At twoday, we engaged deeply: exploring new technologies, talking to clients and, most importantly, listening to industry shifts that shape the future. Across presentations, panel discussions, and informal conversations, five key themes stood out. Together, they paint a picture of what it will take for organizations to truly harness the power of data and AI.
1. Data Accessibility is the Fast Track to Innovation
A recurring message from speakers and attendees was simple: if people can’t find data, they can’t use it. Organizations need to build systems that allow both technical and non-technical users to explore data easily and safely. Lowering the barriers to data access enables faster experimentation, deeper insights, and better results.
For businesses, this means shifting the focus from “owning data” to activating it. Data platforms and tools must be built with usability in mind, or they risk becoming digital storage closets: expensive, forgotten, and full of potential no one can reach.
2. Right Data at the Right Time, Built on the Right Foundations
While accessibility unlocks potential, it’s meaningless without quality. Poor data undermines AI progress faster than any technological limitation. Whether it's outdated information, unclear ownership, or missing context, these foundational gaps undermine even the most advanced models.
The takeaway? Success isn’t about having all the data, it’s about having the right data, at the right moment, with the right context. High-quality, well-governed data is the essential foundation for everything else. This is where modern platforms like Snowflake, Databricks and Dbt Labs can make a significant impact, offering scalability, unification, and trust across the entire data landscape.
3. Trust and Governance Are Non-Negotiable
If AI is the engine of the future, governance is the guardrail, and it’s becoming mission critical. Snowflake and others emphasized that without trustworthy data and clear governance, organizations struggle to move AI out of the lab and into production.
The old approach, treating governance as a compliance checkbox, is no longer sufficient. Instead, governance must evolve into a strategic enabler. That means frameworks that scale, tools that empower data stewards and business users, and clear roles and responsibilities across the organization.
Gartner’s warning was clear: by 2027, 60% of AI projects will underperform due to weak governance. The companies that will win are those who embed governance from the start, not just to stay compliant, but to stay competitive.
4. Invention * Adoption = Innovation
One of the most powerful insights at the summit came from a simple formula: Innovation = Invention * Adoption. It’s not enough to build clever tools or experiment with AI: you must ensure the solutions actually get used.
That means aligning technology with real business needs. It means educating teams, building a culture of experimentation, and re-skilling the organization to work with data-driven tools. Without adoption, even the best ideas gather dust.
This also means modeling your business, not just your data. Several talks highlighted the importance of strong metadata and shared language, because when your people and your systems speak the same language, AI can drive real value within your business processes.
5. AI is Fast, But People Make It Work
Perhaps the most grounded theme was this: AI technology is evolving faster than most organizations can absorb it. And that’s okay, as long as the focus stays on people. Building a strong data culture, empowering business users, and aligning IT and strategy are the real differentiators in today’s AI race.
Whether it’s through intuitive tooling, re-skilling programs, or just creating more opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, the message is clear: AI doesn’t replace people, it depends on them. The organizations that recognize this will build lasting advantages in the AI-driven future.
Looking Ahead
The summit was a strong reminder that AI isn’t just about algorithms or infrastructure. It’s about creating trust, removing friction, and delivering real outcomes. For our clients and partners, the path forward is both exciting and urgent:
- Make governance a foundation, not a reaction.
- Invest in platforms that unify and scale.
- Educate, empower, and equip your people to lead.
- Focus on adoption, not just invention.
- Build with intent, and build on clean, trusted data.
We’re proud to be part of this conversation and even prouder to help shape what comes next.
Let’s Keep Talking
We’d love to continue the discussions we started at the summit. If you'd like to explore how twoday can help unlock the full potential of your data and AI initiatives, let’s connect.