In this episode of The Databricks Diaries: AI Readiness, Andy Davis sits down with Jessica Simons-Boswell, Enterprise Data Officer at Diligenta, to explore how financial services organisations can embrace AI while operating in a highly regulated, risk-averse environment.

Jessica shares candid insights on:

• Why financial services often lag in AI adoption — and why that’s not always a bad thing
• The cultural and governance challenges of introducing AI in regulated markets
• Practical, value-driven AI use cases like complaint handling and correspondence automation
• How to manage executive enthusiasm without becoming the “blocker” in the room
• Why clean data, strong guardrails, and transparency are essential for safe AI deployment

A thoughtful, pragmatic discussion on balancing innovation, compliance, and cultural change in the journey to AI readiness. Perfect for data leaders, CDOs, and anyone shaping AI strategy in financial services.

In this episode of The Databricks Diaries, Andy Davis speaks with Jack Levy, Head of Data Strategy at Allvue, about what it really takes to prepare for AI. Jack shares why strong data foundations are non-negotiable, how cross-functional teams accelerate adoption, and why governance and guardrails matter more than ever.

From hackathons and prototyping to practical use cases in data normalisation and product development, Jack offers candid insights on building an AI-ready organisation without losing sight of customer value.

Whether you’re a data leader, product strategist, or simply curious about the future of AI in financial services, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-world lessons.

In this episode of The Databricks Diaries, Carole Roberts, Director of Technology and Data at Leeds Building Society, shares her journey to technology leader, and reflects on the pivotal role of data in organisational transformation.

Carole provides candid insights into the cultural aspects of change, the importance of executive buy-in, and the complexities of upskilling teams to match rapid technology advancement. The episode dives deep into Leeds Building Society’s prudent yet ambitious approach to AI adoption, emphasising responsible innovation, ethical considerations, and building a resilient, scalable foundation for future business needs.