As AI and BI projects race to deliver quick wins, many organizations overlook what truly determines long-term success: the people behind the data. In this episode of The AI Forecast, Jen Stirrup, author, speaker, and founder of Data Relish, joins host Paul Muller to dissect the difference between data literacy (reading the numbers) and data fluency (speaking the language of business). Jen challenges the industry’s obsession with AI FOMO, warning that rushing to deploy models on shaky cultural foundations is the fastest way to derail ROI. Drawing on real-world data horror stories, she explains why tools alone cannot fix a broken culture and how mentorship, collaboration, and practical skills can empower teams to work independently and intelligently with data. Listen in to discover: Why poor data culture is the silent killer of AI ROI. How to move your team from passive observation to active questioning. Practical steps to build an environment where it is safe to challenge the data. Did you enjoy this deep dive on data culture? Check out Episode 5: Data Doesn’t Have To Be So Complicated with Jordan Morrow for another perspective on the literacy debate: https://youtu.be/IWIx-m9pJDU?si=fwHfwSR9ynbU91Cw Stay in touch with Jen: Jen Stirrup on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/jenstirrup Jen Stirrup’s AI and data books: https://jenstirrup.com/books/   +++ Follow and subscribe to The AI Forecast for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of enterprise AI.

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