In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Brick is joined by Blue Margin account executive Greg to demystify what it really means to “prepare your data for AI.” Rather than focusing on flashy tools and hype, they dig into the foundational steps, like building a modern data lakehouse and semantic layer, that are essential for long-term ROI. You’ll also hear why many companies are pulling back on generative AI pilots and what it takes to avoid falling into the “trough of disillusionment.” Key Moments 00:00 – Introduction 00:59 – Why most companies aren’t ready for AI 02:09 – The “trough of disillusionment” and AI pilot failures 05:19 – What is a data lakehouse and why it matters 07:24 – Handling structured vs. unstructured data 09:45 – What is a semantic layer 11:21 – Pyramid model for AI value creation 13:41 – AI is not a panacea: Aligning to real business needs 14:58 – Closing thoughts Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to get real results from your investments, this episode offers a grounded, strategic perspective.