Data leaders from HubSpot, Justworks, and The Movement Cooperative discuss the evolving role of data governance and semantic layers in creating trustworthy, AI-ready data systems. While 84% of data leaders prioritize data quality and reliability, only 50% have invested in semantic layers, with many considering changes due to skepticism about their effectiveness. Tony Avino from HubSpot emphasizes the importance of centralized data governance for AI and LLMs, while Mona Khalil from Justworks focuses on minimizing cognitive load and ensuring consistency for easier accessibility. Bella Wang from The Movement Cooperative highlights the challenges of data sharing and compliance among diverse members. The discussion reveals that while semantic layers are seen as tools for enhancing AI, there is caution about their utility without a solid foundation in data governance. The leaders agree that AI's success depends on high-quality data governance, and investments in data quality benefit AI models by providing the necessary documentation and control.