What IT Leaders Still Get Wrong About Data in the AI Era with NetApp’s Ray LaMarca

If AI feels like the right move but you’re still not seeing results, this episode reframes where the real problem is.In this conversation, Tonya sits down with Ray LaMarca, Director of Solutions Engineering at NetApp, to unpack why most AI initiatives stall out before they ever deliver value. It’s not the tools. It’s the foundation underneath them.They break down what’s actually going wrong behind the scenes, from siloed data and security risks to misalignment between business and IT. Ray shares what he’s seeing across enterprise teams, where companies are overspending, and why ROI is taking longer than expected.This episode is a grounded look at what it really takes to turn AI from an experiment into a strategic advantage and why it all starts with your data. In this episode, they explore:Why most AI projects fail before they ever reach production and what’s really causing itThe hidden breakdown between business and IT and how it impacts resultsWhy data security is still the number one concern for IT leaders in the AI eraHow siloed data systems create inefficiencies, risk, and missed opportunitiesWhat actually happens when your data isn’t clean, complete, or protectedWhy massive investments in GPUs and cloud infrastructure aren’t delivering ROIThe real reason companies are slow to see value from AI initiativesHow supply chain, timing, and misaligned investments derail outcomesWhy asking better questions is the fastest way to avoid failureWhat it means for IT to shift from cost center to revenue driverHow partnerships, not just products, determine success in modern IT strategyReal world examples of companies using AI and data to drive efficiency and innovationWhat IT leaders should prioritize over the next 12 to 18 months to stay competitive Important Links:https://app.technologymatch.com/solutions/netapp-ai-data-enginehttps://app.technologymatch.com/solutions/netapp-afx