Data Citizens Dialogues

Most companies still treat governance like a compliance chore. Fatimh Al-Jaber of Ooredoo Qatar explains why that mindset breaks down fast once AI, customer decisions and trust are on the line.As head of AI and data governance at one of Qatar’s leading telecom companies, Fatimh shares how Ooredoo shifted from “governing to protect” toward “governing to create value” and why that change turned data governance into a strategic capability, not a back-office obligation. She and Stan from Collibra unpack the real-world tension between speed and control and how AI is exposing governance gaps faster than traditional data programs ever could.You’ll discover:Why AI governance and data governance are two sides of the same coinHow a “maturity curve” can move a team from compliance to monetizationWhat makes telecom data especially messy, from fragmented systems to inconsistent definitionsWhy ownership, lineage and a single business glossary are non-negotiableHow Ooredoo defines AI-ready data with four practical criteria: clear meaning, accountability, quality and traceabilityFatimh also breaks down the human side of the work. Platforms matter, but culture changes only when business leaders take ownership, stewards are named and governance is tied to customer trust. She explains how Qatar’s privacy laws, ISO 42001 alignment and a customer-first brand mindset shape every decision.If you’re trying to build trusted AI, clean up messy data or get governance funded by proving business value, this conversation is a sharp, practical guide. Perfect for data leaders, AI teams and anyone who wants governance to become invisible because it finally works.

AI projects don’t fail because the model is bad. They fail because the context, governance and accountability layers are missing. Corey Wagner and Ravit break down why clean data is only half the battle, and what enterprise leaders need in place before agents can deliver real value.Ravit points to the “context gap” most teams overlook: the same word can mean different things across finance, marketing and operations, and AI will get it wrong if the business meaning isn’t attached. Corey expands that idea into a strategy for turning raw data into trustworthy information by linking it to business terms, policies and regulations so teams can move faster without guessing.You’ll discover why agent governance becomes urgent once you have thousands of autonomous systems running at once, why a registry and accountability structure matter and how human in the loop and human over the loop models help organizations stay in control while scaling.If you’re trying to move AI from pilot to production, this episode gives you a practical lens for doing it with more trust and less chaos.

Unlock the secrets to effective AI prompting and data management that can transform your organization’s decision-making and efficiency. Join Stijn and Maiquel Sampaio de Melo from IDB Invest as they dive into the fundamentals of problem-solving in data and AI. They share practical frameworks you can use today, from defining your problem in a single sentence to understanding your current process and visualizing the ideal outcome. Learn how to think before you prompt, prepare with intention and organize your data workflow so AI performs better under pressure.You will also hear concrete tactics like the six criteria for description quality, five critical questions to ask before using AI and ways to measure business value with clear outcomes. We cover:* Methodology for effective prompt engineering* The role of data quality in AI outcomes* Using questions to guide AI problem-solving* The concept of mise en place in AI preparation* Measuring AI success with clear outcomes* Balancing urgency and thoughtful prompting* The evolution of prompt engineering and problem-solving skillsWatch more Data Citizens Dialogues at collibra.com/podcasts

Effective data and AI governance isn't just about compliance—it’s the foundation for trustworthy, high-impact decision making. In this episode, Fatimh Khalid J.A. Al-Jaber from Ooredoo Qatar reveals how transforming governance into a strategic enabler supercharges AI success and customer trust. Discover how a telecommunications giant shifted from viewing governance as a compliance burden to positioning it as a key driver of innovation and value creation. Fatimh breaks down the practical steps they took, including building a unified data glossary, tracking data lineage and prioritizing high-impact data domains while celebrating measurable progress along the way. Learn how Qatar’s privacy laws and international standards shape a trustworthy, customer-centric data approach not just for compliance but as a strategic differentiator. We cover:* How data governance becomes a strategic advantage* Why trust and accountability matter for AI success* How Ooredoo Qatar supports fast AI deployments* Managing governance across complex telecom systemsSee more Data Citizens Dialogues at collibra.com/podcasts

Most companies are unprepared for AI's rapid evolution and if you do not shift your governance approach now, you will fall behind. In this episode, Joe Wallace from Adobe shares a practical concept called “shift down” that helps teams build AI safety and agility into the foundation so they can innovate without constant approval bottlenecks.Wallace explains governance through a garden analogy. Teams can freely harvest the right data while keeping harmful risks out. He also shows why rigid checklist frameworks can leave organizations audit-ready but risk-blind and why built-in safeguards scale better as AI evolves.You will learn:What the “governance stack” is and how discover, use, protect and orchestrate work togetherWhy “shift down” helps teams move faster with fewer approval delaysHow legal, security and product teams can align around AI at scaleThe risks of weak governance including data leaks, misuse and privacy issuesPractical ways to encourage experimentation and help your team say “just try”If you want to lead in AI without sacrificing control, this episode gives you a clear blueprint for turning governance from a bottleneck into an enabler.

