Podcast · Tech & Science

Bringing Data and AI to Life

by Informatica · English · Tech & Science

This is Bringing Data and AI to Life: the podcast you want to listen to for practical advice and insights into the latest innovations in data management and AI. You’ll learn how to realize transformative business outcomes by managing data to become a living and trusted asset, fueling your AI and dat

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 22 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 24 min

Why Most AI Strategies Fail Before They Even Start ft. Zoher Karu

AI is everywhere but many organizations are still getting it wrong. In this special Greatest Hits episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, hosts Amy Horowitz and Nick Dobbins sit down with Zoher, a seasoned data and AI leader, to unpack why AI is the business accelerator today. From messy data foundations to misguided “AI-first” thinking, Zoher breaks down why companies rush into AI without clarity on the problem they’re solving, and how that leads to wasted effort and poor outcomes. He emphasises thinking backwards from the business problem, not forward from the technology.

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E47 · 24 Sep 2026 · 22 min
Why AI Is Never Really Done ft. Maria Vechtomova
Getting your AI system into production isn’t the finish line. It’s the point where the real work begins. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Nick Dobbins sits down with Maria Vechtomova, Co-Founder of Cauchy, MLOps expert and O’Reilly author, to unpack what it really takes to make AI reliable beyond the experimentation phase. She breaks down the four principles underpinning MLOps as well as the challenges of evaluating GenAI outputs, governing agentic systems and integrating AI across complex enterprise environments. The conversation makes one thing clear: AI cannot be…
S1 · E46 · 20 Aug 2026 · 23 min
S1E43 Why AI Leaders Must Get Their Hands Dirty ft. Allison Sagraves
There are no easy answers. Just ask your finance, marketing and operations teams what “sales” means, and you’ll see. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz (GVP, Informatica) sits down with Allison Sagraves, Chief Data Officer and Carnegie Mellon CDAO faculty. They break down the real barrier holding enterprise AI back: agreeing on what your data actually means. Learn why taxonomy trumps simple data quality, how to close the executive AI confidence gap, and why real AI leadership demands getting into the trenches.
S1 · E45 · 6 Aug 2026 · 18 min
S1E42 The Playbook To Building AI-Driven Innovation at Scale with Karen Pfeifer of Pythian
AI this, AI that - but how many of us are actually extracting its complete value and making it work for us? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host and GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, Amy Horowitz sits down with Karen Pfeifer, Chief AI Officer at Pythian, to unravel the complexities of enterprise data and AI transformation. Drawing from her extensive experience at industry giants like Disney, Hulu, and Comcast, Karen shares invaluable insights on measuring data success through business impact, developing cross-functional teams, and navigating the…
S1 · E44 · 23 Jul 2026 · 15 min
S1E41 Why Great AI Solutions Start with Listening: Navigating the Data Quality Crisis with Joe Reis Part 2
So, you’ve got your data in place. Now what? The world of data collection, analysis and engineering is undergoing a massive overhaul and it can be hard to keep on. In part 2 of this Bringing Data and AI To Life episode, host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, and Joe Reis, bestselling author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and Data Engineer, continue to unpack why prioritizing business problems over technological solutions in AI implementation is critical. Tune in to discover practical strategies for better active listening, translating technical concepts into…
S1 · E43 · 9 Jul 2026 · 24 min
S1E40 Demystifying The Data Ecosystem: Navigating the Data Quality Crisis with Joe Reis Part 1
Today’s data ecosystem is less an absolute and more an ever-evolving mystery that’s always got eyes on it. Our eyes too - on the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, welcomes Joe Reis, bestselling author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and Data Engineer, to explore the evolving landscape of data engineering and AI implementation. Tune in to understand why focusing on fundamentals remains crucial amid rapid technological change, unpack the ways to build robust data systems without falling into “hype cycles”,…
S1 · E42 · 16 Apr 2026 · 25 min
S1E39 Why Most AI Strategies Fail Before They Even Start ft. Zoher Karu
AI is everywhere but many organizations are still getting it wrong. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, hosts Amy Horowitz and Nick Dobbins sit down with Zoher, a seasoned data and AI leader, to unpack why AI is the business accelerator today. From messy data foundations to misguided “AI-first” thinking, Zoher breaks down why companies rush into AI without clarity on the problem they’re solving, and how that leads to wasted effort and poor outcomes. He emphasises thinking backwards from the business problem, not forward from the technology.
S1 · E41 · 2 Apr 2026 · 24 min
S1E38 The AI Guide Everyone Needs in 2026 ft. Gaurav Pathak
