DMRadio Podcast

Live from the Databricks Data + AI Summit at the Moscone Center, this DMRadio episode kicks off with a high-energy segment featuring Ari Kaplan and a deep dive into the risks of handing proprietary data to public LLMs. The conversation explores safer alternatives like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and the power of enterprise knowledge graphs to fuel private, secure AI solutions. Then we shift gears with Mark Stevens of Row 64, discussing the critical need for real-time data visualization—especially in telco, cybersecurity, and smart city planning. From massive-scale data ingestion to digital twins, this episode brings you the pulse of what's next in AI and data strategy.

Join this episode of DM Radio as host Eric Kavanagh explores the critical — and timely — topic of AI governance. With expert guest Todd Henley of PaperKite.ai, the discussion dives into the rise of agentic AI, the implications of Salesforce's acquisition of Informatica, and the evolving data infrastructure landscape.  From the feeding frenzy around AI-ready data to the need for tighter process control, this episode unpacks the convergence of ethics, security, privacy, and automation in the AI age. Tune in to understand why getting governance right could mean the difference between innovation and chaos.

Dive into this episode of DM Radio as host Eric Kavanagh interviews Sean Brehm and Dr. Moshik Cohen from Luceon about the complex world of global industrial surveillance. Learn how modern sensor networks — from satellites to radar systems — collect and process massive volumes of real-time data to detect and defend against emerging threats.  Sean and Moshik will explain the challenges of identifying threats in a world where every data point could signal danger, and how Luceon is building systems to condense space and time into actionable intelligence. Tune in for a fascinating look at how signal processing, physics, and AI intersect to safeguard nations at unprecedented scale.

Despite the data boom, 76% of enterprise leaders admit to making decisions without it - simply because accessing it is too hard. Join this episode of DM Radio as host Eric Kavanagh interviews Steven Griffith of Sisense. They'll explore new research revealing the hidden costs of digital friction and analytics bottlenecks - and how embedded, AI-powered analytics are finally bridging the gap between insight and action. Tune in to learn how leading organizations are turning their data into real decisions.

Join this special DM Radio episode as we explore the latest innovations at Boomi, live from Boomi World in Dallas. Host Eric Kavanagh chats with Mani Gill, Boomi's VP of Data and AI, about the company's bold shift toward AI orchestration and the launch of Agent Studio. He's joined by Ariel Pohoryles of the newly acquired Rivery team, who shares how their technology strengthens Boomi's data pipeline and connectivity - especially for enterprise mainstays like SAP. With a focus on seamless integration and AI-driven automation, Boomi is redefining the future of enterprise tech.

The endless excitement around Agentic AI might seem to eclipse the traditional blocking and tackling of data management, but don't be fooled. The fundamentals of working with data are now more important than ever. If anything, the lure of AI puts added pressure on teams to button down their data pipelines and move closer to optimal data orchestration, whether for data warehousing, RAG models, or training the next generation of deep learning modules. Register for this episode of InsideAnalysis to learn best practices for getting your data house in order! Host @eric_kavanagh will explain why Responsible AI starts and ends with data quality. He'll be joined by Ariel Pohoryles and Mani Gill of Boomi, who will demonstrate why optimal data flows will be crucial for success with AI. Attendees will learn: the power of data orchestration for optimizing AI why a platform approach to data management is crucial the importance of feeding AI Agents with trusted, real-time data how organizations can overcome data inertia to catch the AI train

Join this episode of DMRadio as host Eric Kavanagh sits down with Larry Yang of Phononic to explore how solid-state cooling is transforming the future of data centers. As AI workloads push power consumption and heat generation to new extremes, Phononic's thermoelectric technology offers a compact, energy-efficient alternative to traditional cooling systems. Learn how innovations in material science, hardware integration, and custom design are enabling faster, greener data centers — and why this shift matters for the future of AI infrastructure. Tune in for an inside look at the cool tech keeping your servers from overheating.

