Adopting Data & AI on Azure: Best Practices from a SA Gov Transformation Program

**Come join us and tune in to hear Jarrad Taylor & Claudia Kralik (from Dept of State Development) present on "Adopting Data & AI on Azure: Best Practices from a Government Transformation Program"** Organisations are under increasing pressure to modernise their data platforms while preparing for the rapid adoption of AI. But success isn't just about selecting the right technologies. It's about applying the right architecture, governance and engineering practices from the outset. In this session, we'll share best practices for building a modern Data & AI platform on Azure using Databricks as the foundation for Data, Integration and AI workloads. Drawing on our experience delivering a large-scale government digital transformation, we'll explore architectural patterns, governance approaches and engineering practices that enable organisations to build secure, scalable and AI ready platforms. We'll discuss how bringing together data engineering, enterprise integration, analytics and AI on a unified Azure platform can simplify architecture, improve developer productivity and accelerate the delivery of business value. Along the way, we'll share practical lessons learned, common pitfalls to avoid and proven approaches that attendees can apply within their own organisations. **About Jarrad Taylor:** **Jarrad** is the AI, Data & Integration Lead for the Skills SA Digital Transformation Program within the South Australian Department for State Development. Jarrad leads the strategy, architecture and delivery of the program's modern data and AI platform, bringing together Azure, Databricks, Salesforce and enterprise integration to support large scale digital transformation across government. His work spans data engineering, AI, integration, governance and solution architecture, with a strong focus on delivering secure, scalable and production ready platforms. With more than 20 years' experience delivering complex technology initiatives across government and the private sector, Jarrad is passionate about applying practical AI to solve real business problems. His current focus includes modern data platform architecture, agentic AI, enterprise data governance and accelerating software delivery through AI assisted engineering. About **Claudia Kralik**: **Claudia** is a Senior Business Analyst specialising in Artificial Intelligence within the Skills SA Digital Transformation Program at the South Australian Department for State Development. Claudia works at the intersection of business transformation and emerging AI technologies, helping translate complex operational challenges into practical, user centred AI solutions. She plays a key role in the design and delivery of AI enabled products, working closely with business stakeholders, technical teams and delivery partners to ensure solutions are both valuable and trusted. Her experience spans business analysis, AI product development, process improvement and stakeholder engagement, with a particular interest in responsible AI adoption, human centred design and embedding AI into everyday business processes. Please register to RSVP and ensure your surname is visible in Meetup if attending in person so that Microsoft can account for your safety in an emergency. If you are attending **in person**, Please also provide your email and mobile number in the following question. You **MUST** provide Photo ID on arrival and sign in. For those joining online, you can join the meeting at [[https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YzU5YmFlZTgtZDU3Zi00NjhmLWE5OGItOGNmY2RiODUxN2Zl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2272f988bf-86f1-41af-91ab-2d7cd011db47%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223af24284-20cf-42c4-aea5-e2cc22e24ef1%22%7d](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YzU5YmFlZTgtZDU3Zi00NjhmLWE5OGItOGNmY2RiODUxN2Zl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2272f988bf-86f1-41af-91ab-2d7cd011db47%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223af24284-20cf-42c4-aea5-e2cc22e24ef1%22%7d)](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YzU5YmFlZTgtZDU3Zi00NjhmLWE5OGItOGNmY2RiODUxN2Zl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2272f988bf-86f1-41af-91ab-2d7cd011db47%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223af24284-20cf-42c4-aea5-e2cc22e24ef1%22%7d) Meeting ID: 232 759 890 763 Passcode: kBh94B Agenda: 3pm - Arrival and registration 3 - 3.30pm - Pizza and chat 3.30 - 4.30pm - Meeting 4.30-5pm - Networking 5pm - Wrap up