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This week’s issue

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026 · 12 items · new issue every Wednesday, 8am ET
The Feed is our editor’s pick across the whole data-work space this week. For news focused on your tools — including items that don’t make this general Feed — set up Personalize →
Agentic AI, MCP & the context layer 2 items
AnalysisAgentic AI, MCP & the context layer
Forrester Blogs · Read source ↗

At Dreamforce 2026, Boris Cherny from Anthropic revealed that he conducts 90% of his coding within Slack. This raises questions about the evolving role of chat tools in coding and collaboration.

MyDataWork POV — The notion that 90% of coding can occur in Slack is both fascinating and unsettling. While it highlights the flexibility of modern collaboration tools, it also reveals a potential risk: the blurring of boundaries between communication and development platforms. This shift could inadvertently standardize practices that may not be optimal for rigorous coding tasks. Relying heavily on a chat tool for coding might compromise the depth and quality of software development processes, leading to fragmented workflows and potential security vulnerabilities.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
Agent Studio users can leverage its structured approach to ensure that agentic use cases scoped in Slack or similar environments are well-defined and secure before implementation, mitigating risks associated with ad-hoc development practices. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
Case studyAgentic AI, MCP & the context layer
ThoughtSpot Blog · Read source ↗

John Paul is leveraging agentic analytics to enhance personalization across various applications. Modern tools have reduced implementation time, allowing for rapid deployment without extensive consulting support. The aim is consistent: to tailor experiences, whether in loyalty programs or managing a global network of concierges.

MyDataWork POV — For large enterprises like John Paul, this approach makes sense—scaling personalization with agentic analytics without needing a small army of consultants is a win. But smaller operations might not see the same return on investment. The infrastructure to support such diverse applications isn't trivial, and the benefits might not justify the cost unless you're managing something as complex as a global concierge network. It's a solution tailored for those with the scale to leverage its full potential.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
Data engineering & the warehouse/lakehouse 3 items
Product launchData engineering & the warehouse/lakehouseDatabricks
Databricks Blog · Read source ↗

Databricks has launched a Private Network Gateway for its serverless compute offering. This new feature is fully managed, intelligent, and versionless, aiming to enhance security and simplify network management for users.

MyDataWork POV — Databricks' Private Network Gateway is a smart move for data teams looking to streamline secure access without the usual network headaches. By offering a versionless, fully managed solution, Databricks is addressing a common pain point: the complexity of maintaining network configurations. This focuses on enabling data professionals to prioritize insights over infrastructure. In a world where data work often lacks a stable operational framework, this kind of simplification is a welcome relief.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisData engineering & the warehouse/lakehouseDatabricks
Databricks Blog · Read source ↗

The guide outlines advancements in real-time analytics projected for 2026, emphasizing the integration of live data into business decision-making processes. It discusses the evolution and potential challenges of deploying real-time systems in varied organizational contexts.

MyDataWork POV — The 2026 guide to real-time analytics offers a much-needed roadmap for organizations already drowning in data influx. It's a wake-up call for companies still operating on outdated batch processing systems. Yet, the guide perhaps underestimates the cultural shift required within teams to embrace real-time thinking. Not every business is ready for the immediacy this entails, and many may find themselves unprepared for the velocity of decision-making it demands. Leaders should gauge if their teams are truly ready for this leap.
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MyDataWork's ability to catalog data within the warehouse without waiting for specific connectors ensures compatibility with real-time analytics solutions as they evolve, providing seamless integration with current and future tools. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisData engineering & the warehouse/lakehouseGoogle Cloud
Google Cloud — Data & AI · Read source ↗

Organizations often find their data dispersed across multiple clouds and operational systems. To support analytical and AI initiatives, they face the challenge of integrating data from these diverse sources, traditionally requiring complex extraction processes to centralize information into a single repository.

MyDataWork POV — The idea of 'cross-cloud conversational analytics' is enticing, yet the dependence on 'open standards' as a cure-all raises concerns. It's a seductive narrative, yet one that glosses over the gritty, unresolved tension between diverse cloud environments and true interoperability. While open standards promise simplicity, they rarely account for the nuanced intricacies of data provenance and governance across disparate systems. Until these foundational issues are addressed, the promise remains tenuous.
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MyDataWork users can leverage direct connections to cloud platforms without installation, simplifying access to dispersed data across warehouses like Snowflake and analytics tools like Tableau, potentially easing some cross-cloud integration challenges. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
BI & analytics tools 2 items
Product launchBI & analytics toolsGoogle CloudLooker
Google Cloud — Data & AI · Read source ↗

Looker introduces Trusted Data Apps for the Agentic Data Cloud, aiming to enhance the business intelligence experience. The focus is on moving beyond static dashboards and CSV exports to create more dynamic and interactive data presentations.