Join this episode of DMRadio as host Eric Kavanagh welcomes cloud strategist David Linthicum to explore the fascinating world of large language models—a "very efficient rabbit hole" of information consumption. Dive into the evolving role of the cloud, the promise of Augentic AI, and how LLMs are reshaping enterprise technology with unprecedented efficiency and scale. Tune in for sharp insights and thoughtful commentary on the future of intelligent systems.

Join this episode of DMRadio as host Eric Kavanagh talks with Brooke Hartley Moy of InFactory about the critical importance of grounding large language models (LLMs) to improve their accuracy and reliability. Explore real-world strategies for reducing hallucinations, the role of context-rich data, and how businesses can ensure trustworthy AI outputs. Tune in to learn how grounding transforms LLM performance from impressive to impactful.

Tune in to this episode of DMRadio with host Eric Kavanagh and Sean Michael Brehm of Spectral Capital discussing the evolution of data management and the transformative power of quantum computing.  Learn insights on decentralized data, the need for modern data centers, and the role of qubits in advancing computing capabilities. Explore the future of real-time data processing, the impact of large language models, and the integration of quantum algorithms with classical systems.  Don't miss this deep dive into the cutting edge of technology, where data meets innovation and quantum computing paves the way for a more secure and efficient future.

Join this episode of DM Radio as host Eric Kavanagh interviews Max Howell and Timothy Lewis from tea.xyz about the critical role of open source in modern technology. They explore the challenges developers face in sustaining open-source projects, the importance of fair compensation, and how tea.xyz aims to revolutionize funding models for open-source contributors. With open-source software powering much of the digital world, finding sustainable solutions to support developers is more crucial than ever.

In an era where real-time decision-making is a serious competitive advantage, streaming-first architectures are revolutionizing how organizations process and act on data. Unlike traditional batch-oriented systems, streaming platforms like Apache Kafka, Redpanda, Apache Flink, and Apache Pulsar enable continuous data ingestion, transformation, and analysis at scale. These technologies empower businesses to break free from the limitations of periodic data updates, unlocking the ability to react instantly to events, personalize customer experiences in real-time, and drive automation with high-velocity insights. By decoupling producers and consumers through scalable, event-driven pipelines, streaming-first architectures not only enhance system resilience but also pave the way for a more agile, intelligence-driven enterprise. Register for this episode of DM Radio to learn how today's innovators are leveraging this rapidly evolving discipline.

Join this episode of DM Radio as host Eric Kavanagh explores the world of IoT and eSIM technology with Alejandro Blanco from Teal Communications. Learn how eSIM is revolutionizing device connectivity, enabling seamless carrier switching, and simplifying supply chains. From tracking fleets to managing remote assets, eSIM is proving essential in an increasingly connected world. Tune in to discover the latest advancements and real-world applications of this game-changing technology!

What part of your business can be wrong 20% of the time? Sales? Fulfillment? Accounting? The obvious answer is that 80% accuracy is a non-starter for most aspects of the modern enterprise. That should be cause for concern when leveraging Large Language Models. Yes, they are amazing, and they're getting better. But guardrails are required to make sure your GenAI outputs don't go off the rails. Register for this episode of DM Radio to hear Bloor Group CEO Eric Kavanagh explain key components of LLMs and why they're different from traditional databases and information systems. He'll explain what they do well, where they have issues, and how you can design effective Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) models to optimize the outputs of GenAI engines. Also joining the show will be David Sweenor, Author of TinyTechGuides; and Daniel Bukowski, CTO for data². Both will offer deep insights about how to work with LLMs, and specifically how to improve accuracy to acceptable levels for the enterprise with Graph RAG.

Live from TDWI West in Las Vegas, DMRadio host Eric Kavanagh dives into the latest innovations in data management and security. Joined by Jack Rowe (Tonic.ai), Chris Adamson (TDWI), and Mark Crayton (CSA), the panel explores cutting-edge approaches to data privacy, governance, and AI-driven analytics. From synthetic data to emerging best practices in cybersecurity, this episode delivers expert insights on navigating the complex data landscape. Don't miss this dynamic discussion with top industry leaders!

