In this episode, co-hosts Emma McGrattan and Ole Olesen-Bagneux sit down with Kierra Dotson, Associate Director of Data Science & AI Strategy at Further, keynote speaker, and thought leader known for helping enterprise leaders build AI strategies that actually deliver value.

Working at the intersection of data, AI, and operations, Kierra advises Fortune 500 executives on how to move beyond experimentation—designing AI initiatives that are scalable, trustworthy, and worth talking about.

Together, they discuss:

• How the rise of AI is reshaping the data community, and why fundamentals still matter more than ever

• The difference between analytics-ready data and AI-ready data

• Why data governance and AI governance are more connected than most think

• The growing importance of architecture, trade-offs, and “strategic engineers” in an AI-driven world

• How shifts in infrastructure—from cloud to edge to on-prem—are being driven by cost, performance, and data sovereignty

Kierra also shares practical advice for the next generation of data and AI professionals, from building meaningful projects to developing the business and architectural thinking that sets candidates apart.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation on AI strategy, enterprise reality, and why mastering the fundamentals is still the best way to stay ahead.

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