The Praxi Pod

Praxi Data Inc

Data is everywhere and growing fast. In an era where 80% of enterprise data remains untapped, and with a projected surge to 175 zettabytes of data by 2025 alongside a $190 billion AI market, the need for data analytics has never been more critical. The Praxi Pod is all about Data, AI and how you can make decisions and a real impact for your business. Talking to Data Leaders across the world to learn and change your game.

  1. 11/04/2025

    Data & AI in Regulated Industries Brian Price & Tony Cassin Scott, Co-Founders of The Data Practice

    In this episode of the Praxi Pod, host Andrew Turner engages with data experts Brian Price and Tony Cassin-Scott to explore the evolving landscape of data and AI. They discuss the importance of focusing on business outcomes rather than just technology, the challenges of data governance, and the need for organisations to understand the value of their data. The conversation highlights the risks associated with the AI hype and emphasises the necessity of foundational data capabilities for successful implementation. As they look ahead to 2026, the experts provide insights on how businesses can prepare for the future by starting small and proving value before scaling up their data initiatives. Takeaways - Data should be viewed through the lens of business outcomes, not just technology. - Organisations often focus too much on technology rather than the value of data. - Everyone in the organization should be passionate about data ownership. - Data governance should enable decision-making rather than prevent it. - Understanding the risks associated with data is crucial for effective governance. - AI should not be seen as a simple out-of-the-box solution; it requires careful planning. - Start small with data initiatives to prove value before scaling up. - The hype around AI can lead to shadow AI activities that pose risks. - Cultural change is necessary for effective data governance and utilization. - Organisations need to define clear objectives for their data strategies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Data and AI 01:29 Expert Backgrounds in Data 04:56 Shifting Focus from Technology to Business Outcomes 10:19 Understanding Data Governance and Its Role 15:54 The Importance of Organizational Design in Data Management 19:22 The Role of CDOs and Data Ownership 22:33 Challenges in AI Implementation and Accountability 26:07 Understanding the Black Box of Data 27:57 Cultural Implications of AI Usage 29:30 Navigating Technology Investments 30:49 The Challenge of Proving Value 32:35 The Role of AI in Cost Savings 34:34 The Shadow Side of AI Adoption 36:44 The Consumerization of AI 39:06 Foundational Data Challenges 40:33 The Importance of Business Objectives 43:04 Final Thoughts for Executives Linkedin Brian Price https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianprice4/ Tony Cassin-Scott https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycassinscott/ The Data Practice https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedatapractice/

    50 min
  2. 09/18/2025

    The Praxi Pod Room 101 : Unlocking the Power of AI: Data Classification & Curation Explained

    In this conversation, CEO Andrew Ahn discusses the intricacies of AI and data classification, emphasising the importance of data quality, curation, and the challenges posed by dark and gray data. He highlights the risks of neglecting dark data and the benefits of automating data classification processes. The discussion also covers real-world applications and the significance of domain knowledge in ensuring accurate data classification. Takeaways - The first step in creating an AI model is obtaining the right data. - Data labelling, classification, and curation are distinct but interconnected processes. - Curation is essential for organising data relevant to specific questions. - Dark data represents unknown unknowns that can pose risks to businesses. - Automating data classification can significantly reduce manual workload. - 80% of a data worker's time is spent on data curation tasks. - Bad data leads to poor decision-making and outcomes. - Domain knowledge enhances the accuracy of data classification models. - Companies need to be proactive in managing their dark data. - The foundation of AI and analytics is high-quality, well-classified data. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Data Classification 02:32 Understanding Data Labelling, Classification, and Curation 05:36 The Importance of Data Quality and Curation 08:09 Exploring Dark and Gray Data 11:07 The Risks of Ignoring Dark Data 13:54 Benefits of Automated Data Classification 16:18 Real-World Applications of Data Classification 19:20 The Role of Domain Knowledge in Data Classification 21:54 Conclusion and Future of Data Classification Subscribe to be notified of future content from the Praxi.ai Team

