BigID's Data Leader Series: Week 6 - How to Scale and Sustain AI in Industry

By: Sara Diaz, Business Analyst Intern at BigID

The final installation of BigID’s Data Leader Series: AI Fundamentals for Business Executives titled “How to Scale and Sustain AI in Industry” was held this week. Peggy Tsai, CDO, and Shalonda Willis, Sr. Demand Generation Manager, launched us into the last session. Tsai expressed her shared disbelief at how quickly the series flew by, asking, “Can you believe we’re at Week 6?” Tsai commenced the series and continued to provide a recap for the past five weeks, demonstrating the sheer breadth of exciting material shared by our speakers throughout the series.

Over the first five weeks of BigID's Data Leaders Series, the focus was on equipping future data leaders with essential AI and data governance skills. Week 1 kicked off with insights from top industry leaders on implementing AI in business, emphasizing the importance of AI capabilities and data governance. Week 2 delved into the evolving role of Chief Data Officers (CDOs) and effective data governance practices, highlighting the necessity of ethical and secure data handling. Week 3 addressed data security in AI, stressing the urgency of managing AI's risk posture and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. In Week 4, the discussion centered on global privacy regulations and AI governance, exploring the complexities of maintaining compliance amidst rapidly advancing AI technologies. Finally, Week 5 focused on building an AI roadmap with generative AI technologies, featuring practical applications and the transformative potential of AI in various industries. Each session provided participants with valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and interactive activities to enhance their understanding and application of AI in their respective fields.

Rachini Moosavi, Chief Data Analytics Officer at UNC Health, kicked off the session by highlighting the cautious yet promising integration of AI technologies in healthcare. In the healthcare sector, the rapid evolution of AI technologies promises a transformative impact, yet adoption remains cautious and deliberate. As Rashini Moosavi articulates, "Human in the loop is something that is still required for almost, for just about everything that requires actual healthcare delivery and patient decision making." This demonstrates the critical need for human oversight to ensure AI tools augment rather than replace the nuanced expertise of healthcare professionals. The ambient listening technology exemplifies this balance, aiming to restore the "doctor-patient relationship in a way where we can get back to actually looking each other in the eye and having conversations," says Moosavi. This technology uses sophisticated AI to transcribe and interpret conversations in real time, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on their interactions with patients rather than on administrative tasks.

"Human in the loop is something that is still required for almost, for just about everything that requires actual healthcare delivery and patient decision making." -Rachini Moosavi, Chief Data Analytics Officer at UNC Health

The strategic alignment with organizational objectives is crucial, particularly in navigating the intricate relationship between data teams and security teams. Moosavi highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach, "We often say we're not going to implement or introduce technology for technology's sake. We avoid situations where we have technology in search of a problem." This philosophy ensures that AI initiatives are not only technologically sound but also relevant and beneficial to the organization's overarching goals. By fostering a strong partnership with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and other stakeholders, UNC Health ensures that every step, from development to deployment, adheres to stringent security and ethical standards.

Looking ahead, the potential for AI to alleviate the burdens faced by frontline healthcare workers is immense. As Moosavi pointed out, "The demand for frontline healthcare workers is a very big one, right? And it's not gonna stop. We're always gonna need people in healthcare to provide those services." By strategically integrating AI to handle routine tasks and reduce cognitive load, healthcare systems can enable professionals to focus more on patient care, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery. AI-powered systems can monitor patients' vital signs continuously and alert nurses to any abnormalities, ensuring timely interventions. This not only enhances patient safety but also allows nurses to devote more time to direct patient care. By integrating AI, healthcare facilities can ensure that their nursing staff is supported in a way that reduces stress and burnout, while also improving patient outcomes.

Moreover, AI plays a crucial role in complex decision-making processes. Predictive analytics enable nurses to identify high-risk patients preemptively, leading to improved patient prognoses and reduced hospital readmission rates. AI-driven tools also aid in managing medication schedules and minimizing medication errors by ensuring patients receive accurate dosages at appropriate times. Another fascinating development Moosavi mentioned is the use of AI in detecting diseases through non-invasive means. While still in the research phase, technologies that analyze audio recordings to diagnose conditions could offer a revolutionary approach to early detection and treatment. Although these technologies are not yet widely adopted, their potential to change the landscape of diagnostic medicine is immense. As these technologies continue to evolve and mature, their careful and strategic implementation will be crucial in driving the next wave of healthcare transformation.

Following Moosavi’s insightful presentation, Shalonda Willis conducted polls revealing key challenges in implementing Generative AI. Participants identified various obstacles: 38% cited defining clear goals and value propositions, 25% mentioned integrating and deploying AI solutions and establishing a responsible AI framework, while 13% focused on selecting the right use case and technology. Regarding AI roadmap roadblocks, 25% noted challenges with accessing high-quality training data and skilled AI talent, 19% highlighted understanding AI's business value and ROI, and 13% pointed to infrastructure and regulatory alignment issues. Sara Diaz, Business Analyst Intern at BigID, then hosted "AI Rewind," blending popular past AI icebreaker games like "Is It AI?: Art Edition," "AI Anomaly," and "hAIku," creating a dynamic session that showcased AI's creative potential and engaged participants deeply.