MyDataWork POV — Looker's push for Trusted Data Apps in the Agentic Data Cloud is a breath of fresh air for BI users tired of static dashboards. By enabling more interactive and tailored data experiences, Looker addresses a persistent pain point: the disconnect between data presentation and actionable insights. This approach acknowledges that enterprise AI thrives on interconnected systems and highlights the need for data tools to evolve beyond mere data access to offer richer, more engaging user experiences.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
MyDataWork users can leverage direct connectors to tools like Looker to gain visibility into the source-table lineage of dashboards and datasets. This helps ensure that changes in data sources are tracked and managed effectively, preventing disruptions in data-driven decision-making. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
Vendor newsBI & analytics toolsSAP
SAP News (Data & Analytics) · Read source ↗

SAP has introduced new features to enhance finance operations, including embedded payments, improved consolidation capabilities, and expanded AI functionalities. These advancements aim to help finance teams transition smoothly from insights to execution while ensuring governance and control.

MyDataWork POV — SAP's promise of seamless transitions from insight to execution sounds appealing, but the real-world application remains unproven. Embedding payments and expanding AI capabilities are ambitious steps, yet the actual impact on governance and control is unclear. Finance operations are notoriously complex, and without concrete examples of successful implementation, these claims risk being more aspirational than grounded in reality. The gap between announcement and execution can often be wide, and SAP needs to demonstrate how these features tangibly benefit finance teams.
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MyDataWork users could leverage the 'Identify automation candidates' mode in the Leverage tab to evaluate SAP's new features, assessing which processes might benefit from automation and how these enhancements align with their existing workflows. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AI platforms — data science & ML 2 items
AnalysisAI platforms — data science & ML
SAS Blogs · Read source ↗

AI explainability is becoming crucial for businesses as they invest more in AI technologies. The ability to understand and trust the reasoning behind AI's automation, predictions, and generation is increasingly linked to realizing business value.

MyDataWork POV — AI explainability is a business imperative as much as it is a technical necessity. The real value of AI hinges on trust, and trust is built on understanding. If teams can't grasp why an AI system makes certain decisions, they're less likely to rely on it. This focuses on transparency and ensuring that AI's outputs are actionable and aligned with business goals. Without explainability, AI risks becoming an expensive black box with limited utility.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
MyDataWork's AI-powered Use Case Recommendations can help users understand and trust AI by surfacing ideas and improvements tailored to specific work contexts, fostering a more transparent and actionable AI experience. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisAI platforms — data science & MLSAP
SAP News (Data & Analytics) · Read source ↗

The article discusses how solving complex industry-specific problems with AI requires a deep understanding of the context, forward-deployed engineering expertise, and a focus on delivering measurable value.

MyDataWork POV — The belief that AI can address intricate industry challenges simply by implementing forward-engineered solutions is fraught with pitfalls. The real risk lies in oversimplifying the contextual nuances that differentiate one industry challenge from another. Without a nuanced understanding, AI risks becoming a blunt tool rather than a precision instrument, potentially leading to misguided strategies and wasted resources. The promise of measurable value remains elusive without this critical layer of contextual expertise.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
Governance, catalog & semantic layer 3 items
ResearchGovernance, catalog & semantic layer
Informat.ro · Read source ↗

Forrester predicts that by 2027, companies lacking strong controls will face litigation, global outages, and data breaches due to AI implementation. The report highlights the importance of robust governance structures to mitigate these risks.

MyDataWork POV — Let's not jump to conclusions based on predictions that lean heavily into dystopian outcomes. Forrester's warnings about AI-induced litigation and outages by 2027 could scare companies into paralysis rather than action. While it's true that lacking strong controls invites risk, the assumption that AI is the primary culprit feels premature. The narrative here lacks nuance—many current breaches have little to do with AI. Before sounding alarms, let's scrutinize the specifics of what 'strong controls' really entail.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
ResearchGovernance, catalog & semantic layer
Forrester Blogs · Read source ↗

Forrester has released the GRC Buyers Guide, drawing on customer feedback to evaluate satisfaction with Governance, Risk, and Compliance platforms. The report is part of the Forrester Wave for Q2 2026, highlighting key market realities that vendors must address.

Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisGovernance, catalog & semantic layer
IDC | Trusted Tech Intelligence · Read source ↗

IDC's report highlights the critical need for precision in AI decision-making, especially when high-stakes outcomes are involved. The emphasis is on moving beyond 'probably right' to ensure that AI systems deliver reliable and accurate results in crucial scenarios.

MyDataWork POV — IDC's focus on precision in AI decision-making is a breath of fresh air. In the enterprise world, where decisions can ripple through entire organizations, 'probably right' just doesn't cut it. This report highlights the need for AI systems that are both accurate and dependable when it matters most. It's a timely reminder that assembling AI solutions requires meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each component contributes to a reliable whole. Precision is a business imperative as much as it is a technical goal.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
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