Generative BI, powered by Generative AI, is one of the fastest-evolving business methodologies today, with new trends and technologies emerging constantly. Following top Gen AI voices on LinkedIn and Twitter is an excellent way to stay informed, as their posts and articles offer exclusive insights and tips. Here’s a list of the top Generative AI influencers to follow in 2024 and beyond.
Let’s dive into the list of top Generative AI influencers.
- Steve Nouri
Generative AI Founder | Advisor at Fortune 500 | Keynote Speaker
Steve Nouri is a world-renowned data science enthusiast who is passionate about AI and innovation. He enjoys sharing his knowledge by speaking and engaging in tech forums. Founder of AI4Diversity, a global non-profit with over 10,000 volunteers, Nouri is committed to fostering diverse communities and responsible AI use. His remarkable journey has inspired over 1.4 million followers to learn and grow together.
- Kate Strachnyi
Founder of DATAcated™ | Data + AI Content Creator | O’Reilly AuthorFounder of DATAcated, Kate Strachuni helps companies amplify their brand in AI, machine learning, and data science. A content creator with 200k+ followers, she also runs the DATAcated Plus program, connecting brands with 25+ influencers. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and DataIQ USA100, Strachuni has also authored “ColorWise: A Data Storyteller’s Guide to the Intentional Use of Color.”
- George Firican
Award Winning Data Governance Leader | Founder of LightsOnData | Podcast HostFounder of LightsOnData.com and the LightsOnData YouTube Channel, George Firican has created engaging online courses, guides, and resources on data governance and management. Host of the “Lights on Data” podcast, Firican also provides LinkedIn content strategies for data-focused companies. An international keynote speaker and panelist, he has spoken at over 60 conferences worldwide, sharing insights on data and Gen AI.
- Andreas Kretz
Data Engineering Speaker | 3x LinkedIn Top Voice | 180k YouTube subscribers
Andreas Kretz is the founder of the Learn Data Engineering Academy, where he has coached over 2,000 students with 30+ courses and 50+ hours of content. With 14+ years in Computer Science, IoT, and Data Engineering leadership, he was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Data Science & Analytics. Besides speaking all over the globe, he also hosts the “Plumbers of Data Science” podcast and a popular YouTube channel.
- Andrew Jones
Data Science & Analytics Mentor | 6x Patents | Author | Advisor
With 15 years in Data Science at companies like Amazon and Sony PlayStation, Andrew Jones developed patented machine learning features for the PS5. Having interviewed hundreds of Data Science candidates, he understands what makes a standout hire. Author of “The Essential A.I. & Data Science Handbook for Recruitment,” Jones has also mentored data professionals on skill development, promotions, and interview success.
- Christina Stathopoulos
Business Analytics Expert | Influencer | Speaker | Author | Advisor
Christina is a driven analytics professional helping companies harness data and leverage emerging technologies. Passionate about lifelong learning, she aims to make advanced data technologies accessible to all. Bilingual and well-versed in international relations, she thrives in multicultural environments, having traveled to 60+ countries. An avid reader and advocate for women in STEM, she is also a regular international speaker.
- Avery J. Smith
Data Evangelist | Business Analytics Expert | Influencer | AdvisorAvery is dedicated to helping professionals break into data science. Creator of Data Career Jumpstart, a bootcamp that guides students in building portfolios, developing skills in Python, R, SQL, and more, and landing remote, high-paying jobs. He’s also the founder of Snow Data Science, an analytics firm tackling diverse data projects. Former Data Scientist at ExxonMobil, Avery has trained over 300 engineers and led massive analytics initiatives.
- Kristen Kehrer
Data Evangelist | Business Analytics Expert | Influencer | Advisor
Co-author of “Machine Learning Upgrade: A Data Scientist’s Guide to MLOps, LLMs, and ML Infrastructure“, Kehere has been a data scientist since 2010, starting with neural nets and ARIMAs in utilities and moving to healthcare and e-commerce marketing analytics. She is now focused on image and text data, developing models like a YOLOv8 school bus detector and an LLM-powered healthcare app.
- Claudia Imhoff
Embedded Analytics | Founder of Boulder BI Brain Trust (BBBT) | Author
Dr. Claudia Imhoff, founder of Boulder BI Brain Trust, is a renowned expert on data analytics, business intelligence, and supporting infrastructure. A sought-after speaker, she has co-authored five books and writes for technical and business magazines. Her expertise makes her a top authority on embedded analytics and generative AI, both trending topics in the data space today. You can also follow her on X.
- Howard Dresner
CRO at Dresner Advisory Services | Business Intelligence | Data Analytics
Howard Dresner, Chief Research Officer at Dresner Advisory Services, is the author of “Performance Management Revolution,” offering insights on improving business performance. As a renowned CRO, he ensures that his firm delivers fresh perspectives on information management, business intelligence, and data analytics, serving as an independent industry resource. You can also follow him on X.
- Boris Evelson
VP and Principal Analyst at Forrester | Data Analytics | Business Intelligence
Boris Evelson, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, specializes in Application Development & Delivery. A leading expert in Generative BI and embedded analytics, his expert research provides actionable best practices for BI infrastructure and applications, covering business cases, architectural options, organizational structures, and vendor selection. You can also follow him on X.
- James Richardson
Former Research Director at Gartner | Business Intelligence | Advisor
With over 25 years in BI, analytics, and performance management, James Richardson was named one of the UK’s ‘Top 50 Data Leaders’ in 2015. Author of the Gartner Magic Quadrant report for Analytics & BI Platforms, he has also chaired Europe’s largest Analytics & BI summit and written on topics like in-memory analytics and data storytelling. He is currently serving as VP Product Strategy, Analytics at Oracle.