In this episode, we speak with Diahanna Post, Vice President of Data and Analytics Management at Cotality, about the evolving relationship between people, leadership and AI. Diahanna shares how a career rooted in research and data science shaped her approach to asking better questions, building trust and leading teams through major technology shifts.Diahanna also explains why she believes AI should augment people rather than replace them, and how emerging professionals can stand out. What you’ll learn:*Why asking the right question matters more than rushing to the answer*How AI is changing enterprise workflows and leadership expectations*Why trust, vulnerability, and people skills are still essential for great leaders*How to balance technical depth with strategic decision-making*Ways early-career professionals can build credibility in an AI-driven job market*Why AI works best as an augmentation tool, not just a replacement strategy*How one data leader uses AI in real-world work and nonprofit impactWatch this episode for a thoughtful conversation about data leadership, AI adoption, and the human side of technological change.

Discover how leading organizations like PGGM are revamping their data models with frameworks like data mesh to break down bottlenecks and foster active ownership to feed AI systems. Get practical insights on shifting from centralized control to decentralized, product-driven data cultures that empower teams to innovate faster. With Daniëlle Bourgondiën from PGGM Investment Management and Frank Gresnigt from Datashift, we cover:The real-world benefits and pitfalls of adopting data mesh and self-service platformsHow to turn governance into a value-adding force, not just a compliance checkboxThe critical role of organizational culture in AI readiness and data qualityWhy aligning semantic layers and cross-domain coordination is vital for impactful AI modelsPractical steps for building scalable, responsible AI systems in complex organizationsThis episode guides you to think bigger and act smarter in data and AI governance.Expertise from PGGM's data management team and DataShift's transformation specialists provide both strategic foresight and actionable tactics you can use.

Discover how Portbase turned a simple data catalog into a strategic digital twin of Dutch ports, creating clarity for their teams. You’ll learn how Portbase’s data platform acts as a digital mirror, representing the entire flow of goods, ships, and trucks across ports, turning raw data into a real-time digital twin that keeps the economy running. We break down the critical roles of data standards, responsible ownership and transparency, showing how internal language and shared semantics enable agility amid constant change. Eelke Schuurbiers of Portbase shares behind-the-scenes insights into their innovative use of data products, the importance of data quality, and how working with Clever Republic helped accelerate their path to business value. Plus, get an exclusive look at the playful yet visionary use of gamification to drive adoption. With AI emerging as both a challenge and an opportunity, we explore how Portbase incorporates trustworthy policies, experimentation, and governance to stay ahead of the curve. This episode reveals that successful data management isn’t just about tools—it’s about culture, language, and continuous evolution.

The secret to elevating data governance and AI success? It's all about mindset. Gaurav Patole, Principal Data Strategist, Data & AI Governance Specialist at ThoughtWorks, reveals how the principles of physics can revolutionize how organizations handle data quality. In a world flooded with unstructured chaos—PDFs, videos, emails—how do you ensure AI models trust what they see? Gaurav’s innovative 'Newton's laws' for data quality offer a surprisingly simple, yet profoundly powerful framework to align technical practices with business value. You'll discover:Why pushing technical jargon in business conversations causes resistance—and how to flip that dynamicThe real meaning of a data product: the smallest unit of business impact and how to identify itHow organizations tend to fragment data governance—and what steps can unify data at scaleThe evolving role of data marketplaces and AI in simplifying access, ownership and quality controlsInsights from a decade of data mesh experience, including the culture shift needed to make data as a product a realityYou can find Gaurav's book at https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-us/insights/books/data-quality-roi and check out more episodes at Collibra.com/podcasts

Transform your data governance approach by treating it as a brand, not just a policy. In this episode, Adam Coladipietro and Serena Cromarty from British Columbia Lottery Corporation reveal how they shifted their data culture from mandates to motivation through innovative branding, storytelling and user-focused design. Discover how they turned a 281-page strategy deck into an engaging 18-slide interactive experience, winning internal attention. Learn why hiring for curiosity and communication over just technical skill creates a collaborative, empowered data community. If your organization struggles to make data initiatives stick, this episode offers concrete tactics to make it compelling, approachable, and human-centered. Perfect for leaders craving practical strategies to embed data culture deeply into their organization, without the usual noise and resistance. Step beyond traditional compliance and see how brand-building and empathy can unlock your data team's potential.