Technology

Breaking Down Silos for Data Utilization: Experts Discuss Challenges and Opportunities

At the AI Summit in London 2025, a session focused on breaking down silos for data utilization underscored the profound shifts occurring in the landscape of data management and its broader implications for diverse industries.

Historical Context and Persistent Challenges

Matt Quinn, Vice President and Head of AI at Oracle, provided a historical overview of data-related challenges, highlighting how data silos have long hindered the ability of organizations to fully leverage their data assets. "For years, companies have grappled with the fragmentation of data across various departments, which often leads to inefficiencies and missed opportunities," Quinn remarked.

His insights resonated with the audience, as he detailed the evolution of data management practices and the ongoing battle against these entrenched silos. The discussion shed light on how historical practices have shaped the current data landscape, emphasizing the importance of addressing these legacy issues.

Data Democratization: A Path Forward

Akanksha Arora, Head of Digital and Global Lead for Gen AI at Vodafone, highlighted the challenges associated with data democratization within organizations. Arora emphasized the need for accessible data across all levels of a company, stating, "Data democratization is about empowering employees with the right data at the right time to make informed decisions."

Her perspective underscored the importance of creating an environment where data-driven decision-making is not just reserved for a select few but is a widespread capability within the organization. This shift towards a more inclusive approach to data is seen as a critical step in overcoming silos and fostering innovation.

Strategy, Culture, and the Role of AI

Nadia Abouayoub, Global Trading Pricing & Technology Strategy Leader, emphasized the intertwined nature of strategy and culture in overcoming data silos. "It's not just about the technology; culture and strategy play pivotal roles in how data is utilized within an organization," she stated.

Abouayoub's insights highlighted the necessity of aligning organizational culture with strategic objectives to fully harness the potential of data. The session also explored the transformative potential of AI in data handling, with speakers noting that AI can streamline data cleaning and validation processes, revolutionizing how businesses interact with data on a fundamental level.

Data-Driven Culture: From Vision to Reality

Mariam Masoud, ML Engineering Lead at Mastercard, discussed the impact of fostering a data-driven culture within organizations. She pointed out that while technology is a critical enabler, the real change comes from a cultural transformation that encourages data-driven thinking.

"Investment in data infrastructure and governance is necessary, but equally important is the cultural shift towards a data-driven mindset," Masoud explained. This perspective was supported by discussions on the need for investment in robust data infrastructure and governance frameworks to support this cultural shift.

The Transformative Impact on Supply Chain and Logistics

While the session primarily focused on general business practices, the implications for specific industries, particularly supply chain and logistics, were notable. Breaking down data silos in these sectors can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and transparency.

The integration of AI and data-driven strategies in supply chain management promises to optimize operations, reduce waste, and enhance the overall responsiveness of the logistics network. By leveraging data effectively, companies can anticipate disruptions, streamline operations, and ultimately deliver better value to customers.

  • The session focused on breaking down silos for data utilization.
  • Matt Quinn from Oracle discussed the historical context of data problems.
  • Akanksha Arora from Vodafone highlighted the challenge of data democratization.
  • Nadia Abouayoub from the financial services sector emphasized strategy and culture.
  • Mariam Masoud from Mastercard discussed the impact of a data-driven culture.
  • The panel explored the transformative potential of AI in data handling.
  • AI can streamline data cleaning and validation processes.
  • AI is revolutionizing business interactions with data.
  • Investment in data infrastructure and governance is necessary.
  • A cultural transformation is needed for a data-driven mindset within organizations.

The discussion at the AI Summit in London 2025 provided valuable insights into the ongoing challenges and opportunities associated with breaking down data silos. As industries continue to evolve, the effective utilization of data will remain a key driver of innovation and competitive advantage.