Enterprise AI ambitions can stall when data foundations are fragmented, governance cannot keep pace, or teams struggle to move beyond pilot projects. These are the challenges facing data and analytics leaders as they work to turn AI investments into measurable business outcomes.
Taking place on October 26–27, 2026, at the Renaissance Boston Seaport District, CDAO Fall 2026 will bring together senior data, analytics, and AI leaders to examine how organizations can make that transition. The 13th edition of the event will focus on the decisions shaping enterprise data strategy, AI adoption, governance, and responsible data use.
From AI Experiments to Enterprise Execution
A central theme is the gap between AI experimentation and operational results. Sessions will explore what separates organizations that successfully deploy AI from those that remain stuck in repeated pilots, including the organizational and cultural changes needed to scale adoption.
Data architecture and quality will also take center stage. Leaders will discuss build-versus-buy decisions, the risks of technology lock-in, and how fragmented platforms can evolve into integrated, AI-ready foundations. The agenda also addresses data products, data contracts, and the less visible infrastructure work that determines whether AI systems deliver reliable results.
Governance remains another critical issue, particularly as agentic AI moves from providing recommendations to taking action. The discussions will examine how organizations can maintain oversight, manage risk, and establish the controls needed for more autonomous systems without slowing innovation.
Also Read: AI & Big Data Expo Europe 2026: Moving Enterprise AI from Experimentation to Execution
Leaders Bringing Enterprise Perspectives
The confirmed speaker lineup includes Manajit Barman, Chief Data Officer at the United States Air Force, who will discuss architecture decisions with long-term implications for enterprise data and AI. Ash Dhupar, Chief Data & AI Officer at Honeywell Aerospace, will examine what separates successful AI deployments from stalled experiments.
Also featured are Achuth Rao, Chief Product Officer and Head of Data & Analytics, AI Products at New York Life Insurance, and Haroon Abbu, Senior Vice President of Digital Technology, AI & Data Analytics and CDAIO at Bell & Howell. Their participation brings perspectives spanning data leadership, product strategy, and enterprise transformation.
Check out the full speaker lineup here.
For chief data officers and enterprise technology leaders, CDAO Fall 2026 offers a forum to compare approaches to AI readiness, governance, and the organizational changes required to make data strategy deliver practical business value.
To know more about the event, including the agenda and registration details, visit the official CDAO Fall website.
