We have just wrapped Data + AI World Tour in London, and as expected, it was a huge day for us and for the Databricks community. The day brought together people who build with Databricks every day and people who are deciding how to take their next step. That mix is important. It keeps us honest, it pushes our thinking, and it lets us share what works in the real world, not just what looks good in slides.
What we shared
Our session with First Central, led by our Chief AI Officer,
Gavi Regunath, and First Central's Alana Robertson, told
a simple story:
Strong data foundations make production AI possible.
It was standing room only, which says a lot about where the community is right now. People want less noise and more proof that ideas turn into outcomes.
a simple story:
Strong data foundations make production AI possible.
It was standing room only, which says a lot about where the community is right now. People want less noise and more proof that ideas turn into outcomes.
On the stand we kept things hands on. We brought a small “spin to win” app that we built on Databricks Apps with a React front end and Unity Catalog recording the results.
It was a light way to show how quickly you can move when governance, data and user experience live in one place.
It was a light way to show how quickly you can move when governance, data and user experience live in one place.
We finished the day by co‑hosting a Financial Services Happy Hour with Databricks. It was a good chance to slow down, compare notes and connect teams who rarely get time together.
Why it matters for our clients
Most of the conversations we had were not about chasing the next shiny tool. They were about how to move from pilots to production, how to keep models monitored and safe, and how to prove value without slowing teams down. That is where we do our best work. If we can help a client move faster with less risk, the technology takes care of itself.
Why it matters for the Databricks community
Events like this remind us that the community is the engine. The questions we heard will shape our next set of blogs, videos and meetups. They also shape the patterns and accelerators we invest in. When we say we are learning in public, this is what we mean.
Moments that stood out
- A full and lively audience for the First Central talk, with lots of practical questions about operating AI in production.
- A sold‑out event with a strong spread of practitioners and leaders .
- Hundreds of meaningful conversations at the stand, many with people who already use Databricks day to day.
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, asked a hard question, shared a lesson learned or introduced us to a colleague. Thank you to the Databricks team for the partnership and to First Central for telling the story from a customer’s point of view. We will keep sharing what we learn and we will keep showing our work.
