Session

Your AI Is Only as Smart as Your Data’s Context

Tech Theater 1

Starts: May 6, 2026 2:00 pm
Ends: 3:00 pm
Sponsored by
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Your AI Is Only as Smart as Your Data’s Context

Enterprises have spent decades mastering the “plumbing” of data – integrating, governing, and certifying information for reporting and analytics. But AI agents require something more: context.
They need the situational awareness, business logic, semantic relationships, and decision frameworks that humans naturally apply every day. Without this contextual foundation, AI remains limited to prediction and conversation – producing hallucinations, weak decisions, and unreliable automation.

This session introduces the Contextual Intelligence Layer – the critical bridge between enterprise data, large language models, and trustworthy autonomous execution. By combining Knowledge Graphs, Semantic Layers, and Active Metadata, organizations can create true Digital Twins of their business – transforming passive copilots into reliable, agentic systems capable of real decision support and action.

Learn how leading enterprises are moving beyond static data catalogs and flat vector embeddings to build AI systems grounded in business meaning, operational trust, and contextual intelligence.

Speakers

Mark Johnson

Chief Growth Officer - CoStrategix

Mark Johnson’s career spans an impressive array of technical, management, and executive leadership roles, making him exceptionally equipped to drive growth and innovation within organizations. His strategic vision, genuine enthusiasm, and understanding of organizational change management make him a sought-after advisor. Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit, Mark has twice founded and expanded national technology consulting businesses. He is a Senior Fellow for the CDOIQ Symposium, the largest and longest-running conference for data leaders. He is also a co-founder of the CDO Magazine Editorial Board, building a community of data leaders globally to share ideas and best practices. In addition, Mark is a motivational speaker, teacher, author, and coach. He specializes in helping people reach their professional and personal goals. He is a mentor of a program through Cincinnati Public Schools and the University of Cincinnati's Share IT Program that helps young people find passion and success in the IT industry.