Ari Kaplan is Global Head of Evangelism at Databricks, where he works with organizations worldwide to advance the use of data and AI at scale. His career spans multiple waves of technological change, from early database systems and the rise of the internet to modern lakehouse architectures and AI-driven platforms.
Ari began as one of the early pioneers in sports analytics, helping establish analytics departments for Major League Baseball teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles. His work contributed to the broader “Moneyball” movement, demonstrating how data could fundamentally reshape decision-making. He later applied these principles in Formula 1 racing, a highly data-intensive environment where real-time insights are critical.
Ari’s experience in sports reinforced a core belief that while data can transform industries, human judgment remains central to effective decision-making. He later joined Oracle during its formative years, gaining firsthand experience of how enterprises scale data capabilities, and eventually served as President of the worldwide Oracle users group.
At Databricks, Ari focuses on helping organizations harness next-generation data platforms capable of operating at massive scale while integrating AI into core processes. Through his global evangelism work, Ari continues to emphasize that while AI is driving innovation, strong data foundations remain essential to delivering sustained impact.
Which traits and skills do you believe matter most for effective data and AI leadership? Which of these have been most influential in your organization and why?
“The most effective data and AI leaders will need to be constant learners (given the rapid advance of AI), influencers (so others take action themselves), storytellers and visionaries (to paint the picture of the future), realists (to move from experimentation to real value), agile (and willing to fail fast), strategic (to ensure their company’s bottom line grows and is competitive for their market), and hands-on (being able to actually use AI themselves every single day, and in every way possible).
“All of these have been effective in my career. The movie Moneyball showed the importance of using data and analytics (a precursor to AI) to change an entire industry. Teams had to ‘adapt or die’ in the same way many companies face the same inflection points today. We showed that data could help teams make more informed decisions and had to differentiate where data can be predictive and where human evaluation is needed. And how they can compliment each other especially when detailing with human behavior and the complexities of the real world. Every company can use these traits.”
Reflecting on your career, what is one non-traditional piece of advice (outside of technical skills) you would give to an aspiring data or AI leader aiming for the C-suite?
“Focus on being the best in your current role, and not solely looking for ‘what’s next’ in your career. In my earlier days of my career, I was always striving to reach the next level, and once I achieved it, I started looking again for the next advancement.
“Yes, it is good to be ambitious but so much can be learned, anxiety reduced, and more qualified career growth through being the best in the moment, living in the present.”