In this article, I invite you to explore the realities of working as a data analyst, talk about technology, training, and artificial intelligence. This isn’t a dry interview. It’s a written conversation, full of digressions, authentic insights, and real-life situations. Iga Kwiecińska, a Power BI specialist, has already been a guest on my channel, and this time she returns to talk about what has changed in her daily work, what challenges come with implementing BI tools, and how AI adoption actually looks in companies.
Check Iga Kwiecińska on LinkedIn.
If you’re interested in data analysis, work in a company that uses Power BI, or are considering implementing artificial intelligence in your organization – this text is for you. You’ll learn not only what works and what doesn’t, but also gain insights from someone who deals with this in practice every day.
Who is Iga Kwiecińska?
Kajo: For those who don’t know you yet – tell us a few words about yourself.
Iga: I work as a Power BI developer and run a solo business where I implement Power BI in organizations, design dashboards, and deliver training. Mainly in Power BI, Excel, and increasingly also in Copilot and AI in general.
Myths and Frictions in Power BI Implementation
Kajo: What problems do you most often see when you enter a company?
Iga: The most common myth is that Power BI is Excel on steroids. Companies try to transfer Excel logic 1:1 to Power BI, which doesn’t work at all. Suddenly it turns out the data is unstructured, reporting processes are undefined, and the report that was supposed to be for the management doesn’t suit the needs of operational employees.
Kajo: And of course, the question about exporting to Excel always comes up, right?
Iga: Always. Even when the report works great and looks fantastic, the first question is: “how do we export this to Excel?” It’s not just a meme – it’s a real habit and a need for control. People want the option to do something extra by themselves.
Artificial Intelligence and Copilot: Expectations vs. Reality
Kajo: Let’s move on to Copilot. What does its adoption in companies look like?
Iga: The most common sentence I hear is: “I thought I just had to click a button and it would do everything.” There’s a lot of misunderstanding. People think AI is some magical technology that does everything for them. Then comes the disappointment that they still have to check results, verify data, and understand the context.
Kajo: So AI is more of a support tool, not a replacement.
Iga: Exactly. For more technical users, Copilot is helpful for generating code, reducing search time for solutions. But it can’t be treated as an oracle. I treat it as a modern Stack Overflow.
Education as the Key to Success
Kajo: How do you convince people to Power BI and AI, if so many things scare them off?
Iga: I show real benefits. How much time they can save. What Power BI Service allows them to do. I teach them how to use drill-through and bookmarks. For many people, it’s a revelation – they realize they don’t need Excel anymore.
Kajo: And Copilot?
Iga: It’s great for creating presentations, preparing for training, writing texts. It can generate likely questions for training sessions. But when it comes to data analysis? You need a foundation. A prompt alone won’t make you an analyst.
Will AI Take Our Jobs?
Kajo: That’s the big question. Are you worried?
Iga: The more I use AI, the more I feel it dumbs me down. So I try to use it wisely. AI can help, but it can’t replace thinking, asking questions, interpreting data. Honestly, I often complete a task faster manually than writing a prompt, reading the output, and verifying it.
Training: Online or On-Site?
Kajo: You’re a big fan of in-person training, right?
Iga: Definitely. When I train live, I see people, their reactions, and I can adapt. Online doesn’t give you that. Cameras are off, there’s no interaction. In-person, I can immediately notice if someone is stuck. Plus, coffee breaks are invaluable for building relationships and having honest conversations.
How to Get the Most from a Training?
Kajo: Do you have any advice for training participants?
Iga: First: check the agenda and honestly assess your skill level. Come with questions and know what you want to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask, engage, participate. A training is not a podcast in the background – it’s a live session.
News and Irritations in Power BI
Kajo: What new Power BI features would you recommend?
Iga: Definitely the new KPI cards and advanced slicers. And maps – they’ve improved significantly. Many people don’t use these features, and they’re very helpful.
Kajo: What still annoys you?
Iga: The option to bring the visualization panel closer to the chart. I can’t get used to it, I always turn it off. But that’s a matter of personal preference.
The Analyst’s Path: What’s Next?
Kajo: What are your plans for the future?
Iga: Right now, I’m managing ongoing projects, but I’m slowly building my own product. I hope it will be a step toward passive income. Still, working with people and training is very important to me. So I want to combine both paths.
Conclusion: Data Analysis Is About People
This conversation with Iga shows that data analysis isn’t just charts and formulas. It’s also (and maybe primarily) about people: understanding their needs and building tools that truly support decision-making. Power BI and AI are just tools – effective if we know how to use them and what we want to achieve with them.
If your company already uses Power BI, is thinking about implementing Copilot, or you simply want to grow in the field of data analysis – there are plenty of practical takeaways from this conversation with Iga.
And I hope this won’t be our last conversation with Iga on KajoData.
Prefer to read in Polish? No problem.
Other interesting articles:
- How to Become a Data Analyst with No Experience? Izabela Witczak’s Real Story
- How to Start Analyzing Your Own Data? 5 Steps for Aspiring Data Analysts
- What to Do with a Weak Resume? 5 Strategies That Actually Work
The article was written by Kajo Rudziński – analytical data architect, recognized expