to explore how one of the world's leading science and technology companies is transforming Human Resources through Data and AI.

Mariana shares her journey from computational linguistics and healthcare data into HR Data & AI leadership, explaining why people data is one of the most impactful—and challenging—data domains in any organization.

The conversation covers the evolution of Merck's HR data strategy, from addressing fundamental data quality challenges to building a scalable governance model based on ownership, data products, and cross-functional collaboration. Mariana also discusses how trusted data creates the foundation for AI adoption and why successful transformation depends more on people than technology.

In this episode, Dr. Alexander Borek interviews Alexandra Caraghiulea from ABN AMRO, discussing the bank's innovative journey in integrating AI into customer engagement and interactions. They explore the challenges and successes of implementing decision intelligence, generative AI, and the transformation of corporate banking and wealth management services. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing compliance with customer experience and the future vision of becoming an AI-native organization.

VIDEO VERSION OF PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/TNt1eFtji3g

In this engaging conversation, Sidd Rajagopal shares insights on the evolving landscape of data leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding business contexts, aligning data supply and demand, and the necessity of data maturity in enterprises. He discusses real-world examples of data challenges, the journey of writing a book on data strategy, and offers valuable advice for aspiring data leaders. The conversation highlights the critical role of storytelling and the future of data leadership, which requires a blend of business acumen and technical expertise.

👉 WATCH VIDEO VERSION ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Kxr9iSOhnAs

In this podcast episode, Dr. Alexander Borek, Aleksejs Plotnikovs and special guest Tiankai Feng discuss the evolving landscape of AI leadership, emphasizing the importance of a human-centric approach. They explore the challenges and opportunities faced by Europe in AI adoption, the need for mindfulness in leadership, and the significance of self-service AI tools. The discussion highlights the necessity for leaders to navigate uncertainty while fostering innovation and collaboration across generations. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of purpose and intention in AI development, aiming for a future that benefits humanity.

WATCH VIDEO VERSION OF PODCAST: https://youtu.be/TDNTgGZRRDk

In this episode, Agathe Paulin shares her leadership journey of restoring trust within her team while delivering quick and lasting business impact. She explains how trust in data, platforms, and people forms the foundation for high-performing organizations. From assessing team dynamics to making decisive calls without full consensus, Agathe offers a practical view of what modern data-driven leadership looks like.