As the data and analytics landscape evolves rapidly, enterprise organizations are rethinking how they deliver scalable, governed, and intelligent insights. At the center of this transformation? The semantic layer—a foundational component of the modern data stack that bridges business users and data infrastructure.
At the 2025 Semantic Layer Summit, global leaders in AI, analytics, and data infrastructure will gather to share what’s next for semantic technology, Generative AI, and intelligent decision-making. Whether you’re evaluating semantic solutions, experimenting with GenAI, or modernizing legacy BI systems, here are five reasons not to miss this year’s event:
1. Discover How GenAI and Semantic Layers Work Together
The fusion of Generative AI and semantic layers is revolutionizing how enterprises interact with data. In the headline session, “The Future of Semantics and BI with GenAI: Transforming Data for the Next Generation,” hear from top leaders shaping the industry:
- Bruno Aziza, Group VP, Data, BI & AI at IBM
- Josh Klahr, VP Product Management at the Snowflake Data Cloud
- François Lopitaux, SVP/GM of Emerging Technologies & Products at ThoughtSpot
- Ken Wong, Sr. Director Product Management AI/BI at Databricks
This session will explore how semantic modeling and GenAI can deliver governed, automated analytics at scale—driving trusted decision-making, improved accessibility, and enterprise-grade AI applications.
2. Learn from Real-World Case Studies: Vodafone + Celfocus
Go beyond theory with a customer spotlight featuring Vodafone and Celfocus. Learn how they replaced legacy OLAP systems with a cloud-native semantic layer, enabling governed self-service analytics for thousands of users.
This case study offers practical insights into performance optimization, semantic layer adoption, and modernizing enterprise analytics infrastructure challenges.
3. Explore What’s Next for Natural Language Query (NLQ)
For years, natural language reporting has been a promising—but often elusive—goal for business intelligence. That’s beginning to change thanks to advancements in large language models (LLMs). In “The Future of Natural Language Reporting,” Joseph Hobbs, Sr. Solutions Architect at Databricks, will outline a practical approach to building NLQ interfaces that work with your existing semantic model—empowering business users with intuitive data access, without compromising trust or accuracy.
4. Get an Expert Framework for Evaluating Semantic Layer Platforms
Selecting the right semantic layer is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your data stack’s performance, governance, and scalability. In “Analyst Guide: Key Tips for Evaluating Semantic Layers,” experts, including Former Gartner Research VP Sanjeev Mohan, Former GigaOm Research Director, Andrew Brust, and Dr. Prashanth Southekal, will share frameworks and criteria for evaluating semantic solutions. Whether you’re just starting or refining an existing strategy, this session will provide the tools to make informed decisions.
5. Stay Ahead with Open Semantics + Platform Innovation
As the demand for AI-ready data infrastructure grows, openness and interoperability are becoming essential. In “Open Semantics: AI and Interoperability,” Dael Williamson, EMEA Field CTO at Databricks, will explore how open standards, shared metrics, and semantic context are reshaping the future of analytics.
Attendees will also hear from AtScale CTO David Mariani, who will deliver the summit keynote and preview the latest advancements in AtScale’s Universal Semantic Layer Platform—including support for open-source semantics, NLQ benchmarks, and GenBI capabilities.
Bonus: New Sessions Are Being Added Weekly
The agenda continues to grow! New additions include industry-focused sessions like “How TELUS is Scaling Self-Service BI” with Google Cloud and TELUS, as well as deep dives into emerging use cases, innovations, and architecture patterns across industries.
Shaping the Future of Data Together
The Semantic Layer Summit brings together a diverse community of data leaders, engineers, analysts, and technologists to explore how the semantic layer drives innovation across industries. If your organization invests in AI, modernizes its data stack, or builds toward self-service analytics at scale, this event offers strategic insight and actionable guidance.
Join us for the 2025 Semantic Layer Summit to learn, connect, and shape the next analytics chapter. New sessions and speakers are being added every week!
Semantic Layer Summit 2025 FAQs
A free virtual event hosted by AtScale, featuring expert sessions on semantic modeling, GenAI, NLQ, and modern data stack innovation.
Data leaders, analytics professionals, engineers, and business users looking to scale AI-powered analytics using a semantic layer.
Semantic Layer Summit is a free, virtual event – you can join from anywhere in the world! It will be streamed live from 10AM – 4:30PM Eastern.
You can register online by going to the Semantic Layer Summit website: https://www.semanticlayersummit.com/.
Industry leaders, technical professionals, and many others will be presenting at this year’s Summit. For an up to date list of speakers, check out the speakers section of the Semantic Layer Summit website.
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