AI for All: Building the Foundation for Enterprise-Ready Data

LAS VEGAS— In an ever-evolving digital landscape, data is at the heart of unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence. At CES 2025, the panel discussion titled “AI for All: How to Power AI with Enterprise AI-Ready Data”brought together industry leaders to explore how enterprises can build robust data ecosystems to enable transformative AI applications.

Moderated by Juan Carlos Pedreira, the panel featured Tom Baroch, Senior Director of Global Partnerships at Outrider; Hugh Burgin, Americas AI Practice Leader at EY; Traci Gusher, Americas AI and Data Leader at EY; and Bryce Leszczynski, Sr. IT Manager for BI & Tech Transformation at Komatsu.

Data: The Lifeblood of AI Success

"Data is the oxygen of AI," remarked Traci Gusher, emphasizing that without a foundation of clean, accessible, and trustworthy data, enterprises will struggle to realize the full benefits of AI. Bryce Leszczynski echoed this, explaining Komatsu’s success in harmonizing disparate data systems: “Breaking down silos and creating a unified data environment has been key to leveraging AI for operational efficiency and product innovation.”

The panelists agreed that while the promise of AI is immense, the primary bottleneck lies in data preparation. "It’s not about adding AI to existing processes—it’s about rethinking processes with an AI-first mindset,” said Hugh Burgin.

Responsible AI: A Strategic Imperative

A significant portion of the discussion focused on responsible AI, which requires transparency, fairness, and ethical considerations. Traci Gusher noted, “Organizations need an AI compass to align technology usage with their values. For instance, even if a bereavement call could be automated, is it ethical to do so? These decisions define the trust customers and employees place in AI systems.”

The group also touched on governance frameworks that ensure accountability in AI applications. “Transparency is non-negotiable. If someone is interacting with AI, they should know it’s AI,” said Burgin.

Lessons Learned: Data and Adoption

Bryce Leszczynski highlighted three key takeaways from Komatsu’s AI journey:

1. Data Management First: Harmonizing organizational data and leveraging technologies like graph databases to uncover relationships within the data landscape.
2. Process Optimization: Streamlining workflows before introducing AI solutions to maximize the return on investment.
3. Human-Centered Design: Keeping people at the center of AI strategies ensures user adoption and drives collaboration across stakeholders.

Traci Gusher reinforced this, warning against the "use-case whack-a-mole" approach: “Instead of chasing multiple use cases, organizations should focus on how AI can transform their strategic imperatives.”

The Next Frontier: Agentic AI

The panel concluded with a forward-looking discussion on "agentic AI," described by Gusher as "RPA on steroids." This next-generation AI promises to achieve nearly 100% process automation but requires significant advancements in data management and human processes.

“Agentic AI demands a fundamental shift in how organizations view their data,” said Leszczynski. “Graph databases and ontologies will be critical for understanding data relationships and powering this new wave of AI applications.”

Takeaways for Enterprise Leaders

1. Invest in Data Readiness: Building a foundation of AI-ready data is essential for scaling AI solutions.
2. Adopt a Governance Framework: Ethical and transparent AI practices are vital for sustained success.
3. Think AI-First: Rethink processes from the ground up, integrating AI as a core component rather than an add-on.
4. Prepare for Agentic AI: Organizations must modernize their data strategies to unlock the next wave of process automation.

A Call to Action

“AI isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Tom Baroch in his closing remarks. “The companies that succeed will be the ones that embrace data-driven transformation today.”

With actionable insights from leaders in AI and data, the panel provided a roadmap for enterprises looking to harness the transformative power of AI. For businesses at CES 2025 and beyond, the message is clear: the time to act is now.