AI isn't just a technology trend. It's fundamentally reshaping how enterprises manage, govern and activate their data to power intelligent systems. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica sits down with Gaurav Pathak, VP of Product Management for AI and Metadata at Informatica, to explore how traditional data management is evolving, what's blocking AI adoption and how organizations can prepare for the agentic AI revolution reshaping business operations. Tune in for Gaurav’s playbook on making AI strategy…
S1 · E40 · 12 Mar 2026 · 17 min
S1E37 Why AI Has to be the Infrastructure, Not the Strategy ft. Elon Salfati
Gone are the days where organizations can think of AI as the strategy. At least, they should be. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, welcomes Elon Salfati, Founder of the Salfati Group, to explore why you should treat AI as infrastructure rather than a standalone tool, how you can map workflows and pinpoint the right intervention points for AI augmentation and the key strategies to build organizational alignment across technology, people, and governance. Turns out - starting small with something like…
S1 · E39 · 26 Feb 2026 · 18 min
S1E36 Why “Wait-And-See” Can’t Be Your AI Strategy ft. Steve Brown
Waiting to invest in AI could cost you everything, and yet, leaders are weary of taking the leap. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, welcomes Steve Brown, AI futurist, innovation advisor and author of “The AI Ultimatum”, to explore why the "wait and see" approach to AI is no longer viable, how to avoid critical missteps in your AI transformation (starting with getting your data house in order) and the leadership behaviors that define success in the intelligence age. Tune in to see how AI can become…
S1 · E38 · 5 Feb 2026 · 17 min
S1E35 Why AI Excitement Is Outpacing Data Reality with Jim Kruger of Informatica
What if the rush to AI is actually costing you millions in failed implementations? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, sits down with Jim Kruger, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Informatica, to explore why data quality and governance must come before AI ambitions. Drawing from his unique experience as a CMO with full pipeline accountability, Jim shares why the "trust paradox" is the biggest hurdle to AI success and how leaders can prepare for the next era of agentic business.
S1 · E37 · 22 Jan 2026 · 16 min
S1E34 What Leaders Are Getting Wrong About AI ROI and What Needs to Change ft. Kavita Ganesan
If successful enterprise AI adoption is on your list for 2026, you’ve got to focus all your effort on strategy, not tools. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, host and GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, welcomes Kavita Ganesan, Chief AI Strategist & Architect, Opinosis Analytics, for a browse through her playbook of getting AI right. Together, they unpack why strategy must come before tools, how to identify which AI projects will actually move the needle for your organization, and the critical steps leaders must take to govern innovation…
S1 · E36 · 8 Jan 2026 · 22 min
S1E33 How Companies Can Go from Zero to Scale Using AI for Marketing ft. Lillian Pierson
The year may have changed from 2025 to 2026, but some fundamental truths about AI haven’t. In the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, host and GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, kickstarts the year with Lillian Pierson, Fractional CMO & Growth Advisor, Data Mania LLC and a marketing AI educator, for a candid and eye-opening conversation on how companies can build AI-native growth systems that deliver measurable ROI, architect high-performing teams with fewer resources, while avoiding the pitfalls of "shiny object syndrome." These are the…
S1 · E35 · 23 Dec 2025 · 16 min
S1E32 Predictive AI, The Data Quality Crisis & The Octopus Model: How 2025 Redefined Data and AI
As we draw the curtains on 2025, it’s time to celebrate and reflect on the tectonic shifts the data and AI landscape have brought our way. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, hosts Amy Horowitz and Nick Dobbins reflect on a remarkable year of conversations with industry leaders, unpacking breakthrough insights that separate organizations thriving with AI from those merely chasing the hype. Featuring memorable moments from guests including Alana Val-Hackett, Sean Farney, Joe Reis, Karen Pfeifer, Cara Dailey, Kevin Petrie and Eric Siegel, this episode captures the strategic themes…
S1 · E34 · 11 Dec 2025 · 21 min
S1E31 Creating a Data Experience that Builds Trust & Grows Your Business, with Anand Vijai
Regulations and governance don’t have to slow you down in the age of AI. They can actually be your competitive advantage. In the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, host and GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, welcomes Anand Vijai, Head of Risk, Finance, Compliance and Enterprise Data Platforms at Citizens Bank, for a play-by-play on building the idea data experience. Tune in for actionable insights on driving innovation without sacrificing governance, an understanding of why real-time data integration and AI-ready architectures matter in…
S1 · E33 · 27 Nov 2025 · 30 min
S1E30 The AI Investment Strategies You Need to Know: Eye-Opening Insights from Jonathan Brill
