CDAO Europe 2024 schedule

During this 5-minute networking session, the aim of the game is to go and meet two people you don't already know.  

Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have revolutionized the field of artificial intelligence and have shown immense potential for their application in various industries. This talk will address the emerging paradigm of LLM application development, focusing on the use of LLMs as logic engines to enable highly engaging and personalized user experiences in modern applications 

In particular, we will address the following issues: 

• Benefits of using LLMs for decision making in customer-facing apps 

• Challenges of integrating LLMs into larger applications: Predictability & Maintainability 

• A framework for addressing these challenges 

Join Tomas Trnka, Chief Data Officer at Carvago, as he dives into the practical applications of AI in the automotive industry. This session will uncover real-world challenges and successes in implementing AI technologies like natural language processing, image recognition, and price prediction models. Discover how data-driven strategies and hybrid solutions can help overcome AI’s limitations, from high costs to the need for frequent retraining. Gain valuable insights into treating data as a product and learn how autonomous data teams can drive business impact. Perfect for professionals looking to leverage AI effectively in their operations. 

In his keynote talks at the Snowflake and Databricks Summit this year, Jenson Huang, the Founder CEO at NVIDEA, talked at length about how, to compete today, organizations have to build data flywheels: where they take their proprietary business data, use AI on that data to build proprietary intelligence, use that insight to build proprietary products and services that your customers love and use that to create more proprietary data to feed AIs to build more proprietary intelligence and so on. 

But what does this mean in practice? Jenson's example of NVIDEA is intriguing - but how can the rest of us build data flywheels in our own organizations? What practical steps can they take? 

In this talk, Yali Sassoon, Snowplow co-founder and CTO, will start to answer these questions, drawing on examples from Snowplow customers in retail, media and technology that have successfully built customer data flywheels on top of their proprietary 1st party customer data. 

• AI at Enterprise Grade 

• Scalability and Reliability 

• Integration with Existing Systems 

• Data Privacy and Security 

• Use Cases 

• Chatbots for Internal Customers 

• Data Gathering and Quality Improvement 

• Automation Opportunities 

• Improving Chatbot Performance 

• Contextual Understanding 

• Hyperparameter Tuning 

• Continuous Learning 

• AI and Advanced Analytics is the easiest way to generate business value from data. 

  Extracting and delivering business value to create an economic impact is quite offensive compared to managing and protecting data for security and safety reasons. 

  There is a sweet spot in between; Responsible AI. 

  In this talk,  Dr. Ben Kuzey will cover the principles of Responsible AI and practical actions to supervise AI within organizations. 

   

   

• • The use of artificial intelligence offers organizations many new opportunities to strengthen their business. Developments in this field are rapid, so it’s essential to respond quickly and use high-quality data to leverage AI’s potential. Data warehouse automation can play a significant role in this.

• Define Vision and Goals: Align data strategies with clear organizational objectives. 

• Foster a Data-Driven Culture: Promote data literacy and decision-making based on insights. 

• Invest in Infrastructure: Implement modern data management tools and ensure data quality. 

• Empower Teams with Data: Provide access to data and self-service analytics across departments. 

• Secure Leadership Commitment: Ensure leadership buy-in and support for data-driven initiatives. 

• In this presentation, we explore the critical role of analytics leaders in guiding organizations through data-driven transformation, drawing on real-life experiences from HEINEKEN, the largest brewing company in Europe. This session will cover the key responsibilities of analytics leaders in shaping data strategy, fostering a data-centric culture, enabling cross-functional collaboration, and delivering actionable insights that align with business goals. 

   

   

• How can organizations cultivate a leadership approach that values data as a strategic resource? 

• What are the persistent barriers that prevent organizations from fully embracing data confidence? 

• Why is it crucial to shift the perception of data to make it accessible to all employees, not just analysts? 

• How does the integration of data literacy and leadership contribute to fostering innovation and accelerating business growth? 

Gabriela Filip, Chief Data and Analytics Officer - KNAB BANK 

Ilja Hermans, Data Strategy Program Lead – PHILIPS 

Olivier Maugain, Data Governance & Activation Manager - Ingka Group | IKEA 

• How can organizations design a data governance framework that balances regulatory compliance, data security, and business agility? 

• What are the most effective approaches for integrating AI and machine learning capabilities within a data organization to drive innovation and maintain competitive advantage? 

