Data chiefs from the public sector, healthcare, and financial services industries hailed the importance of data in driving real world outcomes in the era of AI at the Data Making a Difference summit in Belfast.
The Data Making a Difference event series hosted by Datactics, explored how organisations can move beyond theory to embed smarter data practices in everyday systems, making services more efficient, technology more accountable, and planning more effective, delivering tangible, measurable impact across industries.
The event built on insights from data leaders and financial institutions who have seen that when data is trusted, consistent, and embedded at the point of need, it becomes a driver of strategic success, not just a compliance checkbox.
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Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, said: “Data readiness is the foundation for better decisions, stronger compliance, and smarter services. Data is crucial to driving society’s change, whether in healthcare, financial services, or the public sector, the organisations making the biggest impact are those that treat data as a strategic asset and invest in information they can trust, use, and act on. When data is accurate, accessible, and aligned to real outcomes, it becomes a driver of long-term impact and resilience.”
“Whether you’re supporting vulnerable citizens, responding to new regulation, or building AI systems, the outcomes all depend on trusted data. What we heard in Belfast reinforced what’s being said across every sector, that better data leads to better decisions, better services, and better outcomes. It’s not about big bang projects, but about consistent, well-governed data used well, every day.”
Data continues to be a key component of business transformation efforts. Attendees agreed that culture, ownership, and real-time quality controls are essential to ensure systems stay aligned with business goals and citizen needs.
Datactics’s Data Making a Difference series brings together leaders from across the UK and Ireland in healthcare, finance, and the public sector to showcase how organisations are using data to improve services, drive innovation, and embed a stronger data culture.
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