How can we make AI models more reliable and accurate? Tune in to this episode of DM Radio as we explore Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Graph RAG—two innovative approaches that keep large language models grounded, relevant, and free from hallucinations. Host Eric Kavanaugh welcomes Philip Rathle, CTO of Neo4j, and Jon Brewton, CEO of data², to discuss how knowledge graphs enhance AI's ability to deliver precise, explainable, and context-aware insights.

The nexus of automation and AI promises to revolutionize how business gets done. But there is no effective AI strategy without a well-executed data strategy. Organizations cannot bypass analytics when implementing GenAI applications, and the role of the human in the loop is particularly distinct when it comes to AI agents. This shift requires not just changes in technology but also in user mindset and data governance. Check out this episode of DM Radio to hear Host @eric_kavanagh interview Michael Kravec of Blue Yeti, who will share his perspectives on how to increase your chances of success in the AI Era.

Join this episode of DM Radio, as host Eric Kavanagh dives into the transformative power of AI agents with Nate Nichols of Salesforce. Explore AgentForce, Salesforce's cutting-edge AI layer, and how it revolutionizes analytics by seamlessly integrating insights into business workflows. Learn how AI-driven recommendations enhance decision-making, improve automation, and drive measurable business outcomes. Find out more about the evolving role of analytics teams and the governance strategies needed to manage AI agents effectively.

Join this episode of DMRadio as host Eric Kavanagh and special guest Tony Asaro from Hammerspace break down the buzz around DeepSeek, the AI model that sent shockwaves through the industry. Is it really a game-changer, or just another headline-grabber? We'll explore the impact on Nvidia, the economics of AI training, and how cutting-edge data orchestration is reshaping the landscape. Get ready for a deep dive into the future of AI—no panic necessary!

Join this DMRadio episode to hear Danielle LeBlanc of DiKayo Data share her perspective as a millennial data enthusiast exploring innovative ways to work with open-source datasets and modern tools like Tableau and SQL. Learn about the importance of staying open-minded, focusing on meaningful insights like conversions over vanity metrics, and embracing continuous learning to navigate the ever-evolving analytics landscape.

How much innovation can the analytics industry stand? The folks at Databricks are pushing that envelope! With AI at every layer of the stack, it's like an optimization party and all stakeholders are invited. The engineers at DataChat have been busy as well, leveraging Large Language Models to let their clients have that "conversation with their data" just like we've always imagined. Learn more on this episode of DM Radio!

The cloud gets more crowded every day. From major hyperscalers to mid-sized hosting providers, from the edge all the way back to on-prem, there are challenges and opportunities everywhere. Navigating that world and being able to make the most of it, requires that organizations get savvy with their tools. Cloud-native is the vision, but getting there takes time and effort. Find out how the most forward-looking companies are addressing this business need as Host @eric_kavanagh interviews Anirban Sengupta, CTO of Aviatrix.   

From accelerated computing to expedited results, the AI market continues to blow minds and open doors. And thanks to all the gamers around the world who created a massive market for Graphic Processing Units (GPUs), we now have massively parallel processing capabilities that are accelerating everything from art to science to research and development. What's the latest in this fast-evolving universe? Find out on this episode of DM Radio as Host @eric_kavanagh interviews Dion Harris of NVIDIA!

Data Science and Data Warehousing would seem to be two peas in a pod! Both disciplines focus on generating valuable data-driven insights to optimize business decisions. And yet at many organizations, they are run by different groups that often don't even talk to each other. That's likely changing soon, in part because of advances in both worlds. Learn more on this episode of DM Radio!

Every company needs an Information Strategy group! That's the consensus among industry analysts and educators, especially as GenAI takes the world by storm. Learn more in this conversation between DM Radio Host Eric Kavanagh, and Doug Llewellyn of The Data Society Group as they talk Data Governance and Information Strategy!

