Why Context Matters: Data Contracts, Data Products and AI

Join us for an informal evening at The Lord Roberts with Jean-Georges “JGP” Perrin, Chair of the Linux Foundation’s Bitol Project and Actian's Technology Strategist, alongside Charles "Charlie" Wood, Actian Principal Solution Architect with deep expertise in data management, integration, and governance and Amir Hamza, Actian Presales Engineer specializing in data governance and metadata management. Agenda: Session Brief: Everyone is talking about AI, but organizations often overlook the foundation that makes it successful: trusted, well-governed data. Without context, ownership, quality standards, and clear business meaning, organizations risk feeding AI systems incomplete or inconsistent information, leading to unreliable outcomes.In this session, JGP explores why context is becoming a critical component of modern data platforms, and how Data Contracts and Data Products help organizations build more reliable analytics and AI initiatives. Charlie and Amir will provide a brief demonstrate of how the Actian Intelligence Platform enables organizations to implement and scale Data Contracts ensuring trusted, consistent, and AI-ready data across enterprise.The presentation will be followed by an interactive panel discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with JGP, Charlie, and Amir and exchange ideas on challenges and opportunities organizations face on their Data and AI journeys.About Jean-Georges Perrin JGP is part of Actian's Office of the CTO, where he helps shape the company's vision for Data Products, Data Contracts, and modern data architectures. With more than 25 years of experience in data architecture—including a tenure as Principal Architect at Expedia—he now chairs the Linux Foundation's Bitol project, driving the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS). The author of Building Data Products, Implementing Data Mesh, and Spark in Action, JGP is a recognized thought leader, Lifetime IBM Champion, and Data Mesh MVP dedicated to helping organizations balance data governance with innovation. About Charles Wood Charlie is a Senior Sales Engineer with over 15 years of experience in data management and analytics. Throughout his career, he has held various roles across the data technology landscape, bringing deep expertise in areas such as data integration, data catalogs, and governance frameworks. At Actian, Charlie plays a pivotal role in supporting the field sales organization, working closely with customers and go-to-market teams to address complex data governance challenges. His ability to translate technical capabilities into strategic business value has made him a trusted advisor to both clients and colleagues. With a background that bridges hands-on data expertise and solution-oriented sales engineering, Charlie is passionate about helping organizations unlock the full potential of their data assets in a governed, scalable, and future-ready way. About Amir Hamza Amir Hamza is a seasoned data and technology specialist, currently serving as a Presales Engineer at Actian. With over a decade of experience, Amir has built a career at the intersection of customer engagement, data management, and enterprise software. He began his professional journey in IT administration at EASYTEAM, before moving into professional services at Clarizen, where he supported clients in deploying project management solutions. In 2020, Amir joined Zeenea as a Customer Success Manager, quickly becoming a trusted expert in data governance and metadata management. His passion for enabling organizations to maximize the value of their data led him to transition into a Pre-Sales Engineer role in 2022, where he focused on aligning Zeenea’s capabilities with clients’ data strategies. Amir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Technology Administration from Université Paris Descartes.About Actian Actian empowers enterprises to confidently manage and govern data at scale. Organizations trust Actian data management and data intelligence solutions to streamline complex data environments and accelerate the delivery of AI-ready data. Designed to be flexible, Actian solutions integrate seamlessly and perform reliably across on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments. Learn more about Actian, the data and AI division of HCLSoftware, at actian.com. Venue:The Lord Roberts64 Stanley StreetDarlinghurst NSW 2010