Data+AI Day | Singapore
Unlocking the Power of Data: AI, Machine Learning, and Beyond for Competitive Advantage
Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Hosted by Factor
- 20 attendees
- 9 hours
Overview
As AI and data continue to disrupt industries, the role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) is rapidly expanding. Explore cutting-edge strategies for harnessing AI, machine learning, and data science to fuel innovation and create competitive advantages. Learn how to integrate AI into business operations responsibly, overcome challenges around data privacy and ethics, and foster a data-driven culture that spans across the enterprise.
What we will cover
- Generative AI Exploring how CDAOs are leveraging generative AI to enhance business operations and align data strategies with organisational goals, ensuring AI adds measurable value.
- Data Governance Examining the crucial role of data governance in building trust within organisations, ensuring data accuracy, and enabling data-driven decision-making.
- Data Efficiency Investigating how data and analytics can drive operational efficiencies, automating processes and improving productivity across the enterprise.
- Competitive Innovation Exploring how CDAOs are using advanced data techniques to innovate, helping their organisations gain a competitive edge in fast-moving markets.
- Data Quality Highlighting strategies for maintaining high data quality, ensuring that accurate, reliable data fuels business decisions and enhances AI capabilities.
- AI Integration Exploring the practical integration of AI and machine learning across business processes, with a focus on delivering real-time insights and improving decision-making.
- Data Privacy Navigating evolving data privacy regulations and ensuring compliance while maintaining robust data protection and ethical AI usage across the organisation.
- Data Monetisation Exploring innovative approaches to turning data into a revenue-generating asset, helping organisations leverage data as a product for business growth.
- Real-Time Analytics Examining technologies that enable real-time data processing and analytics, helping organisations respond faster to market changes and customer needs.
- Data as Product Shifting focus towards treating data as a product, with dedicated governance and management strategies, to enhance its value and usability across the enterprise.
- Data Strategy Ensuring data and analytics strategies are tightly aligned with overall business objectives, driving actionable insights that lead to measurable business outcomes.
- Data-Driven Culture Investigating how to foster a data-driven culture, overcoming resistance to change, and empowering teams to make decisions based on analytics.
Agenda
- Welcome Coffee & Registration(Data+AI Day | Singapore)
- Welcome Address & Introduction(Data+AI Day | Singapore)
- Security Beyond Borders: Geopolitics, Data, and the Future of Sovereignty(Data+AI Day | Singapore) Cybersecurity today is deeply intertwined with geopolitics. In this session, Bilahari Kausikan shares sharp insights on how global power shifts, state-sponsored cyber threats, and digital sovereignty are reshaping security priorities. From ASEAN’s role to international tensions, hear how governments and organisations must adapt in an era where cyber and geopolitical risks are inseparable. Discussion Points: Geopolitical Drivers – Understanding the factors behind cyber conflicts and their impact on ASEAN. Cyber Sovereignty – Balancing national interests with regional digital security priorities. Diplomacy and Response – Leveraging diplomatic strategies to manage incidents while safeguarding critical infrastructure.
- Thought Leadership: Effective Strategies for Demonstrating ROI(Data+AI Day | Singapore) Securing the budget for IT initiatives requires more than just presenting technical details; it demands a clear demonstration of the return on investment (ROI). By aligning IT strategies with business goals, IT leaders can effectively communicate value to decision-makers. Understanding the needs and expectations of key stakeholders, positioning IT as a strategic enabler, and ensuring that technology investments are closely tied to business outcomes are crucial in securing the necessary funding. Discussion Points: Understanding the expectations of decision-makers and tailoring your ROI presentation to address their key priorities and concerns. Highlighting IT as a strategic enabler that supports business goals by driving efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage. Demonstrating how IT investments align with the company’s overall business strategy, contributing to long-term success and measurable outcomes.
- C-Suite Synergy: Leading Through Complexity in an Era of Constant Change(Data+AI Day | Singapore) In an age defined by digital disruption, evolving regulations, and rising stakeholder expectations, organisational resilience is no longer the responsibility of a single function — it’s a collective executive mandate. This opening panel brings together C-suite leaders to explore how collaboration across finance, technology, data, and security functions is critical to navigating today’s megatrends. From managing enterprise risk to enabling digital trust and innovation, the discussion will unpack how executive alignment shapes future-ready strategies. Discussion Points: Shared Accountability: How C-suite leaders align on managing risk, trust, and operational resilience. Enterprise Agility: Responding to shifting technologies, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder demands. Integrated Leadership: Moving beyond silos to drive strategic clarity, innovation, and competitive advantage.