You can't optimize what you don't understand. For many organizations, key business processes fall into this category. That's often because processes span more than one enterprise system. But a rising discipline is helping to solve for this very serious challenge: Process Mining is helping companies undertand, define, and then redefine business processes as needed. Learn more on this episode of DM Radio!

Building AI Assistants and Agents for mission-critical enterprise applications presents challenges related to accuracy, security, and explainability. An effective end-to-end Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) platform can mitigate AI "hallucinations," reduce bias, and ensure high-precision, contextually accurate outputs. This enhances compliance with copyright standards and delivers consistently trustworthy results. Robust security measures, including access controls, defenses against prompt injection attacks, and adherence to SOC2 and HIPAA compliance requirements, are essential for protecting sensitive data. Additionally, explainability for results and actions aids compliance, simplifies troubleshooting, and builds trust in AI-driven applications. Such a platform should offer sophisticated capabilities, extending beyond basic vector search by combining semantic and lexical retrieval, advanced reranking, real-time updates, and flexible user-defined functions, while remaining easy to use through a simple API. This empowers developers to build high-performing AI-driven applications without needing deep expertise in complex RAG systems. By integrating a plug-and-play RAG solution, enterprises can lower costs, simplify custom solutions, and benefit from ongoing model and infrastructure updates, all while maintaining compliance and scalability through flexible deployment options like SaaS, on-premises, or VPC hosting. Learn more on this episode of DM Radio!

It's that time of year again, when the ghosts and goblins of failed data projects haunt executives around the world! And for the first time in years, we hear from Vincent Price Kavanagh, who tells tales of horror in the data world! The miser of all things data also spoke with a veritable IT Super-Heroine, whose name literally stems from the Taj Mahal and an ancient Mesopotamian Goddess, none other than Mimi Shalash of Splunk! The two dove into the dark and scary world of downtime caused by hackers and hacks... or sometimes, by ghosts in the machines! Learn more, if you dare, on this episode of DM Radio!

Everyone loves a good highlight reel! But unless you're a real pro in the editing booth, getting that perfect pitch takes serious time and effort. Those days are now officially over, at least for the Liverpool Football Club! They're now using Wasabi AiR to supercharge their video editing prowess! The legendary club's massive global fan base will have even more to crow about now, as the outfit's editors have the tracks greased for rapid-fire creation of amazing content. Learn more on this episode of DM Radio as Host @eric_kavanagh interviews Liverpool SVP of Digital, Drew Crisp, and Wasabi CMO, Michael Welts!

The race is on! Who can train the best models fastest, and most efficiently? Massive amounts of data are needed, so getting the movement right makes all the difference. Register for this episode of DM Radio to learn how the fusion of High Performance Computing and Data Orchestration is fundamentally changing the entire arc of enterprise data movement. Host @eric_kavanagh will interview David Flynn and Molly Presley of Hammerspace, along with Matthew Shaxted of Parallel Works. They'll discuss how a Global Name Space can overlay any data source, on-prem or in the cloud, thus creating a high-speed conduit right to the processors.

Can a streaming data architecture really underpin a commercial bank? Short answer is yes! Check out this episode of DM Radio to hear how Citizens Bank is restructuring its entire information architecture to run on Kafka. DM Radio Host @eric_kavanagh sat down with Anand Vijai and Sudhakar Gopal to learn how they're using streaming data to reinvent the flow of information for the bank. Also in this episode, Ryan Wright of thatDot talks about the nexus of graph technology and streaming data, explaining how Advanced Persistent Threats can be tackled in a new and compelling way. Closing the episode, Sanjeev Mohan of SanjMo shares his insights on streaming versus batch data.

They said that Data Scientist was the sexiest job today, but what do *they* know? There are countless cool jobs in data these days! From engineers to analysts, across all industries, data pros are rocking! Find out more on this episode of DM Radio!

