Data before AI: DAMA UK Northern Region

I'm finally getting the time to reflect on the DAMA UK Northern - Data Before AI event that I co-hosted on behalf of DAMA UK with Affinity Reply last week.....and what a HOT yet amazing day it was. It was great to spend the day with like-minded people and a fun group at that.

We started the day with a presentation on "Data Modernisation for AI" with Savvi Vijayakumaraguru discussing the key challenges organisations face in data management when trying to scale AI, where data teams need to focus and how to translate the the business value in making the changes required. The presentation certainly sparked lots of discussions and questions within the room and set the theme for the day.

Donna O'Neill presented on how Flutter UK&I have transitioned from a Data Governance to a Data Enablement Office highlighting the changes that have been made across People, Processes and Technology to become data enablers covering the organisations defensive and offensive needs. 

I facilitated a panel discussion with Diane Elvers, Dr. Adetokunbo Ajibola CCDOiQ CDMP DCAM MDQM and Thomas Scott-Coombes on "All things Data Products" discussing areas such as changes that need to be made within organisations to speed-up the delivery of data products and how data products are being utilised to scale AI.

We had a DAMA UK quiz during the break and Abdur-Rahman Ridwan was the lucky winner of 3 books - The Data & AI Literacy Bible, Effective Data Governance and of course......the latest DAMA-DMBOK. 

Lastly we had a interactive workshop in groups discussing "Data Management for AI" to understand the challenges organisations are facing and working together on solutions.

After that we all had a well-deserved drink and wasted around 10 pints of beer as none of us can pull a decent pint.

I would like to thank Affinity Reply for being amazing hosts from start to finish, thank you to all our presenters/panellists and to everyone who attended. I hope you found the day beneficial and I look forward to seeing you all at future events.

Sarah Higham, DAMA UK Vice Chair