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This week’s issue

Wednesday, Oct 21, 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 1 item
AnalysisAgentic AI, MCP & the context layerAmazon
AWS Big Data Blog · Read source ↗

Amazon OpenSearch Service and Amazon Bedrock offer a method to trace security threats in multi-agent AI pipelines, focusing on prompt injection propagation and cross-tenant data exfiltration. The approach involves using embeddings, provenance, and PII detection to monitor each agent hop, reconstruct attack paths, and implement preventative guardrails.

MyDataWork POV — For those managing complex AI pipelines, Amazon's approach to tracing security threats offers a practical toolkit. By embedding provenance and PII detection into each agent hop, it tackles the often-overlooked vulnerabilities of prompt injection and data exfiltration. However, if your AI setup is simpler or more contained, this might be over-engineering. The real value here is for teams dealing with multi-agent environments where the risk of cross-tenant issues is a daily concern.
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 agent memory on its Agent Bricks platform, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of agent developers. This feature is designed to store and recall information, potentially improving the performance and utility of agents built on the platform.

MyDataWork POV — Agent memory on Databricks sounds like a step forward, but it raises significant concerns about data integrity and security. The ability for agents to store and recall information could lead to unintended data retention, posing risks to privacy and compliance. Without clear guidelines and strong governance, this feature could turn into a liability instead of an asset. Developers must tread carefully to ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
Agent Studio users could leverage its scoping capabilities to clearly define and manage the use cases for agent memory, ensuring that potential risks are identified and mitigated before development proceeds. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
ResearchData engineering & the warehouse/lakehouse
Forrester · Read source ↗

Forrester highlights the critical role of Context Engineering and ContextOps in effectively scaling agentic AI, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to manage and utilize context in AI systems.

MyDataWork POV — Context Engineering and ContextOps are essential foundations for enabling agentic AI to function effectively at scale. Without a structured approach to managing context, AI agents risk becoming isolated gimmicks rather than integrated solutions. The real breakthrough here isn't in the AI's capabilities but in how we prepare the groundwork. By focusing on context, we ensure that AI systems are not only intelligent but also relevant and actionable.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
Agent Studio provides a structured environment to scope agentic use cases, ensuring that context is considered from the start. By framing use cases and designing flows with context in mind, MyDataWork users can align their AI initiatives with practical business needs. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
CommunityData engineering & the warehouse/lakehouseDatabricks
r/dataengineering · Read source ↗

A new data engineering lab has been developed for self-learners, featuring a fully integrated stack with services inspired by Databricks and Fabric. It allows users to work independently in their own data lakehouse and invites team collaboration.

MyDataWork POV — This data engineering lab is a practical boon for self-learners and small teams alike. By offering a fully integrated stack that mirrors industry heavyweights like Databricks, it provides a sandbox for experimentation without the overhead of enterprise-scale commitments. The ability to invite team members into this environment fosters collaboration and real-world problem-solving, which is essential for understanding how data tools interconnect. It's a grassroots approach that recognizes the patchwork nature of real-world data work.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
MyDataWork users can benefit from the lab's focus on collaboration within a data lakehouse, as it aligns with the platform's ability to catalog and cover work products across various tools without needing specific connectors. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
BI & analytics tools 2 items
CommunityBI & analytics toolsPower BI
r/dataengineering · Read source ↗

A team currently using Excel and Google Sheets for data management seeks a low-cost solution to centralize data for Power BI dashboards, enabling team collaboration without directly accessing the original files.

MyDataWork POV — Centralizing data for Power BI dashboards using Excel and Google Sheets as primary sources is a pragmatic move that reflects a common transitional phase in data management. The real opportunity here is to leverage these familiar tools while adopting a more collaborative and scalable approach. By transitioning to a centralized data repository, teams can maintain the flexibility of spreadsheets while gaining the benefits of enhanced data visibility and collaboration, essential for any organization aiming to improve its data-driven decision-making.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
MyDataWork users can leverage direct BI tool connections to catalog dashboards and datasets, ensuring visibility into source-table lineage and preventing disruptions if data changes. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisBI & analytics toolsSAP
SAP News (Data & Analytics) · Read source ↗

The article discusses how enterprises derive CRM value by integrating it with ERP systems, highlighting the importance of pipeline intelligence in conjunction with ERP functionalities. It argues against evaluating CRM tools in isolation, emphasizing their interconnected roles in business operations.

