248: AI and BI: The Future of Data Analytics with Michael Driscoll of Rill Data
This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Michael Driscoll, Co-Founder and CEO of Rill Data. Mike discusses the transformative impact of AI on business intelligence (BI) and data analytics. He also explores the shift from traditional dashboard-based tools to more dynamic, code-driven, and AI-powered interfaces that provide deeper insights. During the conversation, the group emphasizes the importance of a metrics-first approach, the potential of leapfrog architectures using technologies like data lakes and real-time analytical databases, and how AI agents are increasingly becoming the primary users of data tools. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of data infrastructure, where open standards, flexibility, and intelligent interfaces are reshaping how businesses interact with and understand their data, and more. Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Welcome Back Mike Driscoll (1:11)Philosophy Behind BI Tools (2:04)Building a Natural Language Processing Server (4:33)Deployment of MCP Servers (6:07)The Role of Visualizations in BI (10:09)Measuring Product Success (12:43)Navigating Changes as Data Professionals (16:13)Efficiency Gains with Code (19:00)The Future of Data Teams (22:29)Long-term Use of Rutter Stack (25:16)Analytics Landscape Overview (30:59)Future of BI Architecture (33:04)AI's Role in Analytics (35:07)Interoperability and Talent Pool (39:41)The Crowded BI Market (42:03)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (46:07)The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.
--------
47:51
The PRQL: The Metrics-First Approach: Transforming How We Understand Data with Mark Driscoll of Rill Data
The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.
--------
2:06
247: Consulting Firms, AI Strategies, and the $100K Question with the Cynical Data Guy
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:The Cynical Data Guy Returns (1:11)Klarna's AI Shift (2:08)Sensational Headlines in Tech (4:31)Impact of AI on Jobs (8:19)Cost of AI Strategy (10:21)Consulting Strategies and Company Differentiation (12:26)Brand Recognition in Consulting (14:48)Critique of Outsourcing Thought (17:10)Future of Consulting with AI (19:37)The Fragility of Data Systems (21:32)Primitive Data Stacks (24:05)Cynical Data Scientist Epitaph (00:26:06)Rebranding Data Science (27:40)Parting Thoughts and Takeaways (30:14)The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.
--------
31:22
The PRQL: Cynical Data Guy: Unpacking Tech's Latest Hype Cycles
The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.
--------
3:06
246: AI, Abstractions, and the Future of Data Engineering with Pete Hunt of Dagster
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Pete's Background and Journey in Data (1:36)Evolution of Data Practices (3:02)Integration Challenges with Acquired Companies (5:13)Trust and Safety as a Service (8:12)Transition to Dagster (11:26)Value Creation in Networking (14:42)Observability in Data Pipelines (18:44)The Era of Big Complexity (21:38)Abstraction as a Tool for Complexity (24:41)Composability and Workflow Engines (28:08)The Need for Guardrails (33:13)AI in Development Tools (36:24)Internal Components Marketplace (40:14)Reimagining Data Integration (43:03)Importance of Abstraction in Data Tools (46:17)Parting Advice for Listeners and Closing Thoughts (48:01)The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.
Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.
Australia