25 customer meetings in 3 days: 5 recurring themes about data and AI in 2026

After analyzing 25 customer meetings across various industries, Glenda O’Keefe identifies five recurring themes regarding the challenges of scaling AI and data products. While technology standards for modern stacks have stabilized, progress is currently hindered by slow delivery cycles, governance being treated as a tool problem rather than a behavioral one, and a lack of both data and people readiness. Ultimately, the article argues that achieving advanced AI capabilities depends on mastering operational layers like data quality and lineage rather than just selecting new platforms.