- Andrej Karpathy
Building @EurekaLabsAI | Former Director of AI @ Tesla | Founding Team @ OpenAI
Andrej Karpathy began his influential career at Google DeepMind and was a founding member of OpenAI in 2016. He led Tesla’s computer vision team for five years before returning to OpenAI to help develop ChatGPT. Karpathy is currently working on a secret project to be announced later this year. On X, he explores AI programming and the latest GenAI developments, catering to both novices and experts.
- Yann LeCun
VP & Chief AI Scientist at Meta | Generative AIYann LeCun, a Turing Award winner, is a leading figure in generative AI, known for his work on convolutional neural networks. He serves as Chief AI Scientist at Meta and is a professor at New York University, where he founded the Center for Data Science in 2012. His expertise spans Machine Learning, mobile robotics, computational neuroscience, and computer vision. You can also follow him on X.
- Fei-Fei Li
AI Researcher, Stanford University | Scientific Partner, Radical Ventures | AuthorFei-Fei Li is a professor at Stanford University and co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI). Known for her work on ImageNet, she founded AI4ALL back in 2017, where she still serves as board chair. Li published a memoir in 2023, called “The Worlds I See”, detailing her illustrious career in AI. She constantly shares insights on her work and industry developments via social media. You can also follow her on X.
- Nathan Lands
Co-host, The Next Wave Podcast | Founder, Lore.com, The AI NewsletterNathan Lands is a prominent journalist and AI observer, running the techno-optimist newsletter Lore.com and co-hosting The Next Wave podcast and YouTube channel with Matt Wolfe. He shares insights on AI’s future, educating audiences on effective AI use. Lands analyzes and highlights the work of AI leaders, offering a broad perspective on industry trends through his social media channels. You can also follow him on X.
- Yves Mulkers
Host of Data Strategy Guru’s Podcast | Data Strategist at 7wData | Speaker | MentorAs a Data Strategist and Thought Leader with a chemistry and industrial operations background,Yves Mulkers evolved from early computing to advanced data management, analytics, machine learning, and AI. At 7wData and as host of the Data Strategy Guru’s podcast, he helps leverage data effectively. Mulkers advocates for excellence in both technical and strategic realms, and offers a holistic approach to data architecture.
- Cindi Housen
The Data Chief podcast | DataIQ 100 | CDO Mag 100 | WLDA Motivator of the YearCindi Howson began her career as a BI specialist at Dow Chemicals before founding BI Scorecard, establishing herself as an early BI influencer. After 14 years, she joined Gartner as VP for analytics and BI. In 2019, she became Chief Data Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot. Cindi also hosts the Data Chief Podcast and authored “Successful Business Intelligence: Unlock the Value of BI and Big Data.” You can also follow her on X.
- Stacia Varga
Business Intelligence | Data Analytics | AuthorWorking in BI since 1984, Stacia Varga is a leading expert at Microsoft in business intelligence. She has authored twelve books on SQL Server BI and received eight MVP awards from Microsoft since 2011. As an independent Consulting Partner at SQLskills.com, she is a prominent figure at PASS and SQL Server Connections conferences and founded Data Inspirations in 2006. Feel free to connect with her on X.
- Alex Thamm
Data & AI Expert | Founder | Speaker | Author | InvestorFew data experts get to name a company after themselves, but Alexander Thamm did just that. Since founding Alexander Thamm GmbH in 2012, his consultancy has grown to over 200 employees, becoming a leader in Data Science, Big Data, and AI in Germany. The company drives value from data and promotes responsible AI use. Alexander also founded the DATA festival in 2018, where experts share insights on Data Science and AI.
- Boris Evelson
Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester ResearchBoris Evelson specializes in insight-driven business (IDB) capabilities, guiding organizations on data governance, deployment, and vendor selection. His notable career includes roles as VP at JP Morgan and VP at Citibank, complemented by studies at the Moscow Gnessin School of Music. His journey combines expertise in finance with an unconventional background. You can also follow him on X.
- Richard Hackathorn
Business Intelligence | Data Analytics | Author | SpeakerAs CEO and Founder of Bolder Technology, Hackathorn focuses on managing and scaling Deep Analytic systems with AI innovations. His research, “Wandering in Latent Space,” explores localized manifold structures to address AI hallucinations and aims to create a collaborative immersive workspace. With extensive experience as an industry analyst, innovator, and lecturer, he has published three books and taught at Wharton and the University of Colorado. You can also follow him on X.
- Mike Ferguson
CEO at Intelligent Business Strategies | Industry Analyst, Consultant | Keynote SpeakerAn independent analyst and thought leader in Business Analytics, ML, Big Data, and Intelligent Business, Mike Fergusn integrates business apps, processes, and BI/ML/AI for continuous optimization. Chairman of Big Data LDN and a member of the EDM Council CDMC Executive Advisory Board, he has over 40 years of industry experience, including consulting, data strategy, and vendor implementation.
- Doug Henschen
VP & Principal Analyst, Constellation Research | Former Exec. Editor, InformationWeekHenschen’s research focuses on how organizations use data analysis to innovate and drive new business models. It spans the entire data lifecycle—from ingestion and integration to platforms, business intelligence, and advanced analytics. Coverage includes analytical data platforms, business intelligence, data integration, automation, data science (machine learning and deep learning), embedded analytics, and real-time analysis technologies.
Generative AI: Knowledge is Power
The aforementioned top Generative AI influencers are true champions. Following them will expose you to the latest trends and ideas, help reignite the Gen BI fire, and allow you to optimize your data operations for sustainable business growth.
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