Open Data Circle – Data Agent Meetup #1
Overview
AI agents are moving from demos to real-world systems.
As this shift happens, the key question is no longer only what models can do, but how agents can access, understand, and act on data.
This meetup marks the beginning of a new Open Data Circle series focused on Data Agents and the infrastructure behind them. We will explore how modern data systems may evolve to support agentic workflows — from architecture and cloud AI platforms to real-time and multimodal data infrastructure.
This new series extends ODC’s ongoing exploration of modern data systems toward the infrastructure needed by real-world AI agents.
Agenda
All sessions will be conducted in English; no live translation will be provided.
18:30 – 19:00: Arrival & Check-In (Late arrivals cannot enter the venue after 19:00)
19:00 – 19:05: Opening Remarks
19:05 – 19:25: Talk #1 – Data Agents Need an Agent-facing Data Plane (Zhiyan Xiao, Open Data Circle)
19:25 – 19:45: Talk #2 – Alibaba Cloud’s “AI + Cloud Strategy” and Initiatives (Yuichi Fujikawa, Alibaba Cloud Japan)
19:45 – 20:05: Talk #3 – Apache Fluss: A Real-Time Data Foundation for Intelligent Systems (Yuqing Guan, Open Data Circle)
20:05 – 20:20: Open Discussion (Q&A, sharing, etc.)
20:20 – 21:30: Networking Session
Agenda is subject to minor adjustments before showtime; check this page or your Luma updates for the latest schedule.
Session Materials
Slides from talks at this meetup are available on SpeakerDeck:
Speakers
Organizer, Open Data Circle
Data Agents Need an Agent-facing Data Plane
As AI agents become more capable, the bottleneck increasingly shifts from model intelligence to the infrastructure that gives agents reliable access to data.
This opening session introduces the core theme of the meetup: what changes when data systems are no longer designed only for dashboards, pipelines, and human analysts, but also for agents that retrieve, reason, and act.
We will discuss why Data Agents need a dedicated data plane, and how ideas such as real-time context, multimodal data, metadata, governance, and action-oriented workflows may reshape the next generation of data infrastructure.
Solutions Architect, Alibaba Cloud Japan
Alibaba Cloud’s “AI + Cloud Strategy” and Initiatives
This session introduces Alibaba Cloud’s unique AI strategy and the latest updates on its open and diverse family of AI models, including Qwen and Wan. We will also present several practical use cases demonstrating how these technologies are applied in real-world scenarios.
After starting his career at a major telecommunications company, Mr. Fujikawa worked at a management consulting firm before becoming independent. He has extensive experience in launching new ventures and leading development projects related to web/mobile applications and AI. Following his tenure as CTO of a startup, he currently joins Alibaba Cloud, where he primarily focuses on AI-related initiatives.
Organizer, Open Data Circle
Apache Fluss: A Real-Time Data Foundation for Intelligent Systems
As AI systems increasingly require real-time, multimodal, and vector-native data access, new infrastructure patterns are emerging beyond traditional batch-oriented data platforms.
This session explores how technologies such as Apache Fluss and Lance may contribute to future AI-native data systems, especially around fresh data, streaming storage, multimodal data, and agent-facing data infrastructure.
Who Should Attend
This meetup is designed for:
Data engineers and platform engineers
ML / AI engineers
Infrastructure engineers
People working on RAG, AI agents, or data platforms
Anyone interested in how data infrastructure evolves in the age of agents
Organizers and Partners
Open Data Circle (ODC)
Open Data Circle (ODC) is an independent community based in Tokyo that connects data engineers, platform builders, and open-source enthusiasts who are passionate about building the future of data systems together. We explore modern data architectures — from streaming and lakehouse to AI-native systems — through hands-on meetups, open discussions, and collaborative projects. ODC aims to create a friendly and high-quality space where professionals across companies can exchange ideas, learn from each other, and drive innovation in the data ecosystem.
Alibaba Cloud (https://www.alibabacloud.com/) is a global leader in full-stack artificial intelligence services, offering state-of-the-art intelligent capabilities and a worldwide AI cloud computing network, providing developer-friendly AI services across the globe. Qwen (Chinese: Tongyi Qianwen) is a family of large language and multimodal AI models developed by Alibaba. Debuted in 2023, open-weight Qwen models are available to global developers via HuggingFace and ModelScope.
Location
Onsite: LODGE, LY Corporation Head Office, Tokyo. Detailed arrival instructions will be shared later.
Online: Zoom dial-in details will be shared closer to the event via Luma.