Building Trust in AI: Why Business Context Matters
As organizations increasingly adopt copilots, AI agents, and conversational analytics, many are discovering that data alone is not enough.
For AI to deliver accurate, consistent, and trustworthy answers, it must understand the business context behind the data. Metrics, definitions, business rules, governance, and organizational knowledge all play a critical role in determining whether AI becomes a trusted advisor or simply another source of confusion.
While many organizations are focused on selecting AI tools and platforms, fewer are addressing the foundational capabilities required to ensure AI-generated insights are aligned with how their business actually operates.
Join the Canadian Analytics Collaborative (CAC) Industry Hub for an interactive evening of learning, discussion, and networking as we explore what it takes to build trust in AI and why business context may be one of the most important ingredients for successful AI adoption.
This is not a product demonstration or vendor presentation. The session is designed as a practitioner-focused discussion that explores real-world challenges, lessons learned, and practical approaches to building trusted AI experiences within organizations.
Session Overview
During this session, Shree will explore:
Why business context is becoming essential for successful AI adoption.
The challenges organizations face when AI generates answers without understanding business definitions, metrics, and rules.
How leading organizations establish trusted metrics, consistent definitions, and governance frameworks.
The evolving role of semantic layers in creating reliable and explainable AI experiences.
Practical architectures that connect source systems, analytics platforms, business knowledge, and AI agents.
A phased approach to building an AI-ready foundation without trying to solve everything at once.
Curated Industry Discussion
Following the presentation, participants will engage in a facilitated industry discussion moderated by Ashraf Ghonaim.
Discussion themes may include:
What does trustworthy AI look like from a business leader's perspective?
Why do AI initiatives struggle when business definitions, metrics, and governance frameworks are inconsistent?
Are organizations investing enough in business context and semantic understanding before deploying AI?
Is data quality really the biggest challenge, or is the lack of shared business meaning and context?
How can organizations balance AI innovation with governance, accountability, and trust?
What role should analytics and data leaders play in establishing confidence in AI-generated insights?
How do organizations measure the business value and impact of trusted AI initiatives?
What foundational capabilities should organizations establish before implementing AI agents and copilots at scale?
The discussion will draw on the collective experience of attendees and encourage the sharing of real-world challenges, lessons learned, and practical approaches to AI, analytics, governance, and business transformation.
Event Format
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Registration, refreshments, and networking
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Presentation by Shree Neve
6:15 PM – 7:00 PM
Curated Industry Discussion moderated by Ashraf Ghonaim
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Networking and peer-to-peer conversations
Who Should Attend
Chief Data Officers, CIOs, and Technology Leaders
Directors and Managers of Data & Analytics
Business Intelligence Professionals
Data Architects and Engineers
AI and Machine Learning Practitioners
Digital Transformation Leaders
Consultants and Advisors
Business Owners and Decision Makers
Professionals responsible for data governance, analytics, AI, innovation, or digital transformation initiatives
Why Attend
Understand why business context is becoming a critical success factor for AI.
Gain practical insights from experienced industry leaders.
Learn how organizations are approaching AI trust, governance, semantic modeling, and decision intelligence.
Explore practical strategies for building trusted, consistent, and explainable AI experiences.
Learn from the collective experiences of fellow practitioners and leaders.
Participate in a meaningful discussion designed to move beyond theory and explore practical, real-world opportunities and challenges.
Build valuable professional relationships within Canada's growing analytics and AI community.
Featured Speaker
Shree Neve
VP Operations, North America | ClicData
Shree Neve is a Data and AI Strategist with more than 12 years of experience helping organizations build trusted, decision-ready data environments. As Vice President of Operations, North America at ClicData, he works at the intersection of data architecture, analytics, governance, and AI adoption, helping organizations establish the foundations required for scalable and trustworthy AI.
Over the course of his career, Shree has led hundreds of analytics and data modernization initiatives across industries including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and marketing. His work focuses on the practical capabilities that enable successful AI adoption, including data quality, governance, metadata management, semantic modeling, business context, and trusted analytical frameworks.
Shree is a frequent speaker and thought leader on topics related to analytics modernization, semantic intelligence, AI readiness, and responsible AI adoption.
Industry Discussion Moderator
Ashraf Ghonaim
Microsoft MVP – Data Platform (Fabric & Power BI) | Strategic Management & Analytics Consultant | Instructor, University of Calgary
Ashraf Ghonaim is a Microsoft MVP, analytics leader, educator, and strategic management professional with extensive experience helping organizations leverage data, analytics, and technology to improve business performance and decision-making.
His background spans business intelligence, performance management, Lean Six Sigma, strategic planning, business analytics, and modern data platforms. Ashraf currently teaches Microsoft Fabric and Power BI at the University of Calgary and has led enterprise-wide analytics and performance management initiatives within large public-sector organizations.
Drawing upon his experience across strategy, governance, analytics, and organizational transformation, Ashraf will facilitate an engaging discussion focused on the practical realities of building trusted AI solutions within today's organizations.
Hosted By
Sajid Pathan
Founder, Canadian Analytics Collaborative (CAC) | Principal Consultant, Business Analytics Consulting Group (BACG)
Sajid Pathan is a business intelligence and analytics leader with more than 20 years of technology leadership experience and over 15 years delivering business intelligence, analytics, and data transformation initiatives across multiple industries. He founded the Canadian Analytics Collaborative to create opportunities for professionals, leaders, and organizations to learn, connect, and collaborate around data, analytics, and AI.
Why a Registration Fee?
Unlike large conferences, CAC Industry Hub events are intentionally designed to encourage meaningful discussion, peer learning, and relationship building. Attendance is limited to create a more engaging experience, and the registration fee helps support the venue and event experience while ensuring a committed group of participants who are interested in learning, sharing perspectives, and building meaningful professional connections.
Registration
Attendance is limited to 25 participants to encourage meaningful discussion, participation, and networking.
Applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced mix of professional backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
As part of the registration process, applicants will be asked to share what interests them most about the topic and what perspective or experience they hope to contribute to the discussion.
Light refreshments will be provided.
We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging evening of learning, discussion, and professional networking with members of Canada's data, analytics, and AI community.