The AI Next Awards & Conference 2026 proudly recognized Nick Battista with the prestigious Excellence in AI & Technology Leadership Award for Data & AI Transformation Leadership, honoring his significant contributions to helping organizations build modern data foundations and accelerate enterprise AI adoption.
As Managing Director, U.S. at iData Global, Nick Battista has established himself as a trusted advisor and leader in the rapidly evolving fields of data strategy, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. His work focuses on helping organizations navigate one of the most important challenges of the AI era: transforming fragmented and siloed data environments into scalable, intelligent platforms capable of delivering measurable business value.
Throughout his career, Nick has championed the belief that successful AI initiatives begin with strong data foundations. While many organizations rush toward AI implementation, he has consistently emphasized the importance of aligning data architecture, governance, and business objectives to create sustainable, long-term success. This practical and strategic approach has helped organizations move beyond experimentation and unlock real business outcomes from their AI investments.
At iData Global, Nick leads go-to-market strategy and client partnerships across the United States, working closely with executive leaders, technology teams, and enterprise stakeholders to design and implement modern data ecosystems. His expertise spans data modernization, governance frameworks, cloud transformation, analytics, and AI enablement, enabling organizations to build the infrastructure necessary for enterprise-scale innovation.
A strong advocate for collaboration and ecosystem-driven innovation, Nick works closely with leading technology partners, including Microsoft and Databricks, to deliver advanced data and AI solutions. By leveraging best-in-class technologies and global delivery capabilities, he helps organizations accelerate their transformation journeys while ensuring scalability, security, and operational excellence.
Beyond his professional leadership, Nick is an active contributor to the broader data and AI community. He is the author of Data & AI Weekly, where he shares insights on emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices for data-driven organizations. He also serves on the Data Governance Society Board at the Technology Association of Georgia, helping shape discussions around responsible data management, governance, and AI readiness.
Nick's leadership reflects a growing recognition that data governance, architecture, and organizational alignment are critical components of successful AI adoption. His ability to bridge technical complexity with business strategy has made him a respected voice among executives seeking to transform their organizations through data and artificial intelligence.
The Data & AI Transformation Leadership Award recognizes leaders who are driving meaningful change by helping organizations harness the power of data and AI to improve decision-making, innovation, and business performance. Nick Battista exemplifies these qualities through his commitment to enabling practical, scalable, and responsible AI transformation.
As enterprises continue to embrace artificial intelligence as a strategic priority, leaders like Nick are playing a vital role in ensuring that organizations have the foundations, governance, and vision necessary to succeed. His work continues to influence how businesses approach data modernization and AI adoption in an increasingly digital world.
The AI Next Awards & Conference proudly congratulates Nick Battista on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his ongoing contributions to advancing data-driven innovation, enterprise AI adoption, and digital transformation leadership.