Toronto CDAO Executive Summit

The need to overcome risks and barriers to AI adoption is delaying results in many organizations, leading to unmet business expectations for AI. Gartner predicts that through 2025, at least 30% of GenAI proof of concept projects will be abandoned due to poor data quality, inadequate risk controls, escalating costs or unclear business value. So how can CDAOs and heads of data succeed in scaling AI initiatives to maximize benefits for the long term?

Join this session to discuss:

• Scaling responsible AI and the extension to Gen AI
• Connecting AI investment to the business value realized
• Aligning organizational capability and capacity to scale AI and Gen AI solutions

Creating a data analytics strategy with well architected data is essential to enabling an organization to successfully use data to differentiate decisions and create a competitive advantage. Ensuring that data is easily accessible, scalable, and well governed allows organizations to break down silos, unify their data and create stronger analytic solutions. This session will touch on many elements to building a successful data analytics strategy, with the initial focus on partnerships with technology and a strong foundation in data.

Join this session to learn more about:

• Decomposing data challenges and building a stronger data foundation
• Connecting the gaps between marketing, product, sales and data
• Quantifying the value of data to drive momentum in data analytics strategies

 As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, CDAOs must adapt data architecture to drive agility, cost efficiency and scalability. Nitin Mathur, AVP of Data Platform & Cloud Engineering, will share how they leverage cloud technology and tools to minimize downtime, mitigate risk and ensure a smooth migration of their on prem data platform to cloud.

Join this session to explore:

• Tracking and achieving cloud objectives
• Scaling cloud to meet evolving business needs
• Enhancing business value and customer experience with a cloud strategy

Aligning data strategy to business strategy is a critical imperative for CDAOs. To do this effectively, data leaders must measure and communicate the impact of their data and analytics initiatives — integrating the value into the fabric of the organization.

Join this session to discuss:

• Demonstrating ROI of D&A initiatives to critical stakeholders
• Communicating the value of data practices across the organization
• Storytelling to connect business problems and data solutions

To overcome data context and self-serve technology challenges, D&A leaders must ensure the workforce has the skills and knowledge needed to thrive. While some are establishing data academies, others are weaving data literacy initiatives into their overall D&A strategy.

Join this session to discuss:

• Assessing and evaluating the current skills within the workforce
• Creating buy-in to drive data fluency across the enterprise
• Inspiring a data-driven mindset from the top down

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Leveraging machine-learning algorithms to generate insights from vast amounts of data can be a powerful way to automate and optimize complex tasks, assist front-line decision-making and ultimately improve business outcomes. However, successful implementation of machine learning capabilities requires careful planning, specialized skills and ongoing evaluation and refinements. To fully realize the benefits of AI-based transformation, organizations must invest in quality data, advanced analytics tools and a culture of collaboration.

Join this session as CDAO’s discuss ways to:

• Extract data from unrealized data assets and apply insights to real-world challenges in public safety
• Leverage AI/ML to automate processes and increase efficiency
• Foster a culture of collaboration to drive your transformation goals

Innovation and security often appear at odds, but in today’s landscape they must coexist to ensure a company’s success. By fostering collaboration between AI, analytics and security teams, it’s possible to drive innovation without compromising safety, enabling growth and protection to work in harmony.

Join us to learn about:

• Collaborating between AI, analytics and security for innovation
• Balancing AI advancements with strong data protection
• Leading secure digital transformation efforts

As Generative AI becomes a focal point, CDAOs must now spearhead AI initiatives, expanding far beyond the traditional scope of the role. This shift demands a new set of skills at the intersection of data management and AI innovation. 

Join us to discuss how to:

• Create strong partnerships between AI experts and executives to produce tangible business value
• Elevate data quality to ensure your data fuels, not hinders, advanced AI models
• Implement robust frameworks to tackle bias, promote transparency, and establish accountability

 Data democratization empowers individuals in organizations to access, analyze and utilize data for decision-making and innovation. Yet, challenges persist in ensuring data reliability, security and fostering a culture of utilization. CDAOs lead this transformation, navigating governance complexities and championing transparency and collaboration.

Join this roundtable discussion as CDAOs discuss how to:

• Strategically navigation of governance and privacy regulations
• Empowering your workforce to embrace self-service data
• Innovative approaches to overcome data utilization challenges