MyDataWork POV — The value of CRM systems isn't in their standalone capabilities but in how they mesh with ERP frameworks. For large enterprises, this integration is indispensable, allowing for a seamless flow of information that supports complex decision-making. However, smaller businesses might find the full suite excessive, gaining little from the added complexity of ERP unless their operations justify it. The suite advantage is only an advantage if your operational scale demands it. Otherwise, it's an exercise in overengineering.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AI platforms — data science & ML 3 items
ResearchAI platforms — data science & ML
Forrester Blogs · Read source ↗

Forrester’s 2027 AI predictions highlight impending disruptions in enterprise AI, focusing on the impacts on spending, governance, and AI platforms. The report suggests a significant shift in how organizations will leverage AI technologies over the next few years.

MyDataWork POV — Forrester’s predictions lean heavily on the notion of 'disruption', a term often thrown around but rarely dissected. What exactly unleashes in 2027? Sure, the forecast of changes in spending and governance sounds bold, but until we see concrete metrics or case studies showing how these shifts manifest, skepticism is warranted. The AI hype machine is ever-present, and without specific, demonstrable outcomes, these predictions risk being more speculative fiction than predictive insight.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisAI platforms — data science & ML
ThoughtSpot Blog · Read source ↗

Recent episodes of The Data and AI Chief podcast, hosted by ThoughtSpot's Cindi Howson, highlight insights from Grant Thornton, Ligentia, and Swire Coca-Cola. The focus is on trust as the key factor in AI adoption, rather than the technical specifications of AI models themselves.

MyDataWork POV — Trust as the deciding factor in AI adoption feels like a convenient narrative shift. Sure, trust is important, yet it cannot replace the hard metrics that truly drive decisions in the trenches. Grant Thornton and others may tout trust, but without concrete proof of how it tangibly shifts outcomes, this feels more like a strategic deflection than a substantive insight. Ultimately, the model's performance is what truly matters, rather than the trust it is believed to create.
See how MyDataWork relates to this item
MyDataWork's AI-powered features could help users identify which business processes are ripe for intelligent automation, potentially building trust by demonstrating clear, actionable improvements. This aligns with the emphasis on practical, trust-building applications. Explore MyDataWork ↗
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisAI platforms — data science & ML
SAS Blogs · Read source ↗

The article discusses recent advancements in retrieval approaches like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Knowledge Graphs, and PageIndex. These methods aim to improve the reliability of AI-generated outputs by enhancing data retrieval processes.

MyDataWork POV — Modern retrieval approaches like RAG and Knowledge Graphs promise to refine AI outputs by improving how data is sourced. Yet, the claim of producing 'trustworthy output' remains unproven. RAG depends heavily on the quality of its data sources, often making it susceptible to outdated or biased information. Knowledge Graphs require meticulous curation, and PageIndex seems more buzzword than breakthrough without clear case studies. Until these methods demonstrate consistent, verifiable reliability across diverse datasets, their touted trustworthiness is speculative at best.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
Governance, catalog & semantic layer 2 items
AnalysisGovernance, catalog & semantic layer
Forrester Blogs · Read source ↗

In 2027, Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) will confront a new phase of AI adoption that emphasizes the need for tangible value to justify AI's rising costs and associated risks. This shift will require CMOs to make more strategic choices, implement stronger governance, and demand greater accountability from AI initiatives.

MyDataWork POV — The upcoming AI reality check for CMOs in 2027 might seem daunting, but it's a necessary evolution. AI's blank check era is ending, forcing a pivot from flashy promises to practical accountability. This is a boon for CMOs who can now leverage AI as a series of precise tools rather than a monolithic solution. The emphasis on governance and accountability will enrich marketing strategies, driving thoughtful integration over hasty adoption. By demanding sharper choices, CMOs can finally piece together AI's potential into a cohesive, effective strategy.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
AnalysisGovernance, catalog & semantic layer
SAS Blogs · Read source ↗

Organizations with successful AI initiatives invest significantly more in foundational areas like data quality, governance, and change management, according to Gartner. These investments are linked to better AI outcomes.

Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
The analyst persona 1 item
CommunityThe analyst persona
r/dataengineering · Read source ↗

A Senior Data Engineer with five years of experience is considering pursuing a Master's in Computer Science. They currently work with SQL, Python, cloud technologies, and tools like dbt and Snowflake but feel limited in their role and seek opportunities in real-time and big data technologies like Kafka, Kubernetes, and Spark.

MyDataWork POV — The appeal of a Master's in Computer Science as a career pivot is clear, but it risks turning into an expensive diversion. With skills in SQL, Python, and cloud platforms, the real gap lies in practical exposure to real-time data tools like Kafka and Spark. The industry values hands-on experience over credentials. Instead of academia, consider targeted projects or certifications that directly engage these technologies. This approach is more aligned with industry needs and less likely to sidetrack you into theory over practice.
Discussion happens on Reddit — no comments are hosted here.
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