The #1 Factor for Data & AI Success in 2026

We asked seven Analytics8 practice leads — across data strategy, engineering, platforms, AI, and delivery — what will matter most for data and analytics success in 2026: tech modernization, organizational adoption, or executive buy-in? All seven answered the same: organizational adoption. In this video, hear from: Simon Collis - Data Engineering Practice Lead Marty Lyman - Analytics Development Practice Lead Christina Salmi - Data Strategy & Governance Practice Lead Hart Shuford - Data Team as a Service Practice Lead Ed Pearson - Platform Modernization Practice Lead John Bemenderfer - MCP & AI Practice Lead Travis LaMont - Project Management Practice Lead Their insights: You can build the most sophisticated tech stack, secure executive sponsorship, and modernize your platforms — but without organizational adoption, none of it sticks. Success in 2026 depends on embedding data and analytics into how teams actually operate and make decisions. Want to go deeper? Read the full 2026 data priorities from all seven practice leads: [https://www.analytics8.com/blog/ai-and-data-strategy-in-2026-what-leaders-need-to-get-right/] Research on AI readiness: Download our report on what separates AI-ready companies from those stuck in pilot mode: [https://www.analytics8.com/blog/solving-the-data-readiness-conundrum-best-practices-for-excelling-with-ai-and-advanced-analytics/] #DataStrategy #Analytics #DataLeadership #OrganizationalAdoption #DataGovernance #Analytics8 #DataEngineering #AI #BusinessIntelligence