In the rapidly evolving world of technology, data and artificial intelligence, leaders at the forefront of this transformation are not just shaping their organizations, but also setting benchmarks for entire industries.

Among these trailblazers is Caitlin Halferty (pictured), global chief data officer of Ericsson, a provider of 5G network equipment in the U.S. Her journey in the realm of data and AI, spanning nearly a decade, reflects a deep commitment to leveraging these tools for enterprise transformation and achieving remarkable business outcomes.

“Within Ericsson, it’s an incredibly intelligent, highly functioning engineering culture,” Halferty said. “There’s this drive to innovate and improve seamless employee experience, as well as the best platform and network connectivity for our customers. There’s this growing recognition that there is data dependency for our AI efforts to scale, so the accessibility, the quality, the access, those are the things we have to really tackle and go after in order for us to deliver on this promise.”

Halferty spoke with theCUBE Research analysts Dave Vellante (pictured, left), John Furrier (second from left) and Savannah Peterson (right) at MWC Barcelona, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed the critical role that data management and AI play in transforming enterprises, as well as Ericsson’s commitment to prioritizing data and AI.  (* Disclosure below.)

Embracing global challenges with data and AI

Ericsson has embarked on an ambitious path, leveraging data to unlock new potentials and overcome complex challenges on a global scale. The designation of “global” in Halferty’s title includes both the scope of her responsibilities and the strategic vision she embodies — a vision that prioritizes foundational data capabilities as the cornerstone for innovation and growth. She reflected on her previous experience at IBM, drawing parallels that highlight the transformative power of investing in data.

“Those who were investing in data and building out that foundational data capability were seeing incredible business benefit,” she explained, underscoring the tangible impacts of such investments, from driving significant business benefits to achieving milestones in process efficiency and compliance initiatives, such as GDPR readiness.

The journey at Ericsson is built on a similar ethos of foundational strength, Halferty added. The organization has embraced a federated data model, enhancing data governance across various domains and thereby facilitating AI-driven initiatives that promise to redefine industry standards.

“There’s been some initial work done … to build a federated data model, and we have data governance occurring at the domain level,” Halferty said. “[We’re] identifying the AI use cases that we can really go after and show impact. That’s how we’re tackling it at a high level.”

This approach is not just about technology; it’s a strategic alignment that places data at the heart of digital transformation, enabling Ericsson to navigate the complexities of a global market with agility and foresight.

AI at the forefront of innovation

The enthusiasm around AI and its global attention is something Halferty views as a pivotal moment, especially for an organization such as Ericsson, which is at the “forefront of this industry.” The integration of foundation models with AI is not just a trend, but a significant leap toward harnessing data for actionable insights and groundbreaking innovations.

“[Ericsson] has really invested and committed to making data a priority, as evidenced by my new role and the elevated mandate,” Halferty said.

Her strategy involves a holistic view, focusing on scaling and accelerating AI initiatives across various operational domains, from risk insight to supply chain management. Her perspective on AI is not just about adopting new technologies, but also about embracing a shift in mindset — from process optimization to impact-driven strategies. This shift is evident in the projects she spearheads, aiming to improve data quality and accessibility to empower business decisions and drive efficiency.

“We really implemented a shift in thinking to start with the business problem,” Halferty said, highlighting the importance of aligning data and AI initiatives with strategic business objectives to create value and enhance customer experiences.

Halferty’s role and the structured approach at Ericsson signify a broader trend where data governance and the strategic deployment of AI are central to driving business innovation. Her leadership not only navigates Ericsson through the complexities of the digital age, but also sets a benchmark for how global corporations can leverage data and AI to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of MWC Barcelona:

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the MWC Barcelona event. No sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE