20 Sessions to Keep an Eye On at the Gartner D&A Summit 2025, Orlando, FL
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Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 is the most significant event for future-forward data enterprises looking to unlock the full potential of their data estates. The summit will be packed with business insights for D&A leaders investing in the modern data cloud and responsible for delivering data, analytics, and AI products.
See How Atlan Aligns with Gartner’s Data Governance Vision
Atlan will be at the summit connecting with future-forward data leaders and enterprises. Atlan’s recognition as a Visionary in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for Data and Analytics Governance validates our position at the center of this industry transformation. Through our active metadata-powered platform, Atlan enables organizations to operationalize their data value chain and deliver faster, more trustworthy data, analytics, and AI products to every human of data.
In this article, team Atlan has handpicked the most strategic Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 sessions in AI, data governance, and data management. Attending these sessions will help you explore how to drive value from data in 2025 and beyond.
Gartner’s Inaugural Magic Quadrant for D&A Governance is Here #
In a post-ChatGPT world where AI is reshaping businesses, data governance has become a cornerstone of success. The inaugural report provides a detailed evaluation of top platforms and the key trends shaping data and AI governance.
Read the Magic Quadrant for D&A Governance
Table of contents #
- AI Theme Sessions
- Data management Theme Sessions
- Data governance Theme Sessions
- Summary
- Related reads
Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 Session Theme: AI #
1. AI Governance: Design an Effective AI Governance Operating Model #
By: Svetlana Sicular, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM EST
Track: AI
What is this session about?
Svetlana Sicular will walk you through implementing an AI governance operating model by mapping governance pillars to key AI components and differentiating AI capabilities. This model should connect other governance bodies and extend existing governance models to AI-specific concerns.
2. Top 10 Reasons Why Generative AI Projects Fail and How to Fix It #
By: Arun Chandrasekharan, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4, 2025 / 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST
Track: AI
What is this session about?
More than 50% of generative AI projects fail. In this session, Arun Chandrasekharan will equip D&A leaders with insights into the key reasons for failure and best practices to overcome challenges, ensuring scalable and successful AI adoption across the enterprise.
3. AI Explainability for Responsible AI #
By: Maryam Hassanlou, Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Track: AI
What is this session about?
Maryam Hassanlou will cover key practices that D&A technical professionals should adopt to enhance AI explainability, strengthen trust, and promote responsible AI usage.
4. Ready Your Data for AI #
By: Roxane Edjlali, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
With AI taking center stage in organizations, delivering AI-ready data has become the top investment priority for data management leaders. In this session, Roxane Edjlali will define AI-ready data, explain how it differs from traditional data management, and explore key practices and technologies for ensuring data is optimized for AI initiatives.
5. The Future of AI #
By: Erick Brethenoux, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Track: AI
What is this session about?
AI is evolving rapidly, yet its full potential remains untapped. While it promises adaptability in an unpredictable world, challenges persist in realizing its true value. Join Erick Brethenoux as he explores the future of AI and what it must do to meet expectations and drive meaningful impact.
Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 Session Theme: Data management #
6. Ask the Expert: Essential Data Quality Practices for AI-ready Data #
By: Ehtisham Zaidi, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
Ehtisham Zaidi will explore data quality approaches that go beyond the six traditional dimensions. This will help data leaders take a holistic approach to data quality and make their data estate AI-ready.
7. Build a Foundation for BI and AI Success With Metadata, Data Quality and Data Observability Tools #
By: Melody Chien, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4, 2025 / 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
Metadata, data quality, and data observability tools ensure reliable data for BI and AI by enabling discovery, governance, and real-time monitoring. In this session, Melody Chien will explore how these tools, in tandem, provide a strong foundation for effective data management.
8. Managing Metadata: From Passive to Active Metadata #
By: Mark Beyer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4, 2025 / 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
According to Mark Beyer, AI is undergoing confidence issues and there’s a demand to reduce risk, grow AI confidence, and provide data assurance. That’s where active metadata becomes key. As such, most organizations must advance their maturity in metadata management, moving on from passive approaches that rely on stats, reports, schemas, and business glossaries.
9. Key Take-Aways From 7 Real-World Cases for Building AI-Ready Data Enterprise #
By: Mark Beyer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
Mark Beyer will showcase seven real-world case studies from Uber, Rechat, J.P. Morgan, ChatDOC, Arize AI, Qodo, and Unstructure, covering the entire AI delivery lifecycle. This will help data leaders understand how to transform their data into AI-ready assets to unlock its full value.
10. R.I.P. Data Fabric vs. Mesh Debate: Complement Fabric with Mesh when Modernizing Data Architectures #
By: Ehtisham Zaidi, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
Data fabric and data mesh are not opposing concepts—they can coexist. Ehtisham Zaidi will put the five-year-long debate comparing data fabric and mesh to rest. You’ll learn how fabric unifies data management while mesh enables decentralized operations, offering a sensible approach to modern data architecture.
11. What Keeps Data Management Leaders Up at Night in 2025 #
By: Michael Simone, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
In this session, Micheal Simone will explore key challenges in data management and offer actionable recommendations. Data leaders will learn how to refine strategies and enhance decision-making through effective data management practices.
12. What Data Management Leaders Need to Know About Business Value #
By: Roxane Edjlali, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4, 2025 / 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
As demand for AI-ready data grows, data management leaders must ensure efforts align with business value. A strategic approach prevents misdirection, maximizes data management initiatives, and drives business growth.
13. What Data and Analytics Leaders Should Know Before Implementing a Data Catalog #
By: Thornton Craig, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4, 2025 / 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
Data catalogs often fail due to nontechnical issues rather than poor technology choices. In this session, Thornton Craig will guide D&A leaders in evaluating metadata management needs, assessing organizational readiness, and applying best practices for successful data catalog implementation.
