March 2025 – Blend is excited to announce the renewal of our strategic partnership with DataIQ, strengthening our shared mission of empowering Chief Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs) with the frameworks, insights, and best practices needed to scale AI successfully.

As the Headline Partner of the 2025 DataIQ 100 Summit North America, Blend will continue to play a pivotal role in fostering discussions on AI adoption, data transformation, and enterprise-wide AI deployment.

"Blend is excited to sponsor the 2025 DataIQ Summit, a premier gathering of data and AI leaders shaping the future of our industry,” shared Adam Mincham, Blend’s SVP of Go-to-Market. “DataIQ goes beyond strategy on paper—actively delivering high-value solutions that drive real impact. This event is a powerful opportunity to connect, exchange insights, and help advance AI and analytics. Blend is proud to be supporting and advancing this community forward.”

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Why AI Initiatives Stall—And How Blend is Helping CDAOs Scale AI

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AI adoption is no longer an experiment—it’s a business imperative. Yet, many Chief Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs) face a persistent challenge: getting AI beyond the proof-of-concept stage and into full-scale production.

Too often, AI initiatives stall due to misalignment between business goals, data infrastructure, and operational execution. Without a clear strategy, AI adoption remains fragmented, slow, and difficult to scale.

That’s why Blend developed the Critical 7 framework—a structured, repeatable approach to scaling AI that helps organizations successfully deploy models in real-world environments.

Early industry discussions show that organizations applying Critical 7 are four times more likely to move AI from POC to production.

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How Critical 7 Solves AI’s Scalability Gap

• AI Must Deliver Business Value – AI success isn’t just technical performance; it must drive revenue, cost savings, or risk reduction.

• Data Readiness is Non-Negotiable – Poor data governance and accessibility derail AI. Critical 7 ensures data is enterprise-ready before deployment.

• Scaling AI Requires More Than Technology – AI must integrate into real workflows with monitoring, explainability, and continuous optimization.

• Stakeholder Buy-In is Key – Without executive alignment, even the best AI solutions fail. Critical 7 bridges the gap between AI teams and business leaders.

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At DataIQ 2025, Blend will take a deep dive into Critical 7, sharing insights from real-world AI deployments and engaging with CDAOs on how to break through AI adoption barriers.

Blend at the 2025 DataIQ Summit: Bringing AI Strategy to Life

As the Headline Partner of the 2025 DataIQ 100 Summit North America, Blend is deepening its commitment to empowering CDAOs with the frameworks, insights, and best practices needed to scale AI successfully.

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What to Expect at DataIQ 2025

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Ozgur Dogan to Deliver a Headline Keynote – Following last year’s highly rated session on AI at scale, Blend’s President of Solutions and Service Lines, Oz Dogan, returns to the stage to share insights on turning AI investments into enterprise-wide impact.

Exclusive Networking & Knowledge Exchange – Blend will facilitate discussions with top CDAOs, data scientists, and AI strategists to explore the future of AI and data at scale.

Critical 7 Deep-Dive – A behind-the-scenes look at how leading organizations are using Critical 7 to accelerate AI deployment and maximize business outcomes.

Sponsorship of the DataIQ AI Awards – Recognizing outstanding achievements in data and AI, including categories such as Most Innovative Use of AI and Best Place to Work in Data & AI.

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Reflecting on a Year of Impact: Research & Thought Leadership

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Through research, thought leadership, and industry events, Blend and DataIQ have been at the forefront of AI adoption conversations, equipping data leaders with the insights needed to drive real-world impact.

In 2024, we released The CDAO’s Blueprint for AI Transformation, a research-backed analysis of how top CDAOs are leading AI-driven change. This study provided a practical roadmap for data executives looking to operationalize AI and bridge the gap between experimentation and production. Read the full report.

Beyond research, Blend took the stage at the 2024 DataIQ 100 Summit in Miami, where our leadership team led discussions on enterprise AI transformation:

• Ozgur Dogan (Blend) and John Lee (NBCUniversal) delivered a keynote on scaling GenAI beyond proof-of-concept.

• Rob Fuller (Blend) moderated a panel featuring leaders from Delek, Credit Suisse, T-Mobile, and Destination Canada, tackling AI adoption and business integration.

In addition, Blend and DataIQ co-authored industry-leading reports shaping the strategic direction of AI and data leadership:

• Confronting the Top Data Function Challenges as a Leader – Addressing the most pressing challenges facing today’s data leaders.

• Succeed with AI: Building a Future-Ready Organization – How to align AI investments with business goals to drive sustainable impact.

• The Data Literacy Blueprint: Maximizing Organizational Value and Impact – A roadmap for improving data fluency at scale and unlocking business value from AI.

Celebrating AI Excellence: Blend at the DataIQ AI Awards

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Blend’s commitment to AI innovation and workplace excellence has been recognized at the DataIQ AI Awards, where we’ve earned top honors for our cutting-edge AI solutions and culture.

At last year’s awards, Blend won:
🏆 AI-Enabling Solution of the Year – For our GPT-powered AI solution transforming customer interactions for a major insurance provider.
🏆 Best Place to Work in AI and Data – Vendor Side – Recognizing our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace for AI and data professionals.

This year, Blend is once again shortlisted for multiple awards, continuing our legacy of AI excellence and leadership. See the full shortlist here.

Beyond the awards, Blend is proud to sponsor the DataIQ AI Awards Gala Dinner, where the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders will be recognized. We look forward to celebrating the breakthroughs and best practices shaping the future of AI.

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