    40 min
  3. 09/01/2025

    Roberto Maranca, The Journey to Unlocking Data Excellence

    In this episode of the Praxi Pod, Andrew Turner interviews Roberto Maranca about his new book, 'Data Excellence.' They discuss the importance of data governance, the cultural aspects of data management, and the role of data in organisational transformation. Maranca emphasises the need for clarity in data definitions, the significance of treating data as a product, and the human element in AI. The conversation also touches on the challenges of data debt and the importance of a sustainable data culture within organisations. Takeaways Data excellence is a journey that requires cultural understanding.Organisations often struggle with defining their data ambitions clearly.Data governance is essential for steering data in the right direction.Data should be treated as a product to enhance its value.The role of the Chief Data Officer is crucial in guiding data strategy.AI should not be confused with data; they serve different purposes.Measuring data quality is vital to avoid data debt.Regulation can act as a catalyst for better data practices.A sustainable data culture is necessary for long-term success.Human creativity remains central in the age of AI. Sound bites "It's a labour of love.""The journey is not there.""Data is a team sport." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Special Announcement 01:13 The Launch of 'Data Excellence' 03:12 Understanding Data Excellence 06:07 Cultural Challenges in Data Excellence 07:50 Exercises for Data Fitness 10:25 Data as a Team Sport 11:38 The Role of Coaches in Data Management 13:09 Distinguishing Data from AI 15:50 The Importance of Measuring Data Debt 20:49 Creating Sustainable Data Practices 23:08 Understanding Data Challenges in Business 24:36 The Role of Regulation in Data Management 26:11 Data Governance vs. Data Management 28:35 Treating Data as a Product 34:33 The Human Element in an AI-Driven World 39:36 Achieving Data Excellence Nirvana Roberto has been a regular guest on The Praxi Pod and is a Senior Exec with Schneider Electric. His new book "Data Excellence" is officially released on 3rd October and he is doing an in-person Book signing at Europes largest data focused event - Big Data LDN in September 2025 Excellent, insightful and enjoyable episode Enjoy !!!

    45 min
  4. 08/28/2025

    Ole Olesen-Bagneux, Connecting the data dots with MetaGrid

    In this episode of Praxi Pod, host Andrew Turner speaks with Ole Olesen-Bahneux about his journey in the data space, his first book on data catalogs, and his new book on metadata management. They discuss the importance of user adoption, the concept of the MetaGrid, and how Ole's background in library science informs his approach to data management. The conversation highlights the challenges organisations face in managing data and the need for better coordination of metadata repositories. Takeaways Ole's first book focuses on the importance of data catalogs.Data catalogs are often underutilized in organizations.User adoption is crucial for the success of data technologies.Ole emphasizes the need for a bridge between technology and business.The concept of the MetaGrid helps coordinate multiple metadata repositories.Metadata is defined as being in two places at once.The role of reference librarians can be applied to data management.Ole's background in library science informs his approach to data.Understanding metadata can improve data management practices.Ole's new book addresses the challenges of metadata management. Sound bites "Data catalogs are where metadata goes to die.""Metadata is in two places at once.""It's a tech book, but it's a weird tech book." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ole Olsen Bagneux 02:41 The Importance of Data and AI 05:41 Ole's Academic and Professional Journey 10:55 Understanding Data Catalogs 13:50 User Adoption and Data Catalogs 19:14 The Fundamentals of Metadata Management 25:01 The Journey of Metadata Management 27:49 Understanding the IT Landscape 31:08 The MetaGrid Concept 35:59 Defining Metadata 42:10 The Role of the Reference Librarian 48:16 Bridging the Gap in Data Management

