📢 What if the biggest reason your AI projects struggle isn’t the tech—but the people?In this episode of Data Faces, Danny Stout, Product Lead at EY and seasoned AI strategist, shares why alignment, communication, and soft skills matter more than ever in data and AI teams.From building the right team structure to navigating internal politics, Danny brings practical insights from his decades-long career leading data and analytics transformation efforts across major enterprises.🔍 Key Takeaways:1- Bigger AI models aren’t always better—context and alignment win.2- Organizational misalignment kills great tech before it starts.3- Communication and soft skills are now essential for AI success.4- AI teams need more than tech talent—they need translators and connectors.5- Simple solutions often outperform flashy tools in real-world AI use.⏳ Timestamps for Easy Navigation:00:00 – Intro & guest welcome01:14 – Danny’s career path: from education to AI leader03:47 – Why tech obsession blinds us to the human element06:00 – The critical role of executive alignment10:22 – Who should you hire first on an AI team?14:52 – How GenAI is changing the skills landscape17:56 – The growing importance of soft skills20:59 – Why diversity supercharges team effectiveness21:54 – Real-world story: Predicting human behavior with data25:05 – Common blind spots in AI projects27:22 – Understanding and applying guardrails in GenAI28:33 – What GenAI tools Danny is building now30:19 – Advice for aspiring data & AI leaders33:57 – Final tips + where to follow Danny📩 More insights & resources:👉 [Insert blog/resource link here]🔗 Connect with Danny Stout:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannystout/💬 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment below!👍 Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on the people shaping AI and data!#AILeadership #AnalyticsCulture #DataStrategy #GenerativeAI #SoftSkillsInTech #AIteams #TechLeadership