Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 London: Day 1 Highlights

We are bringing you news and highlights from the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, taking place this week in London, U.K. Below is a collection of the key announcements and insights coming out of the conference.

On Day 1 from the conference, we are highlighting the Gartner opening keynote presentation on scaling data and analytics for AI, as well as sessions on the top analytics/AI challenges and how to prepare for the adoption of AI agents. Be sure to check this page throughout the day for updates.

Presented by Jorg Heizenberg, VP Analyst and Aura Popa, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

With high D&A ambitions and AI pilots becoming increasingly ubiquitous, focus is shifting toward consistent execution. In this keynote, Jorg Heizenberg, VP Analyst at Gartner and Aura Popa, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, discussed how D&A leaders can continue innovating and experimenting with their data while scaling success for the AI journey.

• “49% of organizations say demonstrating the value of AI is a top barrier.”

• “Over half of organizations have issues with their data.”

• “Businesses not understanding D&A is a top three challenge to D&A leaders.”

• “Data quality is the top risk responsibility for D&A leaders.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Laurence Goasduff at laurence.goasduff@gartner.com.

Presented by Neil Chandler, Managing Vice President, Gartner

D&A leaders face many challenges when it comes to analytics and AI. In this session, Neil Chandler, Managing Vice President at Gartner, discussed the top fears, risks, objections and hurdles D&A leaders face when it comes to these topics and how to handle them.

• Challenge No. 1: Establish Trust: “Provide a heads-up of industry and technology trends to key stakeholders — focus on impact, not hype.”

• Challenge No. 2: Demonstrate Benefits: “Tie data pain points and opportunities to organizational goals by pinpointing what is inhibiting data-driven decision making and determining its downstream impact on business outcomes.”

• Challenge No. 3: Establish a solutions-first approach: “A modern data and analytics strategy architecture fosters data quality and data governance as a source for real-time insights and actionable response across functions.” 

• Challenge No. 4: Focus on more than just the technology: “A solutions-first approach requires a deep understanding of the problem and what it's causing. Once the problem is understood, identify or create a solution to address it. Technology changes quickly, so stay open to new possibilities.”

• Challenge No. 5: Determine responsibilities between business and IT: “Set up a hybrid multi-tiered organizational model and determine where to position the global hub and CDAO. Balance traditional and emerging roles and actively engage with domain roles.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Laurence Goasduff at laurence.goasduff@gartner.com.

Presented by Birgi Tamersoy, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

AI agents are emerging as an important trend since they enable levels of business adaptability, flexibility and agility that traditional AI systems can’t achieve. In this session, Birgi Tamersoy, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, discussed how autonomous behaviors, despite significant societal, legal and ethical implications, are the answer to the increasing complexity in enterprise systems.

• “Identify the organization’s solutions where AI agents can really make a difference given their intrinsic capabilities.”

• “Prepare software engineering teams for disruptive practice where AI agents make sense.”

• “Implement a comprehensive AI literacy program as the deployment of AI agents implies a deeper understanding of composite AI techniques.” 

• “Prepare for the next stage of AI agents by exploring software simulation environments.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Laurence Goasduff at laurence.goasduff@gartner.com.