Yesterday, Databricks welcomed around two thousand attendees at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam for the Dutch edition of their Data + AI World Tour. The event, one of the largest in Northern Europe for Databricks, focused on generative AI, a technology rapidly gaining traction in organizations worldwide. The central theme of the gathering was trust in AI — a fundamental component that Databricks deems essential for the effective and responsible use of AI.
Throughout the event, Databricks underscored the importance of a reliable operational model and solid governance around data. According to the company, AI cannot be effective without these critical elements. Databricks now supports over 12,000 customers globally, with more than 7,000 employees, including the newly added team from Tabular, a data technology company recently acquired by Databricks. In the EMEA region alone, Databricks collaborates with over 200 partners and has grown by 70% in workforce, now employing over a thousand people.
Data as a Team Sport
One of the recurring messages at the event was that data is no longer solely the domain of data analysts. Success in AI and data analytics requires a diverse team of professionals with varying skills and expertise. This theme was highlighted in presentations by several Databricks customers, who discussed the benefits of a multidisciplinary team and its impact on AI implementation.
“Companies investing in AI outperform those that do not,” stated Databricks. The company aims to democratize access to AI and highlighted the importance of providing accessible tools for companies of all sizes. “Everyone wants AI, but success depends on having data well-organized. Data is the fuel for AI, and without a solid foundation, AI cannot deliver reliable results,” one speaker explained.
Data Intelligence and the Importance of Central Governance
A crucial part of Databricks’ vision for AI and data is ‘data intelligence.’ With the recent acquisition of Tabular, developer of the Iceberg data format, Databricks can now combine the technologies of Delta Lake and Iceberg. The company advises organizations to store their data independently and manage it through central governance, ensuring maximum control and security. Data intelligence not only encompasses access to data but also access to AI functionalities, and Databricks is committed to democratizing both components.
AI Models and the Role of AI Agents
Another aspect covered during the keynote was enhancing the accuracy of AI models through ‘AI agents.’ These agents can reason based on business data and are capable of finding the correct information to answer questions. For instance, they can navigate through corporate documents to retrieve relevant data and provide well-founded answers. By deploying multiple agents with distinct functions in sequence, the accuracy and speed of AI processes can be significantly increased.
Databricks technology enables companies to develop and deploy these AI agents, offering businesses the potential to leverage AI more effectively in their operations.
Databricks emphasized that while the demand for AI is high, its success hinges on a reliable data structure, strong governance, and strategic implementation. The company strives to enable businesses to leverage AI in a responsible and scalable manner, positioning them better for the future.
