AI is moving beyond answering questions and into workflows where systems can take action. For enterprise leaders, that raises practical questions about the data supporting those actions, the risks involved, and the role people should continue to play.

Those were among the topics bringing data, AI, and technology executives together for CDO Magazine’s Orlando Executive Boardroom Dinner on October 21 at The Boathouse in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Leaders from financial services, retail, government, and other industries joined the evening to exchange experiences with AI adoption and consider how organizations can prepare their data for more autonomous applications.

When AI Moves Beyond Answering Questions

The Orlando executives considered what changes when organizations begin using AI agents capable of taking action rather than simply responding to prompts.

A central part of that exchange concerned AI-ready data. What should organizations measure before allowing AI systems to act? How can leaders determine whether the information available to an agent is reliable enough to support its decisions?

The group also considered how organizations evaluate the cost and value of deployed agents, manage the risks associated with autonomous systems, and identify opportunities that remain difficult to pursue because the necessary data is not yet ready.

These questions connected the technical requirements of AI with the responsibilities of the people deploying and overseeing it.

The People Behind the Technology

For Christopher Powers, Citi SVP, Head of Business Data & AI Enablement, the opportunity to hear from executives across industries reinforced the importance of keeping people central to AI adoption.

“It was refreshing to have honest discussions with peers across industries about both the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. I was encouraged by the consistent focus on people and the recognition that AI is most effective when paired with human expertise, not substituted for it. As someone who believes that Data is my What and People are my Why, I left cautiously optimistic about a future where technology helps people apply their judgment, creativity, and domain expertise in even more meaningful ways.”

Powers’ reflection adds an important perspective to the questions raised during the evening. As organizations prepare data for increasingly capable AI systems, executives must also consider how those technologies can support the judgment, creativity, and expertise of the people using them.

An Opportunity to Learn From Peers

The Orlando gathering gave executives an opportunity to compare perspectives on AI adoption with leaders working across different industries and organizational environments.

The conversation ranged from the practical requirements of AI-ready data to the decisions organizations face when introducing more autonomous systems.

Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine Managing Director, shared his perspective:

“What stood out about our Orlando dinner was how strongly the conversation connected AI adoption with the people responsible for making it work. Leaders were looking beyond the technology itself and considering what it takes to put AI into practice, from having trusted data to managing risk and keeping people involved in important decisions. These are exactly the kinds of conversations we want to create space for at CDO Magazine, where executives can share experiences, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another.”

Data, AI and Technology Leaders Who Joined the Orlando Conversation:

• Teddy Benson, Travel + Leisure Co. VP, Data Services
• Adelson Bredy, BNY Vice President, Data Analytics & AI Governance (Scrum Leader)
• Jessica Fox, Citi SVP, Analytics & Business Data Enablement
• Jackie Guan, Crate and Barrel SVP, Data Analytics & AI
• Tanya Marchenko, Canadian Forces-CFMWS Deputy Chief Information Officer
• Scott McNeany, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Director, Information Security
• Adhir Mishra, CFMWS Acting Chief Data and Analytics Officer
• Christopher Powers, Citi SVP, Head of Business Data & AI Enablement
• Suhasini Riggs, Fifth Third Bank Data Solution Architect
• Kris Saling, Former US Army Manpower & Reserve Affairs Chief Technology Advisor
• Julia Napolitano, Salesforce VP, Solution Engineering
• Zedi Qureshi, Salesforce Distinguished, Strategic SE
• Emilio Valdes, Salesforce Chief Customer Officer
• Anthony Losanno, CDO Magazine Managing Director

CDO Magazine thanks Informatica from Salesforce for supporting the Orlando Executive Boardroom Dinner and helping bring the local executive community together.