The Generative AI revolution is transforming how organizations operate, unlocking new use cases across industries and employee workflows. However, challenges such as security, legal compliance, and demonstrating return on investment (ROI) hinder widespread adoption. One approach for solving some of these issues uses a security orchestration layer, enabling organizations to confidently connect any data source with any generative AI model. This approach lets businesses leverage the power of GenAI while maintaining control and confidentiality. Check out this episode of DMRadio to learn more as Host @eric_kavanagh interviews Oz Wasserman of Opsin. They'll discuss how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) can be used to optimize the outputs of Large Language Models (LLMs). Combining contextual information with ongoing improvements in foundational models, RAG delivers superior results, ensuring organizations achieve tangible ROI with GenAI investments. Security features like role-based access control (RBAC), auditing, and anonymization can be used to safeguard data privacy and enhance security.

The legendary database guru Dr. Michael Stonebraker said nearly 20 years ago that "one size does not fit all." He was talking about database modes, and was pushing Vertica back then, a column-oriented database that was purpose built for analytics. Today, there are hundreds of databases on the market, including multi-modal databases that enable different architectures on the same foundation. Check out this episode of Future Proof to learn more as Host @eric_kavanagh interviews Avthar Sewrathan of Timescale DB!

Everyone keeps talking about data governance these days. And luckily, it's more plausible than ever! But what are the component parts of a data governance program? How do you develop a plan, and then execute?   Find out on this episode of DM Radio! Host @eric_kavanagh speaks to veteran Data Governance leader, Jarrel Jimmerson, and Athena Solutions Consultant, Aaron Wilson!

Make no mistake: AI will change everything in enterprise computing. Managing that disruption effectively will require an open mind, lots of insights, a deep understanding of your existing systems, and a flexible strategic roadmap. How big a deal is it? Check out this episode of DM Radio to find out! Host @eric_kavanagh will give a presentation, then interview several guests, including Mike Vanca of SmartAction, Dave Duggal of Enterprise Web, and Amir Hartman of Praxis AI.

Ask a good question, get a trustworthy answer! That's the promise of the latest tech in the AI/LLM space. Using "anchors of truth" via embeddings, combined with clear citations for the answers provided, this platform is revolutionizing the entire Decision Support industry. Check out this special episode of DM Radio to learn about the long-sought fusion of unstructured and structured data for Analytics. Host @eric_kavanagh will be joined by Athena Solutions CEO Alex Kangoun, and Field CTO Ryan Welsh of Qlik. They'll each deliver 10-min presentations on the subject, followed by our weekly radio show.

The leap to quantum computing can seem incredily daunting because it represents a dramatic shift in enterprise technology. Just as GenAI took the business world by storm, so too will quantum, but with deeper implications. The big questions are when and how. One company that understands the nature and significance of quantum's potential is Spectral Capital. Led by CEO Sean Brehm, a serial innovator in Blockchain and Authentic Intelligence, this firm is building a Quantum Bridge Program to pave the way for companies to leverage this powerful tech. The bridge isn't just about cost; it's about access and adoption. This includes leveraging classical computing hardware, quantum-inspired algorithms, and hybrid systems. By focusing on practical applications and lowering barriers to entry, Spectral Capital ($FCCN) aims to accelerate the quantum revolution and bring its immense potential within reach.  Register for this special episode of DM Radio to learn about: * The material science that underpins Quantum * What kinds of challenges Quantum will solve * The component parts of the Quantum Bridge * How organizations can get started now

Any AI solution will only be as strong as its foundation. That's because the architecture for AI has many moving parts, any one of which can throw a wrench in the works. There's the training pipeline, the inference pipeline, the models, the feedback and more. Solving the data challenge with unified access can go a long way, especially if security and governance are baked in. You still need to choose the right engine, and these days there are more choices than ever. Find out how some of the biggest companies in the world are addressing these issues on this special episode of DM Radio! Host @eric_kavanagh will be joined by Starburst CEO and Co-Founder Justin Borgman, along with Estuary Co-Founder David Yaffe, and special guest Vrashank Jain of Dell. The show will start with a 10-min presentation by Starburst about the ideal information architecture for AI, followed by a lively roundtable discussion.