    56 min
  5. 08/19/2025

    Jessica Talisman, Unlocking Knowledge: The Future of AI and Management

    In this episode of The Praxi Pod, Andrew Turner speaks with Jessica Talisman about the evolving landscape of knowledge management and the role of AI. They discuss the importance of semantic engineering, the challenges organisations face in managing data, and the need for effective knowledge infrastructures. Jessica shares insights on the ontology pipeline and the significance of context in knowledge management, emphasising the need for organisations to embrace a service-oriented mindset. The conversation also touches on historical perspectives, the role of libraries, and future trends in knowledge management. Jessica Talisman is an information architect and semantic technologist with 25+ years designing semantic architectures across enterprise tech and cultural institutions. A formerly trained librarian and information scientist, Jessica works at the intersections of culture and technology, Former roles include Senior Information Architect at Adobe, Information Architect at Amazon, and positions at Pluralsight, GDIT, Overstock.com, and the Department of Justice. She created the Ontology Pipeline™ framework, to help organizations build coherent data ecosystems. Through consulting, courses, and interdisciplinary dialogue, Jessica seeks to advance collaboration between people, machines, and systems. Substack: https://substack.com/@jessicatalisman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmtalisman Website: Ontologypipeline.com Takeaways Knowledge management is crucial for organisational success.Semantic engineering plays a vital role in data management.Organisations face challenges in managing knowledge effectively.AI should complement human knowledge, not replace it.Context is critical in knowledge management practices.Libraries offer valuable lessons for managing knowledge.The ontology pipeline provides a structured approach to knowledge management.Collaboration is key to effective knowledge management.Organisations must validate their knowledge infrastructures.Future trends indicate a shift towards more collaborative knowledge management practices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jessica Talisman and Her Work 02:45 The Role of Semantic Engineering in Knowledge Management 05:24 The Evolution of Roles in Organizations 08:09 Knowledge Workers and Tools for Productivity 10:52 The Importance of Context in Data Management 13:35 Challenges with AI Implementation in Organizations 16:34 Cross-Functional Collaboration for AI Success 19:35 Historical Context of Library Science and AI 22:35 Navigating the AI Hype Cycle 25:20 The Future of AI Tools in Organisations 28:09 Stewardship of Knowledge Assets in Organizations 35:32 The Dynamic Role of Libraries in Education 38:55 AI Partnerships and Knowledge Structuring 43:23 Building Knowledge Ecosystems 48:55 Understanding Ontologies and Taxonomies 57:16 Creating Semantic Infrastructures 59:06 The Future of Knowledge Management

    1h 11m
  6. 06/11/2025

    Ali Khan, The Strategic Importance of Data in Business

    In this conversation, Andrew Turner and Ali Khan discuss the evolving role of Chief Data Officers (CDOs) in the context of AI and data management. They explore the recognition of CDOs, the challenges they face, and the importance of data in decision-making. Ali shares insights on the transformation of data roles, the balance between transformation and line management, and the growing trust in AI for decision-making. The discussion highlights the significance of data as a core asset in organizations and the need for continuous evolution in data practices. Ali covers the evolution of AI, particularly in relation to the Turing Test and its implications for businesses. He emphasises the importance of understanding the risks associated with AI integration, the growing customer expectations, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) in adopting AI technologies. The discussion also covers the critical role of data quality, the challenges of explainability and bias in AI, and the skills gap in AI development. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and considerations businesses must navigate in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. We also discuss the rapid evolution of AI in software development, the implications for the future of work, and the critical importance of AI ethics and governance. Highlighting the shift towards hybrid organszations where AI and human workers collaborate, the need for responsible AI practices, and the challenges of establishing ethical frameworks for AI behaviour. Emphasizing the transformative potential of AI while acknowledging the ethical dilemmas it presents. Takeaways The CDO role is gaining recognition but still faces challenges.Data management is crucial for making informed decisions.Transformation in data roles is necessary for organizational success.AI is reshaping the landscape of data management.Trust in AI is built through demonstrated value and results.Gut decisions are valid but should be supported by data.The CDO role involves both transformation and ongoing management.Data is a fundamental asset for organizations.Continuous evolution in data practices is essential.Collaboration and education are key in adopting AI solutions. The Turing Test has evolved, and AI can now mimic human interaction convincingly.Understanding the business value of AI is crucial for successful implementation.AI introduces risks and uncertainties that must be managed carefully.Customer expectations for AI capabilities are rising, making it essential for businesses to adapt.FOMO is driving many organizations to adopt AI without fully understanding its implications.Data quality is the most significant factor in the success of machine learning models.Explainability in AI remains a challenge, complicating trust and accountability.Bias in AI models can have serious ethical implications that need to be addressed.Integrating traditional models with AI can enhance robustness but requires careful planning.The skills gap in AI development is a significant barrier that organizations must overcome. AI can autonomously add code to existing software.The future is hybrid with augmented organizations.AI ethics is crucial for our future.Responsible AI is ethics in practice.AI governance encompasses ethics, safety, and accountability.Data governance should extend to AI governance.AI will become ubiquitous like big data.Philosophy is going to eat AI.We need a common ethical framework for AI agents.AI ethics is moving faster than our understanding. Sound Bites "It's about data. It's about this thing called AI.""There's a good understanding of the CISO role.""It's not a one and done,...

