Founded in 2013, Databricks provides cloud integration and analysis services. Its main focus is on a "data intelligence" platform that allows the aggregation and analysis of customer data stored across various clouds and provides business statistics. Shell, a client of Databricks, utilized the data intelligence platform to analyze 200 million sensor-related data points within its equipment and predict potential failures.
Databricks surpassed a cumulative investment of $10 billion (approximately 14.488 trillion won) as of last year and has secured 12,000 customers worldwide. This year, it attracted an additional investment of $15 billion (approximately 21 trillion won) from the Qatar Investment Authority. Databricks also agreed to collaborate with NVIDIA on data processing for artificial intelligence (AI) training last year. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, noted, "Through the partnership between NVIDIA and Databricks, we will combine our technologies to offer to everyone."
Navin Rao, vice president of generative AI at Databricks, met with ChosunBiz on March 3 (local time) at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 held in Barcelona, Spain, and said, "Using Databricks' platform, we can aggregate and analyze data distributed across multiple clouds, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft (MS)" and added, "This service enabled us to achieve $3 billion (approximately 4.3605 trillion won) in annual revenue, a 60% growth last year."
When aggregating and analyzing data on the cloud platform, file formats must be converted, and the data can be distorted from its original stored form. Rao explained, "The ability to store everything from raw data, intermediate analysis values, to final results without any loss is Databricks' competitive edge."
Databricks is focusing on applying AI to its platform this year. Rao stated, "We are developing a customized AI that provides suitable answers after learning from the analysis results through the platform, which can enhance work efficiency," adding, "We plan to utilize the investment funds attracted from the Qatar Investment Authority this year to advance our AI capabilities."
Rao noted, "South Korea is a very dynamic market with a keen interest in cloud technology," adding, "We are collaborating with South Korean clients like LG." Currently, LG Electronics is utilizing Databricks' platform for managing customer data.
He also said, "Asia is the fastest-growing cloud market and is expected to play a significant role in the adoption of generative AI," while expressing optimism about significant opportunities in the Asian market.
Rao joined the IT industry in 1997 as an engineer at Sun Microsystems and has worked at various corporations, including Teragen Corporation, Cali Networks, Qualcomm, and Intel. In 2014, he founded the AI startup Nervana and established the AI and machine learning company MosaicML in 2021. With MosaicML's acquisition by Databricks, he has been serving as vice president of generative AI since 2023. The following is a Q&A with Vice President Rao.
─ How do you view the global cloud and AI market this year?
"The global cloud market is growing about 30% each year. Companies prefer utilizing cloud resources over storing data on their own servers. This trend is particularly pronounced in Asia. AI that learns from more data and provides context-specific answers tailored to clients will gain attention."
─ What are Databricks' strengths compared to competitors?
"The ability to store data stably is Databricks' strength. It can aggregate and analyze data from various clouds in its original form simultaneously. It also provides customers with technology for analyzing data using AI early on. The ability to implement AI tailored to clients through data is also seen as a competitive advantage."
─ I heard you secured an investment of $15 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority this year.
"We will focus on enhancing the AI to be embedded in the platform using this investment. We are currently applying AI that learns various data on the cloud and gives situation-appropriate answers to the platform. By utilizing this technology, we can improve the operational efficiency of corporations. We also plan to provide technology that allows developers to create applications independently through AI."
─ What significance does the Asian market, including South Korea, hold?
"South Korea has a keen interest in new technologies like cloud and AI and is a rapidly moving market. South Korean companies always strive to be at the forefront, enabling them to grasp market trends. I believe this presents a significant opportunity for our company. Databricks is actively targeting the Korean market while collaborating with corporations like LG. Recently, we have established separate entities for India and Singapore in Asia to quickly expand our presence in the Asian market, which is leading global cloud transitions."
─ What areas are you keeping an eye on?
"We are focusing on all industries using cloud technology. Essentially, almost all corporations worldwide are either utilizing cloud technology or interested in it when handling information related to human resources, supply chains, and legal matters. I believe this situation will create opportunities for Databricks to expand its business."