12:45 - 13:15 Data Architecture, Platforms & Infrastructure Theatre
Borderless by Design: Rethinking Data Platforms in the Age of AI
Tuesday 13th October 2026
About
For years, organisations have pursued a common vision for data platforms: centralise everything, move all data into one place, and build intelligence on top. However, the rise of AI, cloud services and interconnected systems is challenging that assumption.
Drawing on the Information Commissioner’s Office’s real-world data platform journey, this session explores how Microsoft Fabric helped reshape our thinking. Rather than moving all data to a single platform, we discovered that intelligence can be brought to the data, enabling AI, analytics and automation to operate across a connected ecosystem.
Attendees will learn what worked, what didn’t, and the architectural decisions we deliberately chose not to make. The session provides practical insights into building a modern, borderless data platform where Fabric acts as an intelligent foundation rather than the destination for every workload.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand why traditional centralised data platform strategies are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain at scale.
- Learn how Microsoft Fabric can enable a connected data ecosystem rather than acting as another data silo.
- Discover practical patterns for deploying AI and analytics closer to the source data.
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Gain insight into governance, architecture and operational considerations for building a borderless data platform.
See speaker profile
