It’s now over six years since the emergence of the paper "How to Move Beyond a Monolithic Data Lake to a Distributed Data Mesh” by Zhamak Dehghani that had a major impact on the data and analytics industry. 

It highlighted major data architecture failures and called for a rethink in data architecture and in data provisioning by creating a data supply chain and democratising data engineering to enable business domain-oriented creation of reusable data products to make data products available as self-governing services. 

Since then, we have seen many companies adopt Data Mesh strategies, and the repositioning of some software products as well as the emergence of new ones to emphasize democratisation. But is what has happened since totally addressing the problems that Data Mesh was intending to solve? And what new problems are arising as organizations try to make data safely available to AI projects at machine-scale?  

In this unmissable session Big Data LDN Chair Mike Ferguson sits down with Zhamak Dehghani to talk about what has happened since Data Mesh emerged. It will look at:

● The drivers behind Data Mesh

● Revisiting Data Mesh to clarify on what a data product is and what Data Mesh is intending to solve

● Did data architecture really change or are companies still using existing architecture to implement this?

● What about technology to support this - Is Data Fabric the answer or best of breed tools? 

● How critical is organisation to successful Data Mesh implementation

● Roadblocks in the way of success e.g., lack of metadata standards

● How does Data Mesh impact AI?

● What’s next on the horizon?

In this interactive workshop, Sunil Soares will break down the key learning points from the morning's keynote session, exploring real-world embedded AI applications, and unpack how regulations like the EU AI Act impact autonomous systems. You’ll leave with practical tools and explore how to govern AI responsibly—without slowing innovation.

AI agents have seen increasing adoption across multiple industries as the next wave of AI. Existing regulations such as the European Union AI Act also apply to AI agents.

The session is based on Sunil Soares' books that can be found here: https://yourdataconnect.com

This session will cover the following topics:

• Agentic AI governance framework

• Applications with embedded AI

• Associated AI Governance Regulations including EU AI Act

• Agentic AI Governance Platforms

In today’s fast-moving global business environment, technological innovation, shifting consumer demands, and the growing imperative of sustainability are redefining how organizations operate and compete. To thrive in this dynamic landscape, businesses must place data at the core of their strategic and operational decisions, embracing digital tools, AI, and automation to unlock productivity and resilience.

This engaging presentation offers a powerful framework for building a tailored data strategy aligned with organizational goals. Led by an expert with over two decades of strategic leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies, FTSE 100 firms, non-profits, and SMEs, this session combines real-world insights with actionable tools to help you navigate complexity and drive sustained growth.

Whether you’re developing a data strategy from the ground up or enhancing an existing approach, this session will empower you to lead with clarity, drive innovation, and future-proof your business.

Key Takeaways:

• Emerging Trends: Discover how to integrate disruptive technologies, including AI, into your data strategy.

• Innovation Blueprints: Learn to create a culture of creativity, confidence, and capability.

• Strategic Foundations: Explore the essential building blocks of a successful data strategy.

• Global Perspectives: Benefit from international case studies of both triumphs and lessons learned.

• Interactive Q&A: Bring your challenges to the table and gain expert advice and fresh perspectives.

If you’re serious about making smarter decisions, driving growth, and staying ahead of the curve — this session is for you.