Modern data platforms have transformed how we store and access data, but not how we understand it. Teams still struggle with inconsistent metrics, duplicated logic, and low trust. The problem isn’t access, it’s about semantics. This talk explores why the semantic layer disappeared from the modern stack, how that broke autonomy, and why it’s time to bring it back, done properly. We’ll outline a new approach: open, reusable, and embedded at the core of the data platform. Because true data autonomy doesn’t come from access alone, it comes from shared meaning.

Takeaways