DataMPowered Shares Practical AI Insights at BizsNetwork's First In-Person Event of 2026
DataMPowered participated in BizsNetwork's first in-person event of 2026 at Swinburne University, sharing insights on why AI often fails to deliver business value and introducing ifCEM's governance-first approach.
DataMPowered Shares Practical AI Insights at BizsNetwork's First In-Person Event of 2026
DataMPowered recently participated in BizsNetwork's first in-person event of 2026, held at Swinburne University's Hawthorn campus. The session brought together business owners, founders, and professionals for an evening focused on practical decision-making, emerging technology, and meaningful connections.
The event opened with an interactive hands-on exercise applying the 80/20 Principle (Pareto) to business, health, and personal priorities. Attendees worked through real examples to identify high-impact actions they could take into 2026, setting a practical and engaging tone for the evening.
Guest Talk: Why AI Often Fails to Deliver Business Value
As part of the evening program, Dakshan Pothuhera, CEO and Founder of DataMPowered, delivered a short keynote titled:
"Why AI Often Fails to Deliver Business Value – And a Better Way Forward."
The talk explored recurring patterns observed across AI initiatives in real organisations, particularly why many projects stall after early pilots or initial adoption phases.
Key themes discussed included:
Why AI projects frequently lose momentum after early trials
The impact of lost context, lack of trust, and unclear ownership
Why many AI challenges are organisational and human in nature, rather than purely technical
Rather than focusing on model capability or technical complexity, the session emphasised the importance of governance, accountability, and alignment with organisational decision-making.
Introducing ifCEM: A Governance-First Approach to AI
The presentation also introduced ifCEM (Intelligence as a Function of Context, Experience, and Modularity) — DataMPowered's approach to designing AI systems that operate within clearly defined boundaries.
ifCEM is built around the idea that AI should support decision-making without bypassing accountability. By embedding governance, role-based access, and contextual awareness into how AI systems behave, ifCEM is designed to fit how organisations already operate, rather than forcing teams to adapt to unmanaged technology.
The session was intentionally delivered without technical jargon, focusing instead on practical implications for leaders, investors, and decision-makers seeking AI solutions that can be trusted in day-to-day operations.
Looking Ahead: BizsNetwork's 2026 Roadmap
The event also marked the launch of BizsNetwork's 2026 roadmap, which includes:
Monthly in-person events with a deeper focus on growth and collaboration
A new mentoring service pairing experienced members with those building or scaling businesses
Stronger networking through cross-industry partnerships, referrals, and joint events
The evening concluded with an open Q&A and networking session, giving attendees the opportunity to continue discussions and connect with peers across industries.
DataMPowered thanks BizsNetwork for the invitation and looks forward to continuing conversations around practical, governed AI that delivers real value in organisational settings.
