Insights from the Edge of Data & AI with Australian Chief Data Officers

Nine, Macquarie, and NBN leaders reveal how aligning data governance, AI, and business strategy drives value, trust, and adoption across the enterprise.In this panel discussion on building a data-driven business, three experts – Suzie Cardwell, Chief Data, Product & Technology, Enterprise at Nine; Damian Brennan, Division Director, AI and Data Analytics at Macquarie Group; and Sonia Boije, Chief Data Officer at NBN – share insights from their respective industries. Sonia outlines how the simplification and modernisation of data systems must go hand in hand with AI integration. She explains that embedding data governance into the business, rather than treating it as an IT function, is essential. By introducing data product owners and a federated model supported by active data councils, her organisation shifted accountability into the business, which accelerated adoption and delivered greater value. She underscores the importance of aligning governance with business priorities and taking a practical, outcome-focused approach…