    1h 18m
  7. 06/05/2025

    Ako Sabir, Transforming Business with Data and AI

    In this episode of Praxi Pod, host Andrew Turner speaks with Ako Sabir about his extensive career in business transformation, focusing on the role of data and technology, particularly in the insurance sector. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities within insurance, the critical importance of data in risk assessment, and the impact of AI on underwriting and claims processes. The conversation also touches on the necessity of regulatory compliance, the evolving awareness of leadership regarding technology, and the balance between innovation and risk management. Ako shares insights on the importance of educating leadership on AI and the cautious approach needed for proof of concepts in integrating new technologies. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of implementing AI and technology in business, emphasising the importance of understanding use cases, operationalisation, and governance. They discuss the challenges faced in regulated industries and the necessity of a structured approach to data and technology strategies. The conversation also touches on the future of AI, the need for responsible use, and the significance of engaging leadership in driving transformation. Takeaways - Ako emphasises the importance of change and transformation in his career. - He has worked across various sectors, focusing on data and technology for business transformation. - Insurance presents unique challenges and opportunities for innovation. - Data is fundamental in understanding risk and pricing in the insurance industry. - AI can significantly enhance underwriting and claims processes. - Regulatory compliance is a major challenge for insurance companies. - Leadership in organisations is increasingly aware of the need for data and AI. - There is a balance to be struck between innovation and risk management. - Organisations must educate their leadership on the implications of AI. - Proof of concepts should be approached with caution, focusing on practical applications. Invest time in understanding use cases before proof of concept. - Operationalising AI requires a clear governance framework. - Engage stakeholders early in the process for successful implementation. - Data quality and trust are critical for AI initiatives. - Business transformation is essential for successful AI adoption. - Leadership engagement amplifies the impact of AI projects. - Avoid chasing trends; focus on practical applications of AI. - Incremental scaling of AI solutions is more effective than large-scale rollouts. - AI should augment human decision-making, not replace it. - The future of AI involves navigating complexities and ensuring accountability. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ako Sabir and The Praxi Pod 03:01 Career Journey and Transformation Focus 06:00 Insights on the Insurance Sector 09:06 Data's Role in Insurance 11:59 Challenges in Financial Processes 14:58 Adoption of AI in Underwriting and Claims 18:03 Navigating Regulatory Compliance 21:04 Leadership and Technology Awareness 24:09 Balancing Innovation and Risk 27:11 Proof of Concepts and AI Integration 36:11 Navigating Technology Implementation Challenges 43:12 Operationalising AI in Regulated Industries 50:55 Transforming Business Through Data and AI 59:29 The Future of AI and Business Transformation

    1h 3m

About

Data is everywhere and growing fast. In an era where 80% of enterprise data remains untapped, and with a projected surge to 175 zettabytes of data by 2025 alongside a $190 billion AI market, the need for data analytics has never been more critical. The Praxi Pod is all about Data, AI and how you can make decisions and a real impact for your business. Talking to Data Leaders across the world to learn and change your game.