# Why AI Will Not Fix Broken Data Teams

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-tech-trek-1219400/why-ai-will-not-fix-broken-data-teams
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-tech-trek-1219400/why-ai-will-not-fix-broken-data-teams.md
Podcast: [The Tech Trek](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-tech-trek-1219400)
Published: 2026-05-01T21:21:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thetechtrek/episodes/Why-AI-Will-Not-Fix-Broken-Data-Teams-e3ior3r
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/1473c954/podcast/play/119351867/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-4-1%2F423288739-44100-2-8a3efaa71c0e9.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-tech-trek-1219400/episodes/why-ai-will-not-fix-broken-data-teams
Duration seconds: 1371

## Resource

Most data teams do not have an AI problem yet. They have an operating model problem. Mike Doll, VP of Data at Guitar Center, joins The Tech Trek to talk about why analytics teams often become reactive ticket factories, and what it takes to turn data into a true business partnership. As companies push harder into AI, automation, and faster decision making, the foundation matters more than ever. If the data team is buried in scattered requests, unclear priorities, and dashboard maintenance, AI will not magically fix the problem. It may only expose it faster. Mike shares how modern data teams can rethink intake, structure analytics partnerships, separate quick BI needs from deeper analytical work, and create a more consultative model that helps the business answer harder questions. Key Takeaways • AI will not fix a broken data operating model. Teams still need clear intake, trusted data, business context, and a better way to prioritize work. • Data teams become ticket factories when every request is treated the same and stakeholders do not understand what happens after they ask for help. • BI and analytics serve different needs. Quick reporting should be fast and reliable, while deeper analytics requires judgment, framing, and business partnership. • Self service only works when the data foundation is strong. Without that foundation, it can create more confusion instead of more speed. • The future of analytics is not just faster answers. It is better questions, stronger context, and data teams that understand how the business actually operates. Timestamped Highlights 00:41 Mike explains his role leading Guitar Center’s central data organization, including data engineering, analytics, BI, data science, and data strategy. 02:09 How data teams become ticket factories, and wh…

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