The Mandate to Turn AI Ambition into Results: What Data Leaders Need to Deliver Value from AI

Friday, 22 May, 2026 @11:00am

Date Friday, 22 May, 2026 Time 11:00am -12:00pm AEST Location Zoom link will be available upon registration. Register to Access Recording Register

Insights from more than 160 data, analytics and AI leaders at ADAPT’s 2026 Data & AI Edge, from organisations representing over 30% of Australia’s GDP, show that leaders are under growing pressure to turn AI ambition into measurable business value.

As a result, AI strategy, governance, literacy, and scalable execution are rising sharply up the agenda.

The AI ambition is still running ahead of execution. Just 8% of leaders say their organisation’s data is optimised to enable AI at scale, and only 12% describe their AI and MLOps practices as advanced or fully mature. At the same time, the pressure to prove measurable value is intensifying with more than 40% of leaders now requiring formal business case for AI initiative.

This is changing what enterprise leaders expect from providers. They are looking beyond AI ambition and pilot activity toward partners who can strengthen their data foundations, improve governance, build organisational capability, and connect investment to clearer business outcomes.

How should you sharpen your messaging, proof points, and GTM approach to stay relevant to the leaders shaping enterprise AI strategy, governance, and investment in 2026?

Join this exclusive ADAPT Analyst Market Briefing to uncover what is driving the priorities, expectations, and buying behaviour of Australia’s Chief Data and AI Officers, and how to position your organisation more effectively in response.

Key Takeaways The priorities rising fastest on the CDAO agenda, and what they signal for your GTM strategy. Why AI ambition is still outpacing enterprise readiness, and where providers need to shift the conversation. What it now takes to win budget, trust, and executive backing for AI initiatives. Where buyers are moving beyond experimentation and demanding clearer paths to measurable value. How the role and expectations of data leaders are evolving, and how to better align your messaging, proof points, and offerings to the leaders.

Meet the Moderator & Speaker

Gabby Fredkin Head of Analytics & Insights

Gabby’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights. He has extensive experience in using data to identify technology trends... More

Gabby’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights. He has extensive experience in using data to identify technology trends to support Australian organisations.

Using modern data science techniques, he provides ADAPT and its customers with confidence in the accuracy and validity of the information used for ADAPT’s research, advisory and events.

With a passion for creating stories with data, Gabby is consistently rated as one of the top speakers at ADAPT’s events. In roundtable discussions, he specialises in using statistics to initiate thought-provoking discussions.

Gabby is effective in translating information into insights, enabling ADAPT’s customers to become more data-driven.

Gabby’s primary areas of expertise are:

Advanced AI and ML practices, including AI ethics.
Building models to benchmark and predict IT performance.
End-user behaviour and human-centred design.
Cross-functional team design and value, such as DevSecOps.

Anthony Saba Managing Director, Transformation Services

Anthony leads the growth, strategy, and delivery of ADAPT’s Transformation Services and Go-to-Market Services Business Units. He is driven by a core... More

Anthony leads the growth, strategy, and delivery of ADAPT’s Transformation Services and Go-to-Market Services Business Units.

He is driven by a core belief that we are experiencing a modern industrial revolution, one that will fundamentally reshape how business is done and pose serious challenges to the future of many Australian organisations and industries.

In this environment, success will not necessarily favour incumbents, or those with the deepest pockets or broadest resources, but rather organisations who are most able to ADAPT quickly and effectively to the evolving needs of their customers, employees and ecosystems.

With this belief, ADAPT is evolving into a critical platform that Australia’s enterprise leaders, local solution providers, and trusted advisors can rely on to succeed over the next decade.

By removing barriers, democratising access to proven expertise, promoting local ANZ innovation, and enabling rapid, meaningful connections between leaders and experts, ADAPT is committed to helping Australia not just survive, but thrive in the complex and uncertain times ahead.