# Naveen Zutshi unlocks AI's data problem

> Databricks' CIO built Genie to let any employee tap company data and build with AI.
- Title: Naveen Zutshi unlocks AI's data problem · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: Databricks' CIO built Genie to let any employee tap company data and build with AI. Making internal data accessible to all employees, not just specialists…
- Keywords: naveen zutshi, databricks, chief information officer, genie ai agent, data governance, ai democratization, novo nordisk, virgin atlantic, unilever, internal data access, ai co-worker, Naveen
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/collection/executives-of-the-year-tech-data/2026/naveen-zutshi
- Published: 2026-09-22T13:01:09.296+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: naveen zutshi, databricks, chief information officer, genie ai agent, data governance, ai democratization, novo nordisk, virgin atlantic, unilever, internal data access, ai co-worker
## The data lockdown problem
Companies need internal data to power AI, but much of it sits trapped in unreachable systems and formats that teams can't access.
## Meet Genie, the AI co-worker
Databricks CIO Naveen Zutshi created Genie, an AI agent that lets employees query company data quickly, then research, automate tasks, or build applications.

> Genie is essentially an AI co-worker
## Enabling all 11,000 builders
Zutshi's mission at Databricks is simple: empower every employee to be a builder by giving them access to the data and tools they need.

> How do I enable all of them to be builders?
## Data governance powers the system
Zutshi's work on Genie's underlying data governance framework made it work for Databricks first, then scaled it to major customers.
## Real companies, real results
Novo Nordisk, Virgin Atlantic, and Unilever are already using Genie to democratize data and AI access across their organizations.
## Key takeaway

Making internal data accessible to all employees, not just specialists, is key to scaling AI across organizations.