Ari Kaplan’s career is not defined by a single breakthrough or a fleeting moment of success, but by sustained, industry-shaping impact across multiple paradigms in data and AI. What makes his candidacy for Data and AI Leader of the Year stand out include his current achievements at Databricks and the depth and breadth of his influence over decades.
In his current role, Ari has delivered measurable impact at scale. He played a key role in driving the company’s 60% revenue growth and $62 billion valuation, capped off by the largest private equity raise in tech history: $10 billion in 2024. His contribution is not limited to boardroom metrics; Ari understands that in a noisy market, influence and credibility are key. His “Live from the Lakehouse” livestream drew over 75,000 registrants and was responsible for nearly half of the revenue pipeline from Databricks’ flagship conference, demonstrating conversion at scale.
Content is one of Ari’s superpowers. He co-authored The Data Intelligence Platform for Dummies and Data Lakehouse Platform for Dummies, with the latter becoming the most downloaded eBook in the company’s history. His ability to translate complex technology into accessible, compelling narratives has positioned him as a go-to authority for both practitioners and C-level decision-makers. With a social media reach exceeding 10 million annually, he has built a platform that influences the entire ecosystem.
What truly sets Ari apart is his long game. He is not new to transforming industries with data. He was one of the pioneers of sports analytics, founding the analytics department at the Chicago Cubs and contributing to the movement that inspired Moneyball. His career has consistently anticipated the next paradigm: early mobile software innovation before the iPhone, AutoML adoption during his time at DataRobot, and now generative AI and data intelligence at Databricks.
Ari’s global presence is just as impressive. He is a keynote fixture at major events from New York to London to Bangalore. He emceed the inaugural DataIQ USA event and regularly headlines major industry events. He is present and energizing rooms, sparking dialogue, and shifting how people think about AI’s role in business.
Ari is deeply involved in revenue generation, helping drive more than $50 million annually. Ari travels globally alongside Databricks executives, engaging directly with customers and prospects (many from the Fortune 500) as a trusted adviser on AI strategy. This blend of commercial acumen, technical fluency, and storytelling is rare and is what makes him so effective.
In a year when AI went from buzzword to boardroom priority, Ari was already shaping the conversation, educating the market, and delivering real-world outcomes. That is what leadership in this space looks like.
