Enterprise Leaders Talk Data & AI Safety at CDO Magazine Columbus Pre-Summit Dinner

Top enterprise data, analytics, and AI leaders got together to weigh the challenges, transparency, and strategic trade-offs essential for leveraging AI at scale, at the CDO Magazine Columbus Pre-Summit Executive Boardroom Dinner on November 6.

The event’s panel discussion on the “Safe Use of Data+AI to Unleash the Power of Enterprise AI” featured questions around the current complexities and forward-looking strategies in data and AI deployment.

Key topics included identifying the major hurdles in integrating AI systems, understanding transparency’s pivotal role within organizations, and the strategic decision-making involved in balancing out-of-the-box AI solutions against custom-built platforms. Participants also examined how data teams can effectively communicate their results to executive leadership.

The panel of experts were:

• Tom Marlow, Liberty Mutual Insurance Head, Global Data Strategy & Alignment - Global Risk Solutions

• Josh Lowe, Bread Financial VP, Enterprise Data Platforms

• Gabi Vandermark, Magellan Health VP, Data Analytics & Corporate Technology Solutions

The discussion was moderated by Jack Berkowitz, Securiti Chief Data Officer.

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“I was honored to take part in the panel at last night's CDO Magazine dinner, and hear various perspectives about data and how AI is emerging within our organizations – a lot of great information-sharing,” says Columbus Executive Board Co-Chair and panelist Marlow.

Speaker Lowe shares these takeaways from the discussion: 

• In the absence of common industry standards, every company will have to start with their own base set of standards and practices that support safe AI systems. 

• Make sure your AI implementations align with your company values.

• Successful use of unstructured data is key in implementing beneficial AI systems. Develop plans for management and use of unstructured data. 

Sharing her take, panelist Vandermark says: "The opportunity to share a meal with peers in the community is invaluable. You get to see people from previous roles and meet new people facing similar challenges in our current roles with data. Getting to hear from them all provided me with perspectives and new ideas that I'm certain to explore."

According to Orlando Sprockel, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Director, IT, “Last night’s dinner was amazing – meeting new people, seeing some old friends, talking about technology that we all have in common. The speakers brought some points that I need to address so it definitely was a learning. More important is the community that we have with all of our colleagues here in Columbus.”

Sprockel adds his takeaways:

• It is important to focus on data governance.

• As you define your governance, strategy, and direction, it’s critical that your team is upskilled to meet business objectives.

• Business objectives need to be translated into IT solutions, not the other way around which we as IT people tend toward.

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According to Michael Parks, CDO Magazine Global Community Director, “The CDO Magazine Columbus Pre-Summit Dinner was more than just an evening gathering; it was an inspiring convergence of minds. The camaraderie, deep discussions, and open sharing of ideas were profound and eye-opening. The opportunity to network, exchange strategies, and cross-pollinate approaches was truly priceless. I was honored to be part of this transformative experience.” 

Moderator Berkowitz sums up the event saying, “The CDO Magazine dinner was fantastic – lots of energy and a good discussion by the panel of Gabi, Josh and Tom on the challenges of rolling out AI for companies. I loved getting to meet the great CDO teams in Columbus. And as they say there … OH…IO!”

Special thanks to Securiti for making the CDO Magazine Pre-Summit Dinner such a resounding success.

*Tom Marlow is a member of the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Executives attending the Columbus CDO Magazine Pre-Summit Dinner included:

Ben Blanquera, Rackspace Technology/FAIRm, VP-Technology and Sustainability; Dave Blum, United Wheels Inc. Chief Information Officer; Scot Burdette, ABB Global Division CIO, Measurement and Analytics; Tim Cunningham, Grange Insurance Chief Information Officer; Jasmine De Gaia, Wells Fargo SVP, Head of Customer Data Strategy; Justin Heller, Synchrony Financial SVP, Chief Data Officer; Todd Henley, Paperkite Principal; Kiran Karnati, Citizens VP, Distinguished Architect | Enterprise Data & Analytics | AI | ML | Generative AI; Ken Kaufman, Worthington Enterprises Director, Data & Analytics; Dinesh Kumar, Centria Healthcare; Nan Li, Nationwide FormerVP, AI/ML Practice; Josh Lowe, Bread Financial Vice President - Data Strategy, Services, & Governance; Tom Marlow, Liberty Mutual Insurance; Mark Marshalek, Farmers Insurance Head of Data Governance; Scott McNeal, CAS Director, Content Technology; Scott Peachey, Bread Financial Director, Data Governance and Oversight; Jim Perry, CAS Sr. Manager, Data Management; Matt Pittsenbarger, Nationwide Chief Architect - Corporate Technology; Richard Playko, BMW Financial Services Manager, Data Management & Analytics; Venki Rao, CAS Vice President & Chief Technology Officer; Salema Rice, CDO TODAY CEO; Brian Sampsel, OhioHealth Director, Analytics; Molly Schmied, The Ohio State University Chief Analytics Officer, Office of Advancement; Brian Shea, MedOne Healthcare Partners Chief Information Officer; Corwin Smith, Wallick Communities Director Business Intelligence and Analytics; Orlando Sprockel, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Director Of Information Technology; Payal Thakur, JobsOhio Senior Director Enterprise Analytics/CDO; Gabi Vandermark, Magellan Health VP, Data Analytics & Corporate Technology Solutions; David Vasquez, Nationwide VP, Enterprise Data Strategy & Activation; Sasha Verbitsky, Simon Property Group SVP - Data, Analytics, Digital; Justin Windle, First Citizens Bank Head, Data Oversight; Troy Zimpfer, Bath & Body Works VP, Data & Analytics; Jack Berkowitz, Securiti Chief Data Officer; Ryan Glennon, Securiti Enterprise Mid Atlantic Regional Sales Manager; Lauren King, Securiti Field Marketing & Events Manager (NAM); Paul St. Vil, Securiti VP, Presales Engineering, Global; Michael Parks, CDO Magazine Global Community Director; and Mindy Mobley, CDO Magazine Global Events Director.