- Thought Leadership: The Next Frontiers: AI, Quantum, and the Future of Digital Trust(Data+AI Day | Singapore) As AI adoption accelerates and quantum computing inches closer to reality, security, privacy, and data integrity face unprecedented challenges. This session explores how CIOs, CISOs, and CDOs must collaborate to future-proof the enterprise — from rethinking encryption standards to governing machine learning pipelines and preparing for post-quantum disruption. Discussion Points: Preparing for post-quantum cybersecurity in ASEAN and beyond. Governing AI systems: data integrity, model bias, and trust. Shared leadership across IT, data, and security for long-term resilience.
- Thought Leadership: Harnessing Technology for Competitive Advantage in a Disrupted World(Data+AI Day | Singapore) This session explores how organisations can leverage emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, drive growth, and stay competitive in dynamic markets. By looking at real-world trends and practical applications, leaders will gain insight into how to align innovation with business goals and build momentum for the future.\ Discussion Points: Driving Business Impact: Applying new technologies to improve operations and measurable outcomes. Innovation Alignment: Linking technology adoption to strategic priorities and market opportunities. Preparing for Disruption: Building flexibility and resilience to respond to evolving market conditions.
- Networking Break & Morning Tea(Data+AI Day | Singapore)
- The Evolving Role of the CIO in the AI Era(AI, IT & Data Strategy) As AI reshapes industries and accelerates digital disruption, the role of the CIO is transforming. Beyond overseeing technology, today’s CIO must act as a strategist, innovator, and business enabler. This keynote will explore how adaptive leadership, strong governance, and a focus on value creation enable CIOs to lead their organisations with confidence in an AI-driven world. Discussion Points: Redefining the CIO Role: New expectations for IT leaders as AI and automation reshape the enterprise. Governance & Trust: Balancing data-driven innovation with responsible governance and risk management. Execution at Scale: Turning digital vision into operational results across global enterprises.
- Digital Banking Redefined : UOB's vision for Generative AI(AI, IT & Data Strategy)
- Reimagining Enterprise Leadership in ASEAN: Aligning AI, IT, and Data to Build Resilient, Future-Ready Organisations(AI, IT & Data Strategy) [Fireside Chat] This opening conversation explores how ASEAN enterprise leaders stay resilient, innovative, and competitive amid constant change. With AI, data, and IT central to business strategy, what does effective leadership look like, and how can people, technology, and outcomes be aligned for long-term success? Discussion Points: Regional Realities, Global Pressures – Navigating fragmented ASEAN markets, evolving regulations, and talent gaps while meeting global digital standards. Leading Through Ambiguity – How CIOs and CDOs drive transformation amid growth and infrastructure challenges. Beyond Silos – Integrating AI, data, and IT to build agile, innovative, and trusted enterprise strategies.
- Lunch Break - Peer Connect & Executive Roundtables(AI, IT & Data Strategy)
- Generative AI in Data Operations Practical applications of generative AI to optimise workflows and uncover new opportunities.
- Data Governance in Action Real-world approaches to ensuring trustworthy, accurate, and well-managed data.
- AI in Operational Decision-Making(Integrated Planning) How AI-driven insights can enhance real-time decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and drive innovation across departments.
- Centralising Analytics to Achieve Strategic Business Goals(Enterprise Insights) Discover how integrated solutions drive collaboration and planning for businesses.
- Edge Computing and IoT Integration(Serverless Scalability) Leveraging edge computing to enhance IoT capabilities, reduce latency, and improve real-time decision-making in critical operations.
- Prioritising Employee Experience in IT Strategies(Advanced Visualisation) Developing IT strategies that prioritise employee satisfaction, productivity, and collaboration through advanced tools and platforms.
- Thought Leadership: Consolidating the Tool Stack and Cutting Cost While Expanding Visibility(AI, IT & Data Strategy) CIOs need real-time visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud estates to ensure resilience, compliance, and customer trust. Observability provides the single source of truth to anticipate disruption and orchestrate faster recovery. Discussion points: How can CIOs streamline overlapping tools to cut costs without disrupting operations? What strategies enable end-to-end visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud environments? How does greater visibility improve recovery speed, compliance, and stakeholder trust?
