Sarah Lahiff

22 October 2025

Progress Without Control in the Age of AI and Compliance

There’s growing unease in the database world regarding delivering at speed, raising the question – just how do we keep up with the pace of change without losing control of the things that matter most?

AI is rapidly transforming the mechanics of how code is written, reviewed, and optimized which in-turn, increases the risk of destabilization. Organizations are attempting to combat this with tightening compliance frameworks but ultimately are struggling to maintain pace as data fast becomes more distributed and exposed. The lure of unprecedented speed is incredibly tempting, but speed always raises another question: what might we be leaving behind?

These are the questions we’re asking in the State of the Database Landscape survey. It’s not to offer instant answers, but to learn how teams are adjusting in a world in which progress and responsibility may, at times, feel at odds.

Kellyn Gorman and Steve Jones, have witnessed that tension firsthand. Here, they offer a reflection from their own experience as to how teams are learning to balance acceleration and accountability.

When AI outpaces experience – Kellyn Gorman

“AI isn’t replacing data professionals, but helping them accelerate the value they already bring. For seasoned DBAs, it takes on repetitive work like tuning, documentation, and first-pass troubleshooting so they can focus on design, strategy, and governance. For those just starting out, it delivers quick insights but can’t substitute for the depth that comes from hands-on experience.”

Kellyn believes the future depends on how people and AI work together.

“Organizations will increasingly recognize the value of expert human judgment and professionals who know when to trust an AI recommendation, when to challenge it, and how to bring context that no algorithm can.”

To Kellyn, human knowledge and collaboration will remain central as AI continues to evolve.

When innovation outruns governance – Steve Jones

“Veteran teams who’ve been through audits and regulations often bake compliance into everything they do. It becomes second nature.”

Steve has watched how teams handle the balance between innovation and compliance. He’s noticed that established teams tend to embed compliance early, while newer teams, eager to adopt the latest platforms, sometimes push it to the back of the queue.

“Innovation may grab attention and seem more important in the short term, but compliance never goes away. Like any delayed maintenance or technical debt, catching up on compliance requirements is much harder than including them as part of your daily effort.”

He warns that compliance can be unforgiving.

“One misstep can cause real damage, financial or reputational. Experienced teams tend to anticipate those risks. Newer ones often learn the hard way.”

For Steve, innovation and governance are not opposing forces but parts of the same discipline. Building compliance into daily practices gives teams the freedom to innovate safely and sustainably.

Progress with accountability

Both reflections share a common theme regarding progress, it’s vital that as we push forward, we remember to stay grounded. Whether it’s knowing how to question AI recommendations or baking compliance into delivery pipelines, balancing innovation and security is essential for success.

Those that adopt this mindset are the ones most likely to thrive in the age of AI. It’s not who can go the fastest, but who can slow down, look harder and ensure that progress doesn’t come at at the cost of control.

Join the conversation

AI, compliance, governance, and innovation are no longer separate conversations. They’re all part of the same challenge that modern data teams have: how to remain in control while moving quickly.

The State of the Database Landscape 2026 survey explores how professionals around the world are trying to strike this balance. If you have faced similar questions in your own line of work about speed, risk, learning, or responsibility, we would love to hear from you.

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