Welcome to dbSeer’s quarterly newsletter! Let this be your one-stop-shop for all things #data and #AI. Our team is tracking trends, what to read, what to listen to and how we see the future of data and AI.
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Trends We’re Keeping an Eye On..
In AI and Data….
A recent report caught our eye at dbSeer entitled “Text2SQL is Not Enough: Unifying AI and Databases with TAG”, the authors outline current AI limitations and outline the massive potential in unlocking AI systems that serve natural language questions (i.e. real world language used to ask questions) combined with databases.
The authors point to the limitations of Text2SQL and RAG that are limited in scope, only able to handle SQL queries or retrieve specific focused data points. Currently, most businesses use these technologies, requiring individuals within the organization to analyze queries and generate reports based on the simple questions they have in order to get to an answer. This process consumes significant time and resources, limiting the ability of AI tools to fully transform their BI potential.
To solve this problem, the authors propose a Table-Augmented Generation, or TAG, system that’s designed to use language models (LMs) to provide answers based on a database. This would provide a broader approach to questions and further develop LMs to database information, and how they can work together. This makes the AI more relevant, and useful, for the potential user. Users could plug a simple question into the AI, which would comb through the database and use the LM to deal and interpret with the question asked. No external report needed, the AI would directly answer the question in real-time.
Now what does this mean for you? Let’s say you want to answer the question: “Show me total revenue generated in Q3 and the top 5 best selling products.” The Text2SQL approach will retrieve the necessary information: how much revenue and the top 5 products. TAG goes a step beyond providing additional reasoning and actionable insight. Instead of just listing Product 1 to 5. it will explain: “Product 2 did well in August due to a targeted marketing campaign. Q4 may benefit from following a similar approach.” This blog does a good job of explaining: “Like Text2SQL TAG maps the query terms to database tables and columns using schema awareness… However, TAG may use word embeddings or a language model to reason about the query and generate additional logic.”Unlocking TAG could elevate your BI to the next level.
In their study, the authors also compared the results of Text2SQL to their hand-written TAG baseline. Text2SQL answered queries correctly only about 20% of the time, TAG answered queries correctly between 55% and 65% of the time. This clearly demonstrates that TAG requires more research, given the real-world potential it can deliver.
At dbSeer we continuously work to understand new technologies that make your day to day work easier, that’s why reading reports like this one: exploring new ways of working with AI, data management, etc. is critical to our work. We want the technology to work for you, not you for it.
What We’re Listening To
dbSeer is tuning into High Signal, a podcast self-described “for Data Science, AI and Machine Learning Professionals.” Specifically, we recommend the episode interviewing Chiarra Farronto entitled “Data Science Meets Management: Teamwork, Experimentation and Decision Making.” Her anecdote describing “Trip Parties” that Uber used to better understand their customers is invaluable. Uber combined their engineers, data scientists and project managers to see the user-interface and better understand how to make their product work. Traditionally, each of these practices work in separate silos. Farronto emphasizes that business and data scientists are a natural fit for elevating work.
If you’re interested in going beyond the podcast, we recommend this 2018 Report from McKinsey entitled “Achieving Business Impact with Data” that emphasizes the importance of building your data culture within your business. “Data has become the new corporate asset class– and the best way for companies to generate and access is to digitize everything they do”, this is necessary reading for any organization interested in creating insight-based value that drives impact for their business.
A Report We’re Reading…
dbSeer has been reading the Gartner report on the Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2025. This report, released yearly, identifies impactful technologies Gartner predicts will shape industry and drive business outcomes.
While all ten outlined trends are worth exploring, dbSeer is particularly drawn to the top two: Agentic AI systems and AI governance platforms.
Gartner predicts that by 2028, at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously through Agentic AI, a type of artificial intelligence able to autonomously achieve specific goals. In 2024, this percentage stands at 0%. Currently, it’s estimated that 73% of companies waste time on tasks that AI can automate.
At dbSeer, we believe AI is the key to the future and optimizing your workflow within your organization. We are constantly experimenting with the latest cutting-edge technologies to bring to your business. Our goal is to help drive better business decisions, and if AI can help automate some of the busywork, that opens you up for the most important, human work.
Regarding AI governance platforms, Gartner predicts that by 2028 companies that use AI governance platforms will receive 30% higher customer trust ratings. Currently 60% of companies aren’t developing ethical AI policies, making this an issue to be addressed. At dbSeer, we ensure your AI stays current with the latest compliance and security standards.
We are dedicated to creating a world where AI is reliable and trustworthy because that’s the only future we envision. At the heart of our mission lies a core belief: technology should solve problems, not create them.
A Moment in History Worth Looking At…
As a mechanical engineer, Frederick Winslow Taylor was all about optimizing efficiency. In 1911, he published the “Principles of Scientific Management” which was one of the earliest examples of the importance of making data-driven decisions in your business. To get to this conclusion, Taylor ran workplace experiences ranging from observing bricklayers work and experimenting with various approaches to most efficiently lay bricks. Using scientific observations led to better work. Using this data saved time and money, and that trend continues to today. Insight-driven businesses grow at exponential rates, statistics estimate upwards of 30% annually, and that’s because applying data to decision-making makes a difference. According to McKinsey Global Institute, organizations that use data-decision making are 23x more likely to retain customers. So, when you turn to data to make better decisions: think (and thank!) of Mr. Taylor.
What we’re working on…
Accurate data assessments lead to better business decisions. A digital transformation is a key component of that for your business. Over 20% of companies outright fail in this endeavor and 40% achieve only suboptimal results when doing so. At dbSeer we’ve been working on providing a straight-forward path to success: a clear cut data assessment. Data assessments can help: assess your data maturity level, understand where your organization currently stands, and evaluate if a migration exercise is needed.
Our data assessment offers you flexibility and understands your business needs. We offer a tailored-for-you approach.
- We offer a data maturity assessment that evaluates how effectively your organization collects, manages and utilizes data. It seeks to answer the question: how data-driven is your organization currently, and where can it stand to go? (2-3 weeks)
- We offer a migration assessment that evaluates if you require an all-out modernization approach or a lift-and-shift approach. It seeks to evaluate what strategy your organization will need for a smooth transition. (1-2 weeks)
- We offer a comprehensive assessment that combines both the data maturity and migration assessment. It seeks to provide the most comprehensive overview and evaluation for your organization to move forward in its data journey. (3-4 weeks)
Reach out to us today, start here: Data Assessment Form
We also want to wish everyone that supports dbSeer happy holidays! Read our year in recap if you want to see what we accomplished over 2024, and what we hope to do in 2025. See you next year!