- Testing at the Speed of AI: Ensuring Data Integrity and Trust in Automated Systems(AI, IT & Data Strategy) AI adoption is only as strong as the trust leaders have in the data, models, and systems running behind the scenes. Yet most enterprises are still testing AI and data-driven applications with outdated approaches built for legacy software lifecycles. This session explores how to modernise testing practices so that data quality, model accuracy, and system reliability keep pace with the scale and speed of AI initiatives. We’ll examine how to validate data pipelines, automate testing for machine learning workflows, and secure integrations across hybrid environments. The discussion will also cover how continuous testing not only reduces risk but also frees teams to accelerate transformation and scale AI adoption with confidence. How enterprises can modernise testing to keep pace with AI-driven applications and data-heavy workflows. Strategies to validate data pipelines, machine learning models, and complex integrations in hybrid environments. The role of continuous testing in reducing risk, accelerating transformation, and scaling AI adoption with confidence.
- Where Data Leadership Truly Belongs: Insights from the Business Perspective(AI, IT & Data Strategy) [Fireside Chat] As cyber threats become increasingly complex and impactful, organisations are reconsidering not just how they defend themselves, but who ultimately owns the risk. In this session, we will explore how executive leadership shapes cybersecurity strategy, reporting lines, and organisational resilience. Discussion Points: Leadership and Accountability: How does executive oversight influence cybersecurity effectiveness and risk management across the organisation? Driving a Business-wide Security Culture: How can leaders ensure cybersecurity is treated as a responsibility beyond IT? Aligning Strategy and Execution: Lessons on uniting teams and functions to ensure cybersecurity priorities are embedded across the enterprise.
- The Quantum-Energy Equation: What It Takes to Fuel the Future of AI in a Hyper-Intelligent World(AI, IT & Data Strategy) As AI and quantum computing transform our digital future, they drive growing demands on data and energy. This keynote examines how industries can harness these technologies while managing resource impact, exploring smarter infrastructure, alternative energy models, and embedding ethics into innovation to create a sustainable, high-powered future. Discussion Points: The Quantum-Energy Paradox – How rising AI and quantum demands affect global systems and the digital economy. AI + Quantum: Smarter Together – How their convergence can optimise energy use, streamline operations, and drive sustainable innovation. Ethics and Responsibility – Embedding ethical thinking and sustainability in emerging technologies to benefit people, planet, and progress.
- AI: The Double-Edged Sword of Data Security(AI, IT & Data Strategy) [Fireside Chat] Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising cyber defence, offering enhanced capabilities for threat detection, response, and risk mitigation. However, its dual nature also presents significant challenges. Cybercriminals exploit AI for sophisticated attacks, while organisations grapple with ethical dilemmas, data security, and potential biases in AI-driven systems. This session explores how businesses can harness AI's potential while safeguarding against its inherent risks. Discussion Points: Balancing Benefits and Risks – How can organisations leverage AI for smarter defence while managing vulnerabilities and avoiding overreliance? Ethical and Bias Challenges – What’s needed to prevent bias and protect privacy in AI-driven security across ASEAN’s diverse landscape? Future Preparedness – How can businesses prepare for evolving AI threats, foster collaboration, and build AI-ready cyber teams?
- Building a Data Governance Culture Across the Board(AI, IT & Data Strategy) As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and scale, building a strong cybersecurity culture is no longer optional, it’s a strategic imperative. For CIOs and CDOs, the challenge lies not just in deploying the right technologies but in embedding a security-first mindset across the entire organisation. From the executive level to frontline teams, a unified, informed, and accountable workforce is the most powerful defence. This session will explore how technology and data leaders can influence enterprise-wide behaviours, align security with business outcomes, and instil a culture where cyber resilience is everyone’s responsibility. Discussion Points: Leadership’s Role in Cybersecurity Culture: How CIOs, CDOs, and boards can model and drive secure behaviours across the organisation. Engaging the Workforce: Practical strategies to embed security into daily operations, communications, and data practices. Measuring Cultural Impact: Identifying indicators of progress, what does success look like beyond compliance?
