The Data Chief

Learn why scaling AI is as much a human challenge as it is a technological one. Stefano Puntoni, Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research and Professor at The Wharton School, examines the limits of data-driven decision making in the age of AI and why insights so often fail to translate into action. He breaks down the psychology behind AI resistance and outlines the leadership and change management strategies needed to turn AI potential into real organizational impact. Key Moments: Why More Data Doesn’t Lead to Better Decisions (02:26): Stefano challenges the assumption that smarter algorithms automatically produce smarter decisions. He argues that decision quality depends on rigorous conceptual thinking before turning to data. Without clearly defining objectives, alternatives, and success criteria, analytics efforts rarely translate into meaningful action. Conversational AI and the Lowering of the Cost of Action (07:26): Stefano explains how conversational AI brings decision makers closer to data by reducing friction. By lowering the cost of experimentation, AI enables managers to test hypotheses in real time instead of waiting days for analysis. This shift moves organizations from analysis paralysis to faster, more confident action. Rethinking Your Role in the Age of AI (17:16): For professionals navigating disruption, Stefano outlines two paths forward. One is becoming a complement to AI by upskilling and using the technology as a productivity multiplier. The other is pivoting toward skills AI is less likely to replace, such as strategy, orchestration, and human judgment. The AWARE Framework: Pairing Technical Rollout with Human Rollout (22:41): Stefano introduces the AWARE framework to help leaders anticipate and manage the human reactions to AI transformation. He argues that every technical implementation must be matched with structured communication, identity support, and organizational alignment. Without this dual-track approach, even well-designed AI systems can fail to gain traction. Change Management, AI Literacy, and the Gap in Organizational Readiness (31:11): Only a small percentage of organizations have formal AI change management programs. Stefano questions whether companies are truly prepared for large-scale AI transformation. He emphasizes that AI literacy, leadership accountability, and structured change management will determine whether AI investments translate into sustained performance. Key Quotes: “ The leaders need to know why we are doing AI. AI is not a strategy; AI is just a tool. So what is it that we're trying to achieve?” - Stefano Puntoni “ I think the problem is that technology is almost like taking all the oxygen from the room. There's so much attention and urgency around the tech itself that we often forget the people around it.” - Stefano Puntoni “You don't want to be the substitute to the technology because if that is what you do, then there's no future. But if you're a complement, the technology might be a multiplier of your productivity.” - Stefano Puntoni Mentions Decision-Driven Analytics: Leveraging Human Intelligence to Unlock the Power of Data The Wall Street Journal: The Boss Has a Message: Use AI or You’re Fired 2025 Report Accountable Acceleration: Gen AI Fast-Tracks Into the Enterprise How AI Affects Our Sense of Self Why Gen AI Feels So Threatening to Workers Conversational AI: The Next Frontier of Digital Platform Monetization Guest Bio  Stefano Puntoni is the Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School. Prior to joining Penn, Stefano was a professor of marketing and head of department at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, in the Netherlands. He holds a PhD in marketing from London Business School and a degree in Statistics and Economics from the University of Padova, in his native Italy. His research has appeared in several leading journals, including Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing, Nature Human Behavior, and Management Science. He also writes regularly for managerial outlets such as Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. Most of his ongoing research investigates how new technology is changing consumption and society, including how humans are adopting and evolving with AI. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Louis DiModugno, Global Chief Data Officer at Verisk and former U.S. Air Force Colonel, builds AI-ready data foundations across 40+ petabytes. He talks about embedding AI into core insurance products, tackling unstructured data and deepfakes, and shifting from governance to observability. Short, practical takes on scaling AI responsibly in a highly regulated industry.

Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP and CEO of Satalia and Conscium, is a long-time AI researcher turned entrepreneur. He discusses agentic AI reshaping enterprise decision-making. He explains why governance and rigorous testing matter. He outlines ‘brand brains’ that produce brand-specific creative content. He contrasts decision problems with mere data or insight issues.

Angie Ruan, CTO of Capital Access Platforms at Nasdaq and veteran engineering leader at PayPal, American Express, and Chime. She describes Nasdaq as a global tech company and reveals the massive data scale behind $90T+ in assets. She lays out how Nasdaq built a unified data intelligence platform and shares an AI-ready playbook for modernizing platforms and separating hype from real value.

Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer at OneDigital who blends tech and people strategy, explains treating AI as coworkers rather than tools. He talks about hiring and onboarding AI like talent. He outlines HR-led change, human supervisors for AI, new AI coaching roles, limits of full automation, and risks of unequal AI access.

In this enlightening discussion, Paul Baier, CEO of GAI Insights, shares insights on how agentic AI is transforming enterprise models and why leadership alignment is crucial for 2026. Jennifer Belissent, Principal Data Strategist at Snowflake, emphasizes the need for high-quality data and the pivotal role of AI managers in modern workplaces. Rory Blundell, CEO of Gravitee, highlights the evolution of middleware to scale agent communication securely. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the AI landscape ahead and the skills necessary to thrive.

In this insightful discussion, Karen Stroup, Chief Digital Officer at WEX, shares how to lead amid uncertainty and foster psychological safety in teams. Noelle Russell, CEO of the AI Leadership Institute, reveals her POET framework for developing ethical AI systems. Ilan Twig, Co-founder of Navan, discusses the importance of integrating AI into workflows while balancing build vs. buy strategies. Together, they explore actionable steps for scaling AI initiatives that prioritize people, trust, and measurable impact.

Cameron Davies, Chief Data Officer at Yum! Brands and former analytics leader at Disney and NBCUniversal, dives into the innovative use of data and AI in the restaurant industry. He emphasizes starting with business problems rather than tech, balancing global scalability with local needs, and the essence of embedding AI literacy throughout the organization. Cameron also highlights Yum!'s partnership with NVIDIA to drive innovation and the importance of change management in AI adoption, ensuring that transformation truly begins with people.

Vedran Karamani, a seasoned data and AI leader at Alghanim Industries, dives into the transformative power of AI in the Middle East. He discusses the importance of AI literacy in the boardroom, using relatable metaphors to educate executives. Vedran emphasizes that not all businesses are ready for AI and outlines the need for change management. He also highlights how data quality will become the key competitive edge as algorithms become commoditized. Finally, Vedran shares insights on local talent development and the region's ambition for innovation.

Ilan Twigg, co-founder and CTO of Navan, an AI-first platform for travel and expense management, discusses transformative AI technologies. He underscores the revolutionary potential of large language models, likening them to the impact of the mouse on computing. Ilan envisions a future where AI services communicate seamlessly to eliminate administrative tasks. He also explores the critical decision of whether to build AI from scratch or partner with existing solutions, advocating for a fresh mindset to embrace innovation.