Dr. Joe Perez

Tired of creating beautiful graphs that only serve as decoration? Want to take your data visualizations to the next level, turning them into powerful decision-making tools? Don't settle for flashy concepts without practical use; learn how to combine beauty with brains and make data actionable with effective data storytelling. Join us to identify ways of turning your data into a cohesive strategy for the short and long term. Explore five "Stages of the Spectrum" and learn to exploit both internal and external ideas to drive decisions with data. You'll see firsthand the difference between impact and influence, and how to ensure your data has real effect on your business. Mathematician John Tukey once said, "The greatest value of a picture is when it forces us to notice what we never expected to see." Learn to capitalize on unexpected insights and turn them into competitive advantage. Discover how to catch the right blend of art and science, as you go from concept to reality, ensuring your ideas become reality, not just fluff. Gain the skills and knowledge to create visualizations that drive decision-making and business outcomes. Don't settle for pretty pictures without impact; join us to uncover how to blend creativity with analytical thinking, thus leveraging art and science.

As AI agents become embedded in everyday workflows — from healthcare diagnostics to financial services chatbots — the line between human and machine continues to blur. This panel brings together industry leaders to tackle the tough questions: • How do we trust AI agents in high-risk environments? • What are the new rules of ownership and accountability when autonomous systems act on data? • Is AI replacing or enhancing the human workforce — and how do we keep the balance right? We'll unpack how AI agents are evolving across sectors, debate whether the current LLM paradigm is enough, and explore the new guardrails needed to futureproof agentic AI — without losing control.

What does it mean to bring data to life? Does data take on a “LIFE” of its own, or must it be nurtured along the way? The challenge: turning raw data into valuable insights that drive action, innovation, and transformation. Although it has been said that exabytes of new information are generated daily, how much of it is meaningful? Does volume necessarily translate into value? What vision can we bring to bridge this gap? We must go beyond the surface, push the boundaries of what’s possible, and actively breathe LIFE into data to unlock its true potential. But data’s value isn’t in the numbers alone; it's in the business decisions they inspire. In this session, we’ll explore four L.I.F.E. pillars of relevant data that will give your data meaning and impact. Blending left-brain logic with right-brain creativity, we’ll unlock powerful insights, drawing inspiration from a stunning example of data visualization ingenuity from the 1850s. This goes beyond answering questions you DO know to include exploring questions you DON'T know, turning obstacles into opportunities, and bringing data to life in a way that transforms your strategy. Are you ready to tap into the full potential of your data and drive real change in your organization? Your journey starts here.