- Closing Remarks(AI, IT & Data Strategy)
- End of Day Drinks(AI, IT & Data Strategy) Join us for "End of Day Drinks," a networking session designed to foster connections and camaraderie among attendees. This gathering provides the ideal setting to mingle, exchange insights, and build relationships with industry peers. Raise a glass to a day of fruitful discussions and continue the conversation over refreshing beverages and light snacks. Whether you're keen to expand your professional network or unwind after a day of learning, our End of Day Drinks event offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for meaningful interactions and networking.
Speakers
Bilahari Kausikan · Former Permanent Secretary : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Céline Le Cotonnec · Chief : Data Innovation Officer, Bank of Singapore, Asia's Global Private Bank
Josh Heid · CEO, Factor
Dinesh Ramchandani · Director : Data & Analytics, Unilever Dinesh Ramchandani is an accomplished data and analytics leader with over 13 years at Unilever, where he currently serves as Director of Data and Analytics. In this role, he drives Unilever’s Net Productivity Agenda by leading cross-functional strategies that convert complex data into scalable, high-impact solutions. He oversees a global team of 15 and collaborates with third-party partners to deliver on Complexity Reduction initiatives, product strategy, and digital transformation. Dinesh works closely with Product Management, Solution Factory, Data Science, and Technology teams to advance Unilever’s AI and digital vision. His prior leadership in Consumer and Marketing Insights for Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing division saw him shape global brand strategies, drive eCommerce excellence, and lead digital ecosystem analytics using agile and AI-driven approaches. Known for his strategic mindset, stakeholder engagement, and passion for innovation, Dinesh is committed to leveraging data for business growth while mentoring high-performing teams and enabling sustainable digital solutions.
Luis f. Gonzalez · Chief : Data Officer, Aboitiz Power Luis F. Gonzalez leads Data Science and AI R&D for the power industry, driving digital transformation at Aboitiz Data Innovation and AboitizPower. He spearheads AI deployment across Generation, Distribution, and Energy Trading, while incubating Industrial AI applications within the group’s AI Center of Excellence. With 25 years of experience, Luis has led AI and digital initiatives for over 50 clients across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. He co-founded the AI Asia Pacific Institute and teaches at Nanyang Technological University and through programs at Northwestern-Kellogg and Harvard (via Emeritus). He also sits on La Salle University's Computer Science board and advises several deep tech startups in Singapore. Previously, he was Managing Director at Element AI Asia, Chief AI Officer at Aaqua, and held senior roles at GE Digital and GE Power. Luis holds degrees in International Business and Computer Science, plus advanced credentials from MIT in AI, Data Science, IoT, and Smart Manufacturing. His current interests include AI's role in Small Modular Nuclear Technology and future algorithmic business models.
Henning Bork · Chief : Group Information Officer / Senior Vice President IT, ASMPT Dr. Henning Bork is the Group CIO of ASMPT, a global technology leader headquartered in Singapore and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with annual revenues of approximately USD 2 billion. Reporting directly to the Board, Dr. Bork is responsible for leading all facets of modern IT across the organisation—including infrastructure, cybersecurity, SAP, PLM, data governance, analytics, reporting, and application development. As a member of ASMPT’s Executive Committee (EXCO), Dr. Bork plays a key role in shaping the company’s digital transformation agenda, with a strong focus on leveraging next-generation technologies such as analytics and generative AI to enable a digital-first workplace and drive long-term business value.
Lim Shih hsien · Executive Vice President : IT, OT, & Cyber, Seatrium Lim Shih Hsien is a seasoned senior executive with a proven track record of leading national and enterprise-wide security programs that underpin critical public services and large-scale commercial operations in Singapore. His leadership has consistently delivered secure, resilient, and future-ready technology foundations across both public and private sectors. Currently serving as Executive Vice President of IT, OT & Cyber at Seatrium, Shih Hsien oversees the integration and governance of complex information and operational technology systems, ensuring cyber resilience in one of Asia’s leading integrated engineering groups. His career spans strategic planning, board-level engagement, and end-to-end program and operations management across a diverse range of sectors including government, aviation, healthcare, gaming, energy utilities, and integrated security services. Known for his ability to drive cross-sectoral transformation with clarity and purpose, Shih Hsien is a trusted voice in the region’s evolving cybersecurity and technology landscape.
