In this episode of The Databricks Diaries, we’re joined by Denny Lee, Project Management Director of Developer Relations at Databricks, to discuss the future of data engineering, AI innovation, and community building.

Denny shares how Databricks is addressing the global skills gap with initiatives like the Databricks Free Edition, free training programmes, and the MVP programme, empowering developers to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of data science and machine learning.

We also explore the importance of community building through the Apache Spark ecosystem and Dev Connect meetups, and how fostering collaboration drives product improvement. Plus, Denny dives into AI readiness, the value of experimentation, and how organisations can stay ahead in the competitive data and AI landscape.

If you’re passionate about Databricks, developer relations, or the future of AI and data science, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

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In this episode of The Databricks Diaries: AI Readiness Series, Andy Davis speaks with Mukund Pandey. The discussion covers the role of governance as an accelerator, embedding compliance and explainability from day one, and how cultural alignment drives adoption at scale. Mukund also highlights practical AI use cases in risk and margin management, intraday exposure, and generative AI for regulatory efficiency.

In this episode, Andy Davis sits down with Jan Beitner, Director of Data & AI at Inflexion, to explore how private equity–backed organisations can turn AI ambition into measurable business value.

Jan shares a clear, ROI-driven framework for getting “AI ready” — from linking initiatives to value creation plans and embedding accountability at the top, to avoiding the trap of chasing technology without purpose.

They also discuss why 95% of AI projects fail to deliver ROI, how to identify automation and product-feature use cases that actually pay off, and why culture, process mapping, and change management matter more than tooling.

Whether you’re in data leadership or just starting your AI journey, this episode will help you refocus your strategy around what really counts — value, accountability, and measurable impact.

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.

AI's here – but are we actually ready? In this episode, I chat with Merve Alanyali, Head of Data Science at AXA UK, about what real AI readiness looks like.

We unpack why solid infrastructure matters (don’t build on a swamp), the myth of “quick wins”, and how to bring your people with you on the journey. We also dive into how AI will reshape the way we learn, work, and grow – and what that means for the next generation of data professionals.

Andy Davis speaks with McKinley Hayden, Director of Data Value & Strategy at the Financial Times, about making AI readiness real in a newsroom where trust matters; they unpack the FT’s AI policy and organisation-wide fluency programme, a cross-functional transformation model and impact framework, and practical wins such as AskFT (built with Anthropic) and smarter comment moderation—alongside clear-eyed advice on avoiding hype, measuring value beyond “time saved”, and why governance and ethics must be owned in-house.

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