Placing bets is always a risky game, and yet, everyone’s looking to do it with AI. So, how can you make the best possible bet? In the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, host and GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, welcomes pioneering AI strategist and Forbes-ranked #1 Futurist, Jonathan Brill, to figure it out. Backed by his rich experience shaping technology at Microsoft and Samsung, he shares his insights on AI transformation today - from why the "octopus organization" model beats traditional hierarchies, to the four ways of thinking your…
S1 · E32 · 13 Nov 2025 · 24 min
S1E29 The Forgotten 50%: Why Predictive AI Deserves Equal Attention as Generative AI with Eric Siegel
Predictive models are the yin to Gen AI’s yang and yet, they’re often forgotten about and left behind; especially in the context of driving business value. In the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, host Nick Dobbins, VP and Worldwide Field CTO at Informatica, sits down with Eric Siegel, CEO of Gooder AI and bestselling author of "The AI Playbook," to explore the practical implementation of machine learning in business operations and how we can cut through AI hype and unlock real business value through predictive analytics. Tune in to learn why predictive AI deserves equal…
S1 · E31 · 30 Oct 2025 · 24 min
S1E28 Winning the Game of Agentic AI & The Hidden Truth About Model Governance with Kevin Petrie
The only thing worse than not using Agentic AI in today’s day and age is using it badly! If you want to avoid the chaos that often accompanies Agentic AI and enjoy its perks to the fullest, tune into the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life with host Nick Dobbins, VP and Worldwide Field CTO, Informatica. In this episode, he welcomes Kevin Petrie, VP of Research and Head of Data Management Practice at BARC, to explore the transformative impact of Agentic AI on modern enterprises. Kevin shares invaluable insights on architecting for AI success, implementing effective governance…
S1 · E30 · 16 Oct 2025 · 19 min
S1E27 Making the Data Storm Count: Driving Innovation and Transformation as CDO with Cara Dailey
What does it take to be a successful Chief Data Officer in today’s fast changing tech data and AI landscape? In the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI To Life, Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica sits down with Cara Dailey, 3-time CDO for major financial institutions, to explore what pragmatic leadership in data transformation really entails. Drawing from her experience at major financial powerhouses, Cara shares invaluable insights on balancing strategic data differentiation, maintaining "clean closets" in data management, and leveraging AI to…
S1 · E29 · 2 Oct 2025 · 19 min
S1E26 The Playbook To Building AI-Driven Innovation at Scale with Karen Pfeifer of Pythian
AI this, AI that - but how many of us are actually extracting its complete value and making it work for us? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host and GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica, Amy Horowitz sits down with Karen Pfeifer, Chief AI Officer at Pythian, to unravel the complexities of enterprise data and AI transformation. Drawing from her extensive experience at industry giants like Disney, Hulu, and Comcast, Karen shares invaluable insights on measuring data success through business impact, developing cross-functional teams, and navigating the…
S1 · E28 · 18 Sep 2025 · 15 min
S1E25 Why Great AI Solutions Start with Listening: Navigating the Data Quality Crisis with Joe Reis Part 2
So, you’ve got your data in place. Now what? The world of data collection, analysis and engineering is undergoing a massive overhaul and it can be hard to keep on. In part 2 of this Bringing Data and AI To Life episode, host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, and Joe Reis, bestselling author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and Data Engineer, continue to unpack why prioritizing business problems over technological solutions in AI implementation is critical. Tune in to discover practical strategies for better active listening, translating technical concepts into…
S1 · E27 · 4 Sep 2025 · 24 min
S1E24 Navigating the Data Quality Crisis & Demystifying The Data Ecosystem: Part 1 with Joe Reis
Today’s data ecosystem is less an absolute and more an ever-evolving mystery that’s always got eyes on it. Our eyes too - on the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, welcomes Joe Reis, bestselling author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and Data Engineer, in this two-part series, to explore the evolving landscape of data engineering and AI implementation. Tune in to understand why focusing on fundamentals remains crucial amid rapid technological change, unpack the ways to build robust data systems without…
S1 · E26 · 21 Aug 2025 · 21 min
S1E23 The Guide to Data Centre Strategy & Scaling Zero-Downtime Data Centers with Sean Farney
Data dictates everything - our work, our lives and everything in between. But where does it live? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, sits with Sean Farney, VP of Data Center Strategy for Americas at JLL, to explore the fascinating world of data center innovation. Together, they unpack valuable insights from managing Microsoft's groundbreaking 120MW containerized data center to leading sustainability initiatives across 200 million square feet of mission-critical infrastructure. The world belongs to those who pay…
