From Neural Networks to the Boardroom - Leading AI in Large Organisations with Tom Heath

In this episode of The Databricks Diaries, I sit down with Tom Heath, a data and AI leader who has spent the last 20+ years working across data, semantic technologies, machine learning, and organisational transformation.Tom shares a really thoughtful perspective on how the conversation has shifted — from having to convince people AI mattered, to helping organisations work out what to actually do with it.We talk about what it takes to lead AI inside large, complex businesses, why so many projects still fail, and why technical capability on its own is never enough.This is a grounded conversation on strategy, leadership, operating models, and the real work required to turn AI into something meaningful.Key topics covered:Why the public arrival of ChatGPT changed executive conversations overnightThe link between data structure, semantics, and the future of intelligent agentsWhy AI success depends on more than just technical executionThe difference between efficiency, quality, and innovation as AI value driversWhy some AI projects succeed technically but still fail commerciallyThe importance of problem definition before touching the technologyWhat leaders should focus on when building AI capability inside large organisations