Next, Dr. Joe Perez, Senior Systems Analyst and Fractional CTO at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, delivered a gratifying presentation, emphasizing a critical perspective on AI: "It’s all about having you control the AI and not having the AI controlling you." Stimulated creativity ignites innovative solutions, turning challenges into opportunities. Dr. Perez suggested that AI should "stimulate, not stifle" creativity, fostering an environment where ideas flourish and technology serves as a catalyst for ingenuity. Objectivity is sharpened, creating a level playing field where decisions are data-driven and unbiased. By enhancing, not endangering objectivity, AI helps ensure that healthcare decisions are both fair and precise.

 "It’s all about having you control the AI and not having the AI controlling you."-Dr. Joe Perez, Senior Systems Analyst and Fractional CTO at the NC Department of Health and Human Services

Liability in AI deployment is a shared responsibility, forming a united front that leverages collective expertise to mitigate risks. As Dr. Perez articulated, "liability should be shared, not shunned," highlighting the importance of collaborative accountability. Dependability is steadied, reinforcing a strong fort of reliability and trust in AI systems. Fortified rather than fragile, these systems must support healthcare professionals in their mission to provide consistent and high-quality care.

Embracing the positive power of AI means recognizing its potential to enhance rather than replace human capabilities. Dr. Perez identified key differences that make this possible: AI should be a tool that stimulates, not stifles; enhances, not endangers; is shared, not shunned; and is fortified, not fragile. Using AI as a lever rather than a crutch ensures that it amplifies human effort, fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence.

Dr. Perez further encapsulated this perspective, advocating for a shift towards curiosity over fear, responsibility over apathy, and amplification over diminishment. The right tool in the right hands, he asserts, can transform the landscape of healthcare and across all industries. With meticulous preparation, unwavering passion, and a deep understanding of AI, healthcare professionals can master these tools, becoming pilots of innovation rather than passengers of technology.

Our third and final speaker, Maor Pichadze, Director of Product Management at BigID, outlined a robust vision for enhancing AI governance and security through innovative solutions. "For the big idea, our AI protection program aims to empower customers to understand their AI assets," he emphasizes. This initiative focuses on identifying and classifying critical components like models, datasets, and contextual vectors, essential for refining model performance and ensuring regulatory compliance.

 Pichadze highlighted the importance of mitigating risks associated with sensitive information: "We help organizations cleanse datasets of PII or PHI, ensuring models are shielded from potential biases and security breaches." This proactive approach not only safeguards data integrity but also streamlines compliance with evolving regulations such as NIST and the AI Act. By integrating with major platforms like AWS, GCP, and Azure, BigID's roadmap includes comprehensive visibility and automated risk assessments, pivotal in navigating the complexities of AI governance. 

Pichadze's focus extended beyond simply classification. He emphasized the practical implications of BigID's AI protection program. "Our goal is not just to identify AI assets but to empower organizations with actionable insights," he asserts. This involves creating a structured inventory of AI assets within BigID's catalog, complete with lineage tracking to understand the origins of data and its usage in models. Such transparency not only enhances operational efficiency but also fortifies organizations against potential data breaches and compliance lapses.

"Our goal is not just to identify AI assets but to empower organizations with actionable insights."- Maor Pichadze, Director of Product Management at BigID

Moreover, Pichadze stressed the need for continuous innovation in AI security. "As the landscape evolves, so too must our approach to safeguarding AI ecosystems," he notes. BigID is committed to ongoing integration with emerging technologies and platforms, ensuring their solutions remain adaptive and resilient. This proactive stance positions BigID as a pivotal partner in enabling enterprises to navigate the complexities of AI governance confidently.

As the series moved to a close, our Data Leaders Series grand finale was an entertaining AI Trivia Kahoot Game hosted by Christian Gibson, Sr. Manager of Global Business Operations at BigID. The Kahoot game was engaging for all participants who were tested on their AI knowledge of content from the past weeks and fun general AI trivia questions. The game kept us on the edge of our seats with a series of timed questions that tested the pace and accuracy of our participants. The game finished off strong with the top winner promised an exciting prize of BigID swag.

Our audience left the six weeks of BigID's Data Leaders Series with a renewed focus on integrating AI technologies into their business strategies, enhancing data governance practices, and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations. The sessions provided comprehensive insights, from the evolving role of Chief Data Officers to the practical implementation of generative AI technologies. Participants gained valuable knowledge on balancing innovation with risk management, the importance of ethical data handling, and the transformative potential of AI in various industries. 

If you're interested in advancing your understanding of AI, data governance, and compliance, or you want to sign up for next year's program, visit BigID's website and explore our workshops and webinars on the BigID University webpage.

If you want a chance to win some BigID swag and a $100 Amazon gift card, be sure to fill out our end-of-event survey that is posted on BigID University’s webpage.