July 20, 2027 · MIT Museum, Cambridge

A Day Built for Depth.

Every session is designed for candid, off-the-record dialogue between peers. No vendor pitches. No panels for the sake of panels. Just the conversations that matter.

Agenda subject to change. Final schedule distributed to confirmed attendees.

08:00 – 09:00Registration

Arrival & Registration

Main Foyer
09:00 – 09:30Opening

Welcome & Summit Opening

Opening remarks from the summit chair. An overview of the day's themes, ground rules for candid dialogue, and what makes this gathering different.

Summit ChairMain Auditorium
09:30 – 10:15Keynote

The CDO Mandate in 2026: Authority, Accountability, and the AI Inflection Point

A frank assessment of how the Chief Data Officer role has evolved — and what the next 18 months demand. From board-level accountability to operationalising AI at scale, this session sets the strategic context for the day.

Keynote SpeakerMain Auditorium
10:15 – 11:00Roundtable

Data Governance in the Age of Generative AI

Facilitated peer roundtable. How are CDOs adapting governance frameworks for LLM-generated content, synthetic data, and AI-assisted decision-making? Chatham House rules apply.

Facilitated DiscussionRoundtable Rooms
11:00 – 11:20Break

Networking Break

Terrace Lounge
11:20 – 12:05Session

From Data Strategy to Business Outcome: Closing the Execution Gap

Three CDOs share how they have moved from strategy documents to measurable commercial impact — and what they would do differently. Structured as a candid peer exchange, not a presentation.

Peer Exchange PanelMain Auditorium
12:05 – 13:15Lunch

Executive Lunch

Dining Room
13:15 – 14:00Keynote

Building the Data-Literate Organisation: Lessons from the Front Line

What does it actually take to shift data culture across a large enterprise? This session draws on real transformation journeys — the wins, the setbacks, and the leadership decisions that made the difference.

Keynote SpeakerMain Auditorium
14:00 – 14:45Roundtable

The CDO and the Board: Communicating Data Value at the Highest Level

Facilitated peer roundtable. How do you translate data strategy into language that resonates with the board and C-suite? What metrics matter, and which ones mislead? Chatham House rules apply.

Facilitated DiscussionRoundtable Rooms
14:45 – 15:05Break

Afternoon Break

Terrace Lounge
15:05 – 15:50Session

Data Mesh, Data Fabric, or Neither: Architecture Decisions That Define the Next Decade

A practitioner-led discussion on the architectural choices CDOs are making — and the trade-offs that rarely make it into vendor presentations. Grounded in real implementation experience.

Peer Exchange PanelMain Auditorium
15:50 – 16:35Session

Responsible AI: Governance Frameworks That Actually Work

Moving beyond principles to practice. CDOs share the governance structures, review processes, and escalation paths they have built to manage AI risk without stifling innovation.

Peer Exchange PanelMain Auditorium
16:35 – 17:00Closing

Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways

The summit chair synthesises the day's themes and surfaces the commitments and insights that emerged from the room. A moment to reflect before the evening begins.

Summit ChairMain Auditorium
17:00 – 19:00Reception

Drinks Reception

Informal evening reception for all delegates. The conversations that started in the room continue over drinks.

Terrace & Gardens

Attendance

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