Big Data Quarterly
Winter 2026 CONTENTS
editor’s note | Alison A. Trotta
departments
3 BIG DATA BRIEFING
Key news on big data product launches,
partnerships, and acquisitions
4 INSIGHTS | Simon Thornell and Akshay Chitlangia
Your AI Agent Knows Too Much:
The Agentic AI Privilege Problem
16 TRENDING NOW | Benjamin Henry
What a $23 Million Refresh Quote
Tells You About 2026
features
6 FEATURE ARTICLE | Joe McKendrick
The Future of Data Platforms:
Cloud-Native, AI-Driven, Real-Time Analytics
12 FEATURE ARTICLE | Joe McKendrick
AI-Ready Data Platforms: Key Capabilities
and Evaluation Guidelines
14 BIG DATA BY THE NUMBERS
The AI Use Gender Gap Is Closing
columns
18 DATA DIRECTIONS | Michael Corey & Don Sullivan
What Does Oracle’s AI Pivot Mean for Customers?
21 THE IOT INSIDER | Bart Schouw
Why Harness Engineering Will Be the Next Big Thing
22 GOVERNING GUIDELINES | Kimberly Nevala
Triple A for AI: Assessment, Assurance, Audit