14. Future of Data Management Using Generative AI #
By: Ramke Ramakrishnan, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4, 2025 / 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST
Track: Data management
What is this session about?
GenAI offers promising capabilities to enhance data management and governance. Organizations should evaluate these capabilities to align them with strategic goals, driving greater efficiency and business impact.
Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 Session Theme: Data governance #
15. Hype Cycle for Data and Analytics Governance #
By: Guido De Simoni, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM EST
Track: Data governance
What is this session about?
Guido De Simoni will unveil the emerging, most hyped, and ready-for-prime-time concepts and technologies in data and analytics governance.
16. Key Steps for Assessing Your D&A Governance Platform Requirements #
By: Guido De Simoni, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Track: Data governance
What is this session about?
Guido De Simoni will discuss steps to effectively evaluate D&A platform requirements and choose a solution that meets key use cases and business needs.
17. Use Trust Models to Drive Data and Governance Success #
By: Saul Judah, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM EST
Track: Data governance
What is this session about?
Trust models help D&A governance leaders track data, analytics, and AI asset usage to support business goals. Saul Judah will explain what trust models are and how they improve business outcomes.
18. 5 Things That Keep Heads of Governance Up at Night #
By: Sue Waite, Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Track: Data governance
What is this session about?
Sue Waite will discuss the latest burning issues facing heads of data governance and provide actionable recommendations to address them. By understanding key drivers and emerging trends, D&A leaders can refine their data governance strategies to mitigate risks and seize new opportunities.
19. Roundtable: Reaching a Compromise Between Adaptive and Control Governance #
By: Nate Novosel, VP Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Monday, March 3, 2025 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Track: Data governance
What is this session about?
The roundtable will explore the benefits and challenges of adaptive and control governance, aiming to identify a balanced approach that integrates their strengths. D&A leaders participating in this session will explore how to harmonize agility with stability, innovation with risk management, and empowerment with accountability.
20. AI for Data Governance: The Technology & Operational Impacts of Generative AI #
By: Stephen Kennedy, Director Analyst, Gartner
When is it? Tuesday, March 4 2025 / 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST
Track: Data governance
What is this session about?
Many organizations are evaluating the impact of GenAI on their D&A governance and management tools, as well as their overall governance operations. In this research, Stephen Kennedy will explore how key D&A markets are integrating GenAI capabilities and how these advancements will reshape the future of D&A governance.
Summary #
We’ve also summarized the sessions in the table below.
| # | Theme | Session name | Speaker | Scheduled on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AI | AI Governance: Design an Effective AI Governance Operating Model | Svetlana Sicular, VP Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM EST |
| 2 | AI | Top 10 Reasons Why Generative AI Projects Fail and How to Fix It | Arun Chandrasekharan, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST |
| 3 | AI | AI Explainability for Responsible AI | Maryam Hassanlou, Director Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM EST |
| 4 | AI | Ready Your Data for AI | Roxane Edjlali, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST |
| 5 | AI | The Future of AI | Erick Brethenoux, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST |
| 6 | Data management | Ask the Expert: Essential Data Quality Practices for AI-ready Data | Ehtisham Zaidi, VP Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST |
| 7 | Data management | Build a Foundation for BI and AI Success With Metadata, Data Quality and Data Observability Tools | Melody Chien, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST |
| 8 | Data management | Managing Metadata: From Passive to Active Metadata | Mark Beyer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST |
| 9 | Data management | Key Take-Aways From 7 Real-World Cases for Building AI-Ready Data Enterprise | Mark Beyer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM EST |
| 10 | Data management | R.I.P. Data Fabric vs. Mesh Debate: Complement Fabric with Mesh when Modernizing Data Architectures | Ehtisham Zaidi, VP Analyst, Gartner | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM EST |
| 11 | Data management | What Keeps Data Management Leaders Up at Night in 2025 | Michael Simone, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST |
| 12 | Data management | What Data Management Leaders Need to Know About Business Value | Roxane Edjlali, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM EST |
| 13 | Data management | What Data and Analytics Leaders Should Know Before Implementing a Data Catalog | Thornton Craig, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST |
| 14 | Data management | Future of Data Management Using Generative AI | Ramke Ramakrishnan, VP Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST |
| 15 | Data governance | Hype Cycle for Data and Analytics Governance | Guido De Simoni, VP Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM EST |
| 16 | Data governance | Key Steps for Assessing Your D&A Governance Platform Requirements | Guido De Simoni, VP Analyst, Gartner | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST |
| 17 | Data governance | Use Trust Models to Drive Data and Governance Success | Saul Judah, VP Analyst, Gartner | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM EST |
| 18 | Data governance | 5 Things That Keep Heads of Governance Up at Night | Sue Waite, Director Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM EST |
| 19 | Data governance | Roundtable: Reaching a Compromise Between Adaptive and Control Governance | Nate Novosel, VP Analyst, Gartner | Monday, March 3, 2025 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST |
| 20 | Data governance | AI for Data Governance: The Technology & Operational Impacts of Generative AI | Stephen Kennedy, Director Analyst, Gartner | Tuesday, March 4 2025 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST |
Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 Sessions: Related reads #
- Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025: Theme, Tracks, FAQs
- Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2024: What to Expect
- 22 Highly Anticipated Sessions at Gartner D&A Summit, 2024
- 6 Must-Attend Gartner Conferences in 2024 for D&A Practitioners
- 5 Top Takeaways from Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2024
- Gartner Data Catalog Research Guide
- Gartner Active Metadata Management
- Gartner on Data Mesh
- Gartner on Data Fabric
- Gartner on Data Lineage
- Gartner on DataOps
- Gartner Magic Quadrant for Metadata Management
- Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Quality
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