Conference: Budapest Data+AI Forum 2026

Date: May 20, 2026 – Time: 11:00 – 11:40 AM CET
Track: Data+AI Day (online) – Room 2
Location: Online (broadcast from Budapest, Hungary)

Talk: Data Engine Thinking: Future-proof data solutions
Speaker: Dirk Lerner

About the talk: Data tells stories – when understood in the right context. However, it often remains just "stuff" that we cannot use meaningfully. Data Engine Thinking aims to change this: It's about developing data solutions that are flexible, robust, and adaptable – just like the requirements that challenge businesses daily.

In this presentation, we'll accompany FastChangeCo on their journey from inflexible and siloed data platforms to a true Data Engine that adapts to changing business requirements. We'll show practical ways to design solutions that not only solve real problems but also evolve with change. Whether it's automation, contextual understanding, or the integration of modern frameworks: Data Engine Thinking covers the most important building blocks of a future-proof data solution. The approach is practical, adaptable, and designed to get the maximum out of data – so companies can not only keep pace with their data but truly accelerate.

About the speaker: Dirk is an experienced independent consultant and Managing Director of TEDAMOH – the Data Modeling Hub. He is regarded worldwide as an expert in BI and data architectures as well as data modeling, and is especially valued for his work on temporal data – including ground-breaking examples on his blog and in his training programs that explore the many facets of managing time in data and the corresponding solution approaches.

With a 25-year career focused on data modeling, temporal data, and automation, Dirk has consistently applied these disciplines to create flexible, lean, and extensible architectures.

As a pioneer of Data Vault and FCO-IM in Germany, Dirk has authored a range of publications and is a highly sought-after international conference speaker. Together with Roelant Vos he is co-author of the international book "Data Engine Thinking".

About the conference: The Budapest Data+AI Forum 2026 is Hungary's leading and longest-running independent conference on data management, machine learning, and AI – building on more than a decade of history as the former Budapest Data and ML Forum. At a glance:

• Audience – Data engineers, data architects, data scientists, machine learning engineers, AI practitioners, and data platform leaders from Hungary and across Europe
• Format – Three-day conference with three parallel tracks (Enterprise, Technology, Innovation) and more than 300 participants from 80+ companies. Day 1 as "Data Day" and Day 2 as "AI & ML Day" in person, Day 3 as "Data+AI Day" online
• Topics – Data engineering, data modeling, data quality, data governance, data platforms, Apache Iceberg, stream processing, agentic AI, applied AI, generative AI, enterprise AI, and case studies from international companies
• Character – Hands-on professional exchange in a bilingual atmosphere (English and Hungarian), a curated program with international speakers, and a strong focus on real-world experience reports rather than product demos
• Program – May 18–20, 2026, Danubius Hotel Helia Budapest (in-person) and online

For more than a decade, the Budapest Data+AI Forum has been the central meeting point for the Central and Eastern European data community – compact, international, and clearly focused on substance. A conference that connects international perspectives with local practice.