From Data Projects to Data Products: Essential Skills for AI Leaders

With Elena Alikhachkina — 4x Chief AI & Data Officer and Board Advisor

What does it really take to move from data projects to data products?

In this episode, Ben Parker speaks with Elena Alikhachkina about one of the biggest shifts happening across Data and AI and why technical expertise alone is no longer enough.

Drawing on more than 25 years in the industry, Elena explores how organisations can build more customer-focused, commercially relevant Data and AI products through stronger product thinking, business understanding and collaboration.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• Why Data and AI teams need to think in products, not projects
• How to connect technical work to business outcomes
• Why product skills are becoming essential in AI
• Bridging the gap between business and technology
• The growing importance of communication and commercial awareness
• The skills future Data and AI leaders need to develop

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:33 Elena’s career and leadership journey
09:17 From data projects to data products
15:06 Building a product mindset in Data & AI
22:34 The skills Data & AI professionals need next
29:50 Bridging business and technology
34:00 Turning product thinking into business value

Thank you for listening!