The modern data stack has become critical for leveraging AI, as highlighted in Databricks' 2023 State of Data + AI report. The report found that companies are increasingly using SaaS LLM APIs and investing in the modern data stack to train models. However, without effective tools and practices, organizations can block themselves from successfully implementing AI due to issues with data movement and transformation. Utilizing an ELT platform like Fivetran can automate these processes, freeing up resources for higher-value work. The report also highlights the importance of transforming large volumes of raw data into a structured format suitable for training models, with tools like dbt and Fivetran playing a crucial role in this process. Additionally, storing data in a data lakehouse, which combines the flexibility of a data lake and the management methods of a data warehouse, is essential for leveraging AI. Ultimately, the future of AI will depend on how organizations utilize their modern data stack to achieve innovative results.