The CDAO Circle Program

The CDAO Circle is an exclusive experience designed for both new-to-role and experienced CDAOs and Heads of AI to elevate their performance and brand. The program provides targeted content, focused workshops and valuable networking lunches.  Join your CDAO Peers to explore how you and your teams can use data, analytics and AI to drive better business value and improve culture, communication and change.

This experience includes:

Networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities with a group of CDAO and Heads of AI to swap experiences, trade best practices and expand your executive peer community. 

Access to exclusive sessions throughout the conference, including CDAO lunches featuring keynote presentations, workshops, roundtables and research discussions tailored to the most important topics for CDAOs and Heads of AI. 

Priority booking capabilities for limited-capacity sessions and One-on-One Meeting(s) with a Gartner analyst to ensure you don’t miss out on these conference offerings.

CDAO-only sessions

Integrated within the broader conference agenda, the CDAO Circle Program includes interactive discussions covering the top priorities of CDAOs and Heads of AI, as well as casual networking opportunities to connect with other data and analytics leaders from a variety of regions and industries. Through these sessions, participants connect over common initiatives and accelerate, validate and solidify their strategies. 

We are currently building out the 2027 sessions based on the below priorites. 
  • Lead D&A for an AI-Native Future
  • Generate Foundational Value with D&A
  • Rethink Analytics and AI Through Agentic Transformation
  • Evole the AI Ready Data and Analytics Architecture
  • Redefine D&A and AI Governance

Lead D&A for an AI-Native Future

87% of D&A leaders cite managing stakeholder expectations as their greatest stress factor.

  • Become a High-Performing D&A Leader 
  • Align D&A Strategy with Organizational Priorities 
  • Identify Emerging Trends Impacting Strategy & Operations 
  • Demonstrate the Value of D&A 
  • Get Buy-In from Stakeholders 
  • Develop a D&A Operating and Organization Model 
  • Improve D&A Literacy and Drive Change

Generate Foundational Value with D&A

High-performing D&A functions can boost financial performance by as much as 30%.

  • Develop Use Cases for D&A and AI 
  • Create a D&A Value Story 
  • Communicate with the Board 
  • Realize Value from D&A 
  • Govern the Value of GenAI and Agentic AI Investments 
  • Measure Results of D&A Investments

 

Rethink Analytics and AI Through Agentic Trasnformation

53% of D&A leaders expect AI agents to have a significant impact on productivity but believe it may not be transformative.
  • Assess the Impact of GenAI and Agentic AI on D&A Use Cases 
  • Determine New Capabilities to Support D&A and AI Deployment 
  • Assess Impact on Practices, Processes, Organization & Skills 
  • Prioritize Agentic AI Investments in D&A 
  • Evolve Platforms and Technology Solutions for Agentic AI 
  • Drive Adoption, Governance and Track Progress of Agentic AI 
  • Manage Costs & Value of GenAI and Agentic AI Investments

Evolve the AI Ready Data and Analytics Architecture

The top quartile of AI-ready organizations report 26% higher performance on business outcomes. 
  • Define AI Readiness for Data, Governance and People 
  • Specify Requirements Based on AI Ambition and Prioritize Uses 
  • Assess AI-Readiness Gaps and Strategies to Close Them 
  • Build the Business Case for Foundational Investments 
  • Evolve Data Management Practices to Scale AI-Ready Data 
  • Evaluate Tech, Platforms & Architectures for AI Readiness 
  • Plan and Implement Changes to D&A Practices and Operations

Redefine D&A and AI Governance

Only 15% of organizations currently operate under comprehensive governance for AI. 
  • Evolve Best Practices for D&A and AI Governance Programs 
  • Communicate Governance Risks with the Board and Stakeholders 
  • Build a Foundational Value Case for Governance Investments 
  • Establish a Data, Analytics and AI Governance Board 
  • Build a D&A-Aligned AI Governance Framework 
  • Assess, Select and Implement Technology, Practices and Tools 
  • Measure Governance Progress and Business Value

“The CDAO Circle was an excellent program that provided an environment for thoughtful and valuable conversations and networking. I will be back!”

Ryan Boyle

Vice President Data Analytics and Insights, American Arbitration Association

Apply to join the program

The CDAO Circle Program is exclusive to eligible CDAOs and Heads of AI attending Gartner Data & Analytics Summit. We recommend applying when you register for the conference as session seats are limited and fill up quickly.
How to qualify

Applicants must meet the following qualification criteria to participate:

  1. Enterprise-wide Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO), or
  2. Business unit/ region/ government division Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO) responsible for:
    1. Private sector: $250+ million in revenue
    2. Public sector: 1,000+ employees

CDAOs and Heads of AI with client facing/ external responsibilities from a data and analytics vendor or consultancy are not eligible to participate.

You can apply to participate in the CDAO Circle Program when you register for Gartner Data & Analytics Summit. During the registration process, the program application will be prompted by answering ‘yes’ to the question, “Are you the Chief Data & Analytics Officer or do you serve in the Chief Data & Analytics Officer role for your organization?”. You will be notified via email regarding the status of your application.

Application and approval are required for participation.

Log back into your Gartner conference profile, click “Edit” next to “Registration Profile,” and scroll down to answer the “Attendee Profile” questions.