Metadata, semantics, and the future of AI context | Steve Wooledge

The difference between an AI that "hallucinates" and one that acts intelligently lies in context.

In Episode 39 of the Data Faces Podcast, Steve Wooledge (CMO at Collate) joins David Sweenor to discuss why metadata, once a technical "card catalog," is now the foundational layer for the agentic era. Steve traces his journey from chemical engineering to building categories at Alteryx and Alation, and now leads the charge for open-source semantic intelligence at Collate.

Key takeaways
1. Metadata vs. semantics. Technical descriptions aren't enough for AI, and Semantic Intelligence Graphs provide the "gut feel" AI lacks.
2. The Switzerland approach. Organizations need a neutral metadata layer that spans silos such as Databricks and Snowflake.
3. Marketing velocity. AI is compressing production workflows and "Taste Squared" is the new metric for human marketing leaders.
4. The category creation playbook. Steve shares lessons learned from defining "Agentic Data Intelligence" at Alation.

Chapters
● 0:00 – Introduction
● 1:08 – From Chemical Engineering to Data Sales
● 3:45 – Guitar Shredding and "Melodic" Hard Rock
● 5:01 – Marketing Lessons. Dave Kellogg and the power of first principles
● 7:40 – The hard truth about partner marketing and global SIs
● 10:18 – Why open source out-innovates the enterprise
● 15:56 – Metadata for AI agents. The semantic intelligence shift
● 20:45 – The "neutral layer" strategy
● 24:03 – How AI is changing the CMO role
● 27:23 – "Taste squared." Why you can't be a lazy marketer
● 32:19 – Career advice for the next generation of data professionals
● 36:28 – Final advice. Peer review and quality control

Connect with Steve
● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewooledge/
● Collate: https://getcollate.io/

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