The Art of Data War is a body of work on how organizations build data and AI advantage under real pressure. It is drawn from years spent building data organizations in the most data-intensive corners of the investment world — where weak foundations are exposed quickly, and good decisions compound.
War names what’s at stake — competition is constant, the contest is already underway, and advantage is earned. Art names what decides who wins — judgment, preparation, and the work that gets done before the fighting starts.
This work is for data leaders, business sponsors, builders, and partners — anyone trying to make sense of what good looks like now. AI, agents, quantum, and whatever comes next are not the subject — they are the reason the subject matters. One dispatch a week, beginning July 1st, 2026 — practical frameworks, field-tested observations, and a few honest lessons from the front lines of data strategy.
For more on why this is called The Art of Data War, start with Before the First Shot.
About me
I’ve spent my career building data organizations and shaping the data DNA of some of the most competitive environments in financial services — top-ranked trading desks, equity research platforms, and the world’s largest multi-strategy funds. In doing that, I’ve shipped products and capabilities with AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. Earlier work spans universities, consumer businesses, national grid operators and urban development companies across continents — where I learned to put data to work. I've built partnerships with providers and developed products in-house — both sides of the buy-and-build divide. Today, I work with organizations across industries on where data and AI actually pay off — and what posture to take in the age of AI. For the full record, find me on LinkedIn.
This is where I share what I’ve learned — and what I’m still figuring out.
Contact
Reach me at mardig@tcholakian.com
Connect on LinkedIn.
Why subscribe?
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.
