We’re excited to bring you the third and final episode of Executive Spotlight, our series featuring Denodo executives and thought leaders shaping the future of data and AI.
In this episode, we're once again joined by Alberto Pan, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer and Ravi Shankar, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer to unpack the final set of predictions from Denodo’s 2026 Data Predictions Report. The discussion focuses on what will truly determine AI success in 2026 - measurable ROI, strong AI and data governance, the rise of Autonomous BI, and the often-overlooked human side of AI adoption.
Key Insights from This Episode
- Prediction #7 - ROI Becomes the Gatekeeper for AI and Cloud Spend: As the AI hype fades, boards and CFOs will demand measurable returns. By 2026, AI and cloud initiatives will move forward only if they clearly demonstrate business impact - such as cost savings, faster decisions, or revenue growth.
- Prediction #8 - AI Governance Depends on Strong Data Governance: Effective AI governance cannot exist without solid data governance. As AI becomes embedded in core processes, organizations must ensure systems are explainable, auditable, and safe - making trusted data foundations a non-negotiable requirement.
- Prediction #9 - Autonomous BI Redefines Analytics Through AI Agents: Autonomous BI enables AI agents to plan analyses, access enterprise data, detect patterns, and explain results with full lineage. This shift transforms analysts from report builders into strategic advisors who guide insights and decisions.
- Bonus Prediction #10 - Human Readiness Becomes the Real AI Bottleneck: As AI capabilities accelerate, human adoption becomes the limiting factor. Real value depends on trust, skills, and cultural readiness - supported by enablement, governance, and human-in-the-loop workflows that help employees confidently work with AI.
Why This Matters
By 2026, successful AI adoption will no longer be defined by experimentation or technical sophistication alone. It will depend on measurable ROI, strong governance foundations, democratized intelligence, and people who are equipped to work alongside AI. Organizations that align technology, governance, and human readiness will be best positioned to scale AI responsibly and sustainably.
🎧 Tune in to the final episode of Denodo’s 2026 Data Predictions series to learn how enterprises can move from AI ambition to real-world impact - and prepare for the next phase of intelligent transformation.
Visit the Denodo Data Bites Podcast Series page to check out more episodes.
