Data Shows What Happened, Context Shows Why | Paul K, Matillion @BDL

In this interview, Shubhangi Dua, Podcast Host, Producer and B2B Tech Journalist at EM360Tech, speaks to Paul Kryla, Global Director, Field Engineering, Matillion, at Big Data LDN 2026 at Kensington Olympia, London. 

They discuss how foundational AI deployment relies heavily on high-quality data and rich context.

“It all wraps around context. Data tells us what happens and context tells us why it matters,” Kryla tells Dua, talking about what CEOs in the enterprise need to pay attention to.

For example, one of the most significant trends we observe today regarding contextual understanding involves identifying financial fraud within banking systems.

“Consider a scenario where your financial institution alerts you to a suspicious £1,200 transaction,” Matillion Director explains. “If you look at it from a data perspective, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“But if you put context behind it and notice that the transaction happened in Singapore in the past 24 hours, but this person hasn't left the UK in the past 20 years—and their typical transactions are between £20 and £50—it takes a look at that context and says, ‘Whoa, there's a problem here. Let's flag it.’”

Along with deviations from normal purchasing patterns, having context behind the knowledge management AI system immediately signals potential fraudulent activity.

Many enterprises stumble by rushing to roll out AI without properly getting their enterprise data in order first. Achieving real value demands establishing solid data readiness before implementing advanced models.

Visit matillion.com.