Justin Ong · Chief : Information Security Officer APAC & CPO, Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Justin Ong is the APAC Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) at Panasonic Asia Pacific, where he oversees cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and data protection across the region. A 23-year Panasonic veteran, Justin has led initiatives to strengthen security posture, ensure regulatory compliance, and embed privacy-by-design into product and operational workflows. An alumnus of the National University of Singapore, he is passionate about building resilient, trust-driven technology environments that safeguard both business and customer interests.
Francis Tan · Chief : Financial Officer Asia Pacific, JBT Corporation Francis Tan is a seasoned finance leader with over 20 years of global and Asia Pacific experience, known for combining strategic insight with operational excellence. Since 1999, he has held senior roles across Farnell, Festo, and now JBT Corporation, driving financial transformation and business performance. A proven change agent, Francis has led major restructuring efforts in Indonesia and China, building sustainable growth and compliance frameworks. He has uplifted finance capabilities across the region and held dual leadership roles, including VP Finance APAC & CFO Greater China at Festo, and FC ASEAN & FP&A APAC at Premier Farnell. Francis brings deep expertise in M&A, strategic planning, and business intelligence, and was instrumental in securing International Headquarters (iHQ) status in Singapore for multiple firms. He is also a trained executive coach and credit management specialist, known for his ability to deliver value and drive results across complex, cross-border environments.
Natalie Que · Chief : Information Officer / Chief : Data and Digital Officer - Southeast Asia and North Asia, Kenvue
Damien Wong · Senior Vice President, APAC, Tricentis Damien Wong is Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan (APAC), responsible for all aspects of Tricentis’ go-to-market strategy and driving market expansion across the APAC regions. In his role, Damien is tasked to raise the awareness of Tricentis’ critically important role in accelerating speed to digitalization through improved software quality engineering. Damien drives this by engaging with C-suite executives in key customer accounts, as well as with strategic business partners, acting in the capacity of trusted advisor in their digital transformation journeys. Damien speaks regularly at industry events and fervently believes in developing the next generation of industry leaders, through coaching and mentoring of budding executives across the Asia Pacific region. With 30 years of experience in consulting, sales and general management, Damien brings to Tricentis his tenacious leadership, and passion in building high-performance teams in enterprise technology companies. Damien holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia, as well as a Master of Computing Science and a B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College. He previously served as Vice President of APAC at Confluent, Vice President and General Manager for Southeast Asia, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Red Hat, and has also held business and technology leadership positions at companies such as Hewlett Packard, META Group and Accenture. Damien was also named Executive of the Year for the SBR Business Management Excellence Awards in 2018.
Alvin Eng · Head of Enterprise AI, Innovation Group, UOB Alvin Eng is a technology-driven project manager currently delivering software initiatives for UOB through Optimum Solutions in Singapore. With a background spanning project management, web development, and client delivery, he has led agile teams to deliver large-scale digital transformation projects — including the modernization of wealth-management platforms for leading financial institutions. Prior to his current role, Alvin spent nearly four years at InvestCloud driving web application development and collaborating closely with solution architects and business analysts. He combines technical expertise with strong stakeholder management skills to translate complex requirements into intuitive, user-centric solutions.
Partners
- Cloudera At Cloudera, we believe data can make what is impossible today, possible tomorrow. We deliver an enterprise data cloud for any data, anywhere, from the Edge to AI. We enable people to transform vast amounts of complex data into clear and actionable insights to enhance their businesses and exceed their expectations. Cloudera is leading hospitals to better cancer cures, securing financial institutions against fraud and cyber-crime, and helping humans arrive on Mars — and beyond. Powered by the relentless innovation of the open-source community, Cloudera advances digital transformation for the world’s largest enterprises.
- Tricentis · Gold
- Dataiku · Bronze Partner Dataiku is the Universal AI Platform, uniting the technology, teams, and operations needed for companies to build intelligence into their daily operations, from modern analytics to Generative AI. Together, they design, develop and deploy new AI capabilities, at all scales and in all industries. Organizations that use Dataiku enable their people to be extraordinary, creating the AI that will power their company into the future. More than 700 companies worldwide use Dataiku, including leaders across industries including life sciences, logistics, retail, manufacturing, energy, financial services, software, and technology. With a strong focus on the Forbes Global 2000, Dataiku also supports non-profits and academic institutions through its AI-for-Good initiatives.
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