They're small, powerful and remarkable agile. They can reconcile based upon dynamic feeds of data. And they promise to revolutionize computing. But how will they be managed? Optimized? Audited? That's what the folks at August Data are working on! Check out this episode of DM Radio as Host @eric_kavanagh interviews Dave Brewster!

The pace and scale of modern business puts traditional data architectures on their heels. To keep user-facing apps running smoothly, companies need a new way to observe and address critical issues. That's the focus of Apach Pinot, an open-source distributed database specifically designed for real-time analytics. It excels in providing low-latency query responses even at high throughput, making it ideal for scenarios where immediate insights from massive amounts of data are essential. How does it work, and how can it help you? Check out this episode of DM Radio to find out! Host @eric_kavanagh will interview Kishore Gopalakrishna of StarTree, and Hyoun Park of Amalgam Insights.

Make storage sexy again! With the explosion of data, storage issues have become more critical than ever. Join us for this episode of DMRadio as we delve into the world of data storage with industry legend Eric Herzog of InfiniDat. Discover the secrets to achieving robust cyber storage security, unparalleled performance, high availability, and rock-solid reliability. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of data storage technology!

My, how times have changed! In just 10 short years, Kubernetes has grown from an aspirational open-source project into a full-blown enterprise juggernaut. Many an enterprise software vendor went back to the drawing board to refactor their solution to run via containers. And with cloud nativity now a strategic enterprise goal, it's safe to say that K8s is here to stay. What does this mean for your organization? Check out this episode of DM Radio to find out! Host @eric_kavanagh will speak with Murli Thirumale of Pure, whose company just published a report on this phenomenon, The Voice of Kubernetes Experts Report 2024. Findings include: * Over the next 5 years, 80% of new applications will be built in cloud-native platforms; * 86% of organizations are choosing to build in hybrid cloud; * More than half (58%) of organizations plan to migrate some of their VM workloads to Kubernetes, with 65% planning to migrate VM workloads within the next two years; * 96% of respondents state they already have platform engineering teams to increase the scalability and flexibility of their apps.

As sources proliferate and business demands increase, the pressure on data teams grows by the day. The reality on the ground (and in the cloud) is apparent: Traditional data strategies must adapt! One solution that's gaining traction is a data fabric, a metadata-driven architecture designed to unify disparate data sources and streamline processes. It creates a unified view of an organization's information assets by integrating, governing, and securing data across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments. How can your organization benefit from this overarching data strategy? Check out this special episode of DM Radio to find out! Alla Zaykin of Athena Solutions will give a presentation about their methodology for implementing a data fabric. Robert Schoenfeld of Qlik will then do a deep dive on Qlik's Data Fabric. Host @eric_kavanagh will then lead a conversation about the component parts of an enterprise data fabric, how they come together, and the business benefits that will be generated. Attendees will learn: • What constitutes a data fabric from both an IT and business perspective • How this approach simplifies the creation of data products • Why automated workflows are ideal for improving data quality and governance • How to get started mapping your data fabric journey

As sources proliferate and business demands increase, the pressure on data teams grows by the day. The reality on the ground (and in the cloud) is apparent: Traditional data strategies must adapt! One solution that's gaining traction is a data fabric, a metadata-driven architecture designed to unify disparate data sources and streamline processes. It creates a unified view of an organization's information assets by integrating, governing, and securing data across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments. How can your organization benefit from this overarching data strategy? Check out this special episode of DM Radio to find out! Alla Zaykin of Athena Solutions will give a presentation about their methodology for implementing a data fabric. Robert Schoenfeld of Qlik will then do a deep dive on Qlik's Data Fabric. Host @eric_kavanagh will then lead a conversation about the component parts of an enterprise data fabric, how they come together, and the business benefits that will be generated. Attendees will learn: • What constitutes a data fabric from both an IT and business perspective • How this approach simplifies the creation of data products • Why automated workflows are ideal for improving data quality and governance • How to get started mapping your data fabric journey