Strong data, stronger AI defines 2026 Analytics and AI Summit

The 2026 Summit invited attendees to experience keynotes from 84.51° and Microsoft, a panel discussion, 15 breakout sessions, multiple networking gatherings and a closing social — all centered on how meaningful AI begins with strong, strategic data foundations.

Executive Director Georgette Angulo-Ramirez and Academic Director Dungang Liu, PhD, welcomed guests and encouraged participants to pause and reflect on what “AI-ready” meant for their teams or organizations — and which part of their company’s culture, data, governance and processes require strengthening before AI can truly create value for them.

“Strong data and stronger AI is a mantra for human-centered AI transformation,” said Angulo-Ramirez.

Liu encouraged attendees to look to the center for collaboration, with its network of academic and industry experts bringing knowledge to the forefront of action, driving insights and supporting pathways to change. 

“Bring us your ideas, your bold questions and your disruptive thinking,” he said.

Milen Mahadevan, president and CEO of 84.51º and Kroger’s chief data and AI officer, served as the morning keynote speaker. In his address — and during a subsequent fireside chat with Mike Fry, PhD, professor and senior director of Lindner centers and institutes — Mahadevan conveyed practical, experience-based leadership insights from 84.51º’s AI journey. He highlighted the foundational decisions, operational choices and leadership alignment required to drive AI impact and return on investment.

Mahadevan outlined six building blocks for a strong AI foundation: data readiness, leadership, operating model, governance, talent strategy and reinvention.

“AI will not wait for any of us to be ready. The winners won’t be organizations with perfect plans, but ones that understand what works for them. Build the foundation, build momentum and keep adapting.”

In one of his closing remarks, Mahadevan advised students to incorporate human-centered skills into their AI toolkit and to blend traditional coursework with immersive learning and peer-to-peer interaction. 

“We need more intangibles than tangibles. We need to focus on leadership qualities, empathy and real emotion.”

Scott Dust, PhD, associate dean of partnership development, moderated a panel of industry leaders — Patrice Borders, JD (AmplifyEI), Jennifer Craddock (Great American Insurance Group) and Tara Marotti (Burke Inc.) — who discussed what it means to remain human-centered as AI continues to reshape the workplace.

Craddock said that leaders should be mindful of the downstream effects of AI implementation and how it can affect employee engagement.

“Leaders are treating this like just another process or technology change, and it’s more than that. It’s a mindset and belief shift. I think that’s the piece leaders often miss and need to remember,” she said. “We’re not just asking people to change processes or use different tools. We’re asking them to change the way they think and perform.”

Borders stressed the importance of creating safe spaces for employees to communicate concerns. 

“Their discernment should not be categorized as dissent or a lack of innovation. We have to make sure we are attentive and intentional about how we say things and what we say,” she said.

Marotti highlighted the need for leaders to be curious and empathetic.

“Ask the questions and put yourself in somebody else’s shoes: ‘What are we trying to get this tool to do? How is it going to serve us? How relevant is it in the marketplace?’” she said. “These are all questions we must ask ourselves.”

Featured image: 2026 Analytics and AI Summit speakers with Center for Business Analytics and AI staff. Photos/Boonrise.