S1 · E25 · 7 Aug 2025 · 19 min
S1E22 How High Performing Data Teams Can Be Ethically Strong Too with Alanna Val-Hackett of TripleLift
Transforming one’s business with AI while maintaining that human element is the balance everyone’s struggling with. But what if the answer’s hidden in plain sight? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host and VP of Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales at Informatica, Amy Horowitz sits down with Alanna Val Hackett, Manager of Data Solutions at TripleLift, to explore the evolution of modern data teams, effective data-driven product management, and practical AI implementation strategies. Tune in for valuable insights on how to balance automation with human expertise,…
S1 · E24 · 24 Jul 2025 · 16 min
S1E21 From Data Chaos to AI Success: Celebrating a Year of Bringing Data and AI To Life
In the data and AI space, action cannot wait. And, neither can celebration! Tune into the anniversary special of Bringing Data and AI To Life as hosts, Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica and Nick Dobbins, VP and Worldwide Field CTO, Informatica, along with special appearances from the podcast team - Rudra Ray, Rameez Ghouz, Stephanie Rogers and Gary Loste, celebrate one year of cutting through data and AI complexity. Together, they reflect on key insights and transformative discussions that have shaped the industry landscape, including AI governance…
S1 · E23 · 10 Jul 2025 · 27 min
S1E20 Bridging the Gap Between Ad Tech and Customer Value: The AI and Data Story with Praveen Gujar
As it stands today, the average social media user is privy to anywhere between 4000 to 10,000 ads a day. So, how much of this churn is down to Data and AI and how efficiently do businesses bridge the gap between ad tech and customer value? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, welcomes Praveen Gujar, Director of Product at LinkedIn, to explore the evolution of ad tech platforms, real-time data scaling, and the delicate balance between personalization and privacy. Whether you're leading marketing technology…
S1 · E22 · 26 Jun 2025 · 16 min
S1E19 The Value Engineering Playbook to Solve Real Problems with: Insights from the Dean of Data, Bill Schmarzo
If you think the mere presence of AI determines organizational success, think again. It’s when organizations use AI to support value creation that success really takes a seat at the table. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Amy Horowitz, VP of the Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales team for Informatica, welcomes the ‘Dean of Big Data’, Bill Schmarzo to the show, to unpack key strategies to transform data and AI initiatives into tangible business value. Backed by his pioneering Value Engineering Methodology, Bill reveals why successful AI adoption…
S1 · E19 · 15 May 2025 · 24 min
S1E18 Staying Optimistic About the Revolutionary Power of AI and Data with Jonas Christensen
Efficient data and AI are often perceived as the end goal for businesses. The truth is that they’re just the tools that get you to the finish line. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, sits with Jonas Christensen, Head of AI Innovation at SkillsGPT and Chief AI Officer at the Australian Regional AI Network, for a deep dive into the impending business revolution, backed by data and AI. From navigating organizational resistance to prioritizing AI initiatives, Jonas shares invaluable insights on turning data…
S1 · E18 · 1 May 2025 · 24 min
S1E17 A Futurist’s Perspective on Visualising Data with AI with Cathy Hackl of Future Dynamics
Who said data was just an invisible string of numbers? On this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life our host and GVP of Solution Specialist Sales at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, is joined by Cathy Hackl, CEO and Founder of Future Dynamics. Cathy is a globally recognized futurist, an expert in deep tech and a speaker on AI. This conversation touches on the definition of data itself, and how it goes beyond what you can calculate in a spreadsheet. Cathy talks us through the challenges businesses face when incorporating AI into their practices, as well as the rise of using physical AI to…
S1 · E17 · 17 Apr 2025 · 24 min
S1E16 Using AI to Build Your Competitive Advantage with John Thompson of Marketing Sciences, LLC
What good are AI and Data if you don’t use them to YOUR competitive advantage? John Thompson, Principal and Owner of Marketing Sciences LLC and author of multiple data and AI books, joins Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, on this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, for a deep dive into practical strategies for AI implementation, the emergence of causal AI, and how to choose the right AI projects that solve genuine business problems. This conversation highlights the value of focusing on business problems first, avoiding “scope creep”, and leveraging both structured…

About Bringing Data and AI to Life

Bringing Data and AI to Life is a English tech & science podcast from Informatica. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Informatica
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 22 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1749004975

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