{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Building the Right Foundations for AI with Sebastian Wernicke","description":"In Episode 196 of Open Tech Talks, host Kashif Manzoor speaks with Sebastian Wernicke, a data and AI expert with 20 years of experience working across data science, analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The conversation explores how organizations should approach AI transformation without getting distracted by the latest technology trends. Sebastian shares a powerful principle that has guided his work: Purpose first, data second. Rather than starting with a new AI model or technology and looking for somewhere to use it, organizations should first understand the business problem they are trying to solve. The discussion draws on Sebastian\u2019s experience working with organizations on complex data and analytics projects, including a logistics optimization project where the technical solution could deliver significant fuel savings but encountered unexpected organizational and operational challenges. The conversation highlights an important lesson for data scientists and AI teams: a technically successful model does not automatically translate into business success. Kashif and Sebastian also discuss the challenges of data preparation, data silos, institutional knowledge, and the importance of understanding how data is actually generated and used inside an organization. Sebastian explains why spending time with business teams and even visiting operational environments can reveal details that are invisible in datasets. The conversation then moves toward generative AI and the growing tendency for organizations to replace traditional data science and machine learning with the latest AI technologies. Sebastian argues that organizations should choose the simplest and most appropriate technology for the problem, rather than automatically selecting an LLM or generative AI solution. The episode also explores data platforms, data mesh, data governance, and the organizational challenges that technology alone cannot solve. Episode # 198 Today\u2019s Guest: SEBASTIAN WERNICKE, Data Scientist, Data Inspired For over 20 years, Sebastian has guided organizations worldwide to harness the power of data and AI to achieve breakthrough transformation.  Website: DataInspired  What Listeners Will Learn:  Why Purpose Should Come Before Technology How to Identify the Right Business Problem How Data Creates Business Value Why AI Projects Fail Beyond the Algorithm How to Overcome Data Silos Why Data Preparation Still Matters How to Connect AI Use Cases With Business Outcomes Why Traditional Machine Learning Still Matters When Generative AI Is the Right Choice How to Build Better Data Foundations Why Technology Cannot Fix Organizational Problems How Technical Professionals Can Build Long-Term Careers  Resources:  DataInspired  ","author_name":"OPEN Tech Talks: AI worth Talking| Artificial Intelligence |Tools &amp; Tips","author_url":"http:\/\/www.otechtalks.tv","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/42790130\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/205988090"}