Why Context Matters: Data Contracts, Data Products and AI
Grab a drink and pull up a seat at The Lord Roberts, because we're talking data, AI, and why context is the secret sauce nobody wants to admit they're missing. Everyone's racing to build AI into everything, but here's the awkward truth: if your data is a mess, your AI will be too. Join Jean-Georges "JGP" Perrin (Chair of the Linux Foundation's Bitol Project and Actian's Technology Strategist) as he breaks down why Data Contracts and Data Products are the unsung heroes of trustworthy analytics and AI. He'll be joined by Charlie Wood and Amir Hamza from Actian, who'll show off a live demo of Data Contracts in action before we open the floor for a panel discussion where you can grill all three of them with your toughest questions.
Expect good conversation, better company, and zero corporate jargon overload. Whether you're knee-deep in data governance or just AI-curious and want to understand what actually makes these systems reliable, come pull up a chair, enjoy a drink on us, and stick around after for more chat and networking. Doors open early for drinks and mingling before the main event kicks off.
Agenda:
5:00 PM – Arrival, drinks, and networking
6:00 PM – Presentation: Why Context Matters: Data Contracts, Data Products and AI (30 minutes + Q&A)
6:45 PM – Actian Data Contracts Demo
7:00 PM – Panel discussion and audience Q&A
7:30 PM – Networking
8:00 PM – Event concludes
Session Brief:
Everyone is talking about AI, but organizations often overlook the foundation that makes it successful: trusted, well-governed data. Without context, ownership, quality standards, and clear business meaning, organizations risk feeding AI systems incomplete or inconsistent information, leading to unreliable outcomes.
In this session, JGP explores why context is becoming a critical component of modern data platforms, and how Data Contracts and Data Products help organizations build more reliable analytics and AI initiatives.
Charlie and Amir will provide a brief demonstrate of how the Actian Intelligence Platform enables organizations to implement and scale Data Contracts ensuring trusted, consistent, and AI-ready data across enterprise.
The presentation will be followed by an interactive panel discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with JGP, Charlie, and Amir and exchange ideas on challenges and opportunities organizations face on their Data and AI journeys.
About Jean-Georges Perrin
JGP is part of Actian's Office of the CTO, where he helps shape the company's vision for Data Products, Data Contracts, and modern data architectures. With more than 25 years of experience in data architecture—including a tenure as Principal Architect at Expedia—he now chairs the Linux Foundation's Bitol project, driving the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS).
The author of Building Data Products, Implementing Data Mesh, and Spark in Action, JGP is a recognized thought leader, Lifetime IBM Champion, and Data Mesh MVP dedicated to helping organizations balance data governance with innovation.
About Charles Wood
Charlie is a Senior Sales Engineer with over 15 years of experience in data management and analytics. Throughout his career, he has held various roles across the data technology landscape, bringing deep expertise in areas such as data integration, data catalogs, and governance frameworks.
At Actian, Charlie plays a pivotal role in supporting the field sales organization, working closely with customers and go-to-market teams to address complex data governance challenges. His ability to translate technical capabilities into strategic business value has made him a trusted advisor to both clients and colleagues.
With a background that bridges hands-on data expertise and solution-oriented sales engineering, Charlie is passionate about helping organizations unlock the full potential of their data assets in a governed, scalable, and future-ready way.
About Amir Hamza
Amir Hamza is a seasoned data and technology specialist, currently serving as a Presales Engineer at Actian. With over a decade of experience, Amir has built a career at the intersection of customer engagement, data management, and enterprise software.
He began his professional journey in IT administration at EASYTEAM, before moving into professional services at Clarizen, where he supported clients in deploying project management solutions. In 2020, Amir joined Zeenea as a Customer Success Manager, quickly becoming a trusted expert in data governance and metadata management. His passion for enabling organizations to maximize the value of their data led him to transition into a Pre-Sales Engineer role in 2022, where he focused on aligning Zeenea’s capabilities with clients’ data strategies.
Amir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Technology Administration from Université Paris Descartes.
About Actian
Actian empowers enterprises to confidently manage and govern data at scale. Organizations trust Actian data management and data intelligence solutions to streamline complex data environments and accelerate the delivery of AI-ready data. Designed to be flexible, Actian solutions integrate seamlessly and perform reliably across on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments. Learn more about Actian, the data and AI division of HCLSoftware, at actian.com.