The last major shift in data engineering came during the rise of the cloud, transforming how we store, manage, and analyze data. Today, we stand at the cusp of the next revolution: AI-driven data engineering. This shift promises not just faster pipelines, but a fundamental change in the way data systems are designed and maintained. AI will redefine who builds data infrastructure, automating routine tasks, enabling more teams to contribute to data platforms, and (if done right) freeing up engineers to focus on higher-value work. However, this transformation also brings heightened pressure around governance, risk, and data security, requiring new approaches to control and oversight. For those prepared, this is a moment of immense opportunity – a chance to embrace a future of smarter, faster, and more responsive data systems.