• In the context of scaling data operations, what role do advanced data architectures and technologies (such as data lakes, data warehouses, and cloud platforms) play in enhancing organizational efficiency and data-driven decision-making? 

• How can senior data leaders foster a culture of data literacy and continuous improvement across the organization, ensuring that all employees are equipped to leverage data effectively? 

Moderator: Danielle Timmins, Chief Data & Analytics Officer - FREERANGE CREATIVES 

Gabriela Filip, Chief Data and Analytics Officer - KNAB BANK 

Francesca D'Amato, Group Chief Data and AI Officer - RCS MEDIAGROUP  

As a CFO with deep experience in data-driven initiatives, I’ve seen how critical data has become to our role—not just for financial reporting but as the backbone of strategic decision-making and business transformation. 

In this session, I’ll discuss how a strong data strategy is key to evolving the CFO from a traditional finance role into a modern, strategic leader. While the transformation takes time, the benefits, including economies of scale, can be significant when done right. 

I believe the CFO should champion and lead this change. My presentation will cover the importance of a clear data strategy, its long-term benefits, and the CFO’s unique position to drive it forward. 

In this presentation, I will share key insights from our journey of automating and streamlining clinical trial analysis, transitioning from manual, Excel-based workflows to a fully integrated data lakehouse solution. While generative AI and large language models (LLMs) may dominate the conversation today, I argue that foundational data transformations are equally critical to business success and are often the stepping stones to successful AI implementations. 

The discussion will cover several crucial elements of this transition, including: 

• Achieving a Data Maturity Leap: How we progressed from data immaturity (level 1) to a more advanced state (level 3) within a year by replacing manual processes with an automated data lakehouse. 

• Focusing on Business Value over Technology: Prioritizing stakeholder value over technology scalability from the outset was a key strategy in driving early momentum and engagement. 

• An Iterative, Agile Approach to Success: Regularly presenting prototypes, incorporating feedback, and adopting agile principles were essential in adapting and refining the solution. 

• Understanding Stakeholder Needs: Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the diverse stakeholder requirements, their data processes, and the purpose of analyses was critical, though time-consuming, for ensuring long-term success. 

• This session will provide practical strategies and lessons learned that can be applied to any organization embarking on a similar data transformation journey. 

• How can organizations ensure their data strategy is effectively aligned with their overall business objectives? 

• What are the common pitfalls organizations face when their data strategy does not align with their business strategy, and how can these be avoided? 

• What role does data governance play in aligning data strategy with business goals, and what are the best practices for implementing it? 

• How can organizations measure the impact of data-driven initiatives on their business performance, and what metrics should be used? 

Moderator: Armando Pais do Amaral, Head of Data Science and Technology - VANWONEN  

Kamalika Ghosh, Business Insights, Data Management & Engineering Director – PHILIPS 

Kieran O'Driscoll, Head of Data & Analytics - Africa & Middle East –THE HEINEKEN COMPANY

• Define Vision and Goals: Align data strategies with clear organizational objectives. 

• Foster a Data-Driven Culture: Promote data literacy and decision-making based on insights. 

• Invest in Infrastructure: Implement modern data management tools and ensure data quality. 

• Empower Teams with Data: Provide access to data and self-service analytics across departments. 

• Secure Leadership Commitment: Ensure leadership buy-in and support for data-driven initiatives. 

Discover the pivotal role of leadership in fostering a data-driven culture that propels organisational success. Dive into dynamic strategies, industry best practices, and cutting-edge techniques that empower leaders to inspire change and drive transformation. Learn how to implement effective data governance frameworks, nurture data literacy initiatives, and align organisational goals with a data-driven mindset. Unlock the benefits of improved decision-making, operational efficiency, and gaining a competitive edge.  

• Can leadership be the spark that ignites a data revolution within your organisation? 
• How can leaders drive a cultural transformation that unleashes the power of data-driven decision-making? 
• What strategies and techniques can leaders employ to cultivate a data-centric environment that inspires change and fuels innovation? 
• Are you ready to take the reins and become a catalyst for organisational growth by harnessing the full potential of leadership in cultivating a data-driven culture? 

Get ready to unravel the secrets of data governance in an immersive session that cracks the code for ROI and business value. We'll navigate the complex terrain of data governance, shedding light on its pillars and principles, empowering you to take the bull by the horns. Discover industry best practices and frameworks like DAMA-DMBOK and COBIT, equipping you with the tools to design and implement a tailored data governance strategy. By the end of the session, you'll be armed with the knowledge to unleash the power of data governance, ensuring your organisation is sailing smooth waters and reaping the fruits of data-driven success. 

• What hidden gems lie within real-world case studies, demonstrating the transformative potential of data governance in driving measurable ROI and unlocking valuable business outcomes? 
• Ignite sustained ROI and business value by implementing data governance champions, leveraging automation tools, and fostering a culture of data accountability. 
• What is the recipe for achieving effective data governance with ROI? 
• Proven strategies to fortify data security and brave the storm of risks in the IoT ecosystem. 

Explore the intricate realm of AI risks, encompassing safety, security, fairness, data privacy, and bias. Gain insights into upcoming European AI regulations and their crucial requirements. Unveil efforts to standardise AI and delve into rigorous safety and security assessments. 

• Are AI's boundless possibilities worth the potential risks it carries? Delve into the world of AI risks, from safety and security to fairness and data privacy. How can we strike the perfect balance between innovation and protection? 
• What do the upcoming European AI regulations demand from businesses and organisations? Unravel the essential requirements to navigate the evolving AI landscape successfully. How can compliance lead to enhanced trust and credibility in the AI-powered future? 
• How do we build an unyielding fortress of safety around AI applications? Delve into the world of AI safety and security assessments. What strategies and frameworks can empower us to stay one step ahead of potential threats and challenges? 

Join us for an immersive session where we embark on an extraordinary journey into the world of MLOps. Brace yourself for an insightful exploration of transforming prototypes into robust, scalable MLOps platforms. Discover the secrets of a proven Reference Architecture Framework, designed to streamline deployment pipelines and optimise model performance. Gain practical knowledge on conquering scalability challenges and maximising operational efficiency. Immerse yourself in real-world case studies, industry best practices, and actionable strategies that will empower you to build a successful MLOps infrastructure. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionise your AI journey and elevate your organisation to new heights of success! 

• How can you metamorphose your machine learning prototypes into potent, scalable MLOps platforms that drive business triumph? 
• What are the pivotal strategies and techniques to optimise model performance, streamline deployment pipelines, and surmount scalability challenges in the realm of MLOps? 
• Fancy revolutionising your AI journey? Join us to delve into a tried-and-tested Reference Architecture Framework that empowers organisations to maximise operational efficiency and achieve unrivalled success in the realm of Machine Learning Operations. 

• Adapting delivery models of in-house analytics teams to cater to changing appetite of your organization 
• Maintaining the focus on People, Processes and Performance during organizational transformations 
• The need to embrace and evolve change management tactics 

In today's data-driven world, the demand for skilled data analytics professionals continues to outpace the available talent pool. Our panelists will share insights on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in the data analytics field, including the role of education, upskilling programs, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and best practices from leading organizations. Join us for a dynamic discussion that will help you navigate the talent gap and stay competitive in the data-driven era. 

• How can organisations effectively bridge the data analytics talent gap in an increasingly competitive job market? 
• What innovative approaches and partnerships are being leveraged to provide accessible and relevant data analytics education and training? 
• In the pursuit of diversity and inclusion, what strategies are proving successful in attracting a more varied pool of data analytics professionals, and how does this impact the industry as a whole? 

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, safeguarding sensitive information is a critical imperative for businesses. Effectively protecting data requires a cohesive and strategic information security plan that aligns seamlessly with the overarching business strategy. This session delves into the essential practice of linking information security strategy to business strategy, exploring the benefits and challenges of this fusion. By forging a strong connection between the fort of information security and the fortune of the business, organizations can bolster their resilience against cyber risks while unlocking opportunities for strategic growth and competitive advantage. The session will examine practical methodologies to bridge the gap between these two domains, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, risk assessment, and continuous adaptation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into cultivating a harmonious integration of information security and business strategies, empowering their enterprises to fortify their digital defenses and thrive in the face of ever-changing cyber threats. 

Muge Guclu, Senior Data Scientist at SHELL, will be leading a presentation on the transformative force of citizen development in our ever-evolving technological landscape. During her session, she will delve into critical aspects of this phenomenon, including democratization, scaling-up, and governance/security. Muge's expertise in data science and her experience at SHELL make her a knowledgeable guide in exploring how citizen development empowers individuals to actively shape the future of technology. She will provide valuable insights into scaling-up grassroots innovations for broader societal impact while emphasizing the importance of governance and security in this dynamic field. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from Muge Guclu and gain a deeper understanding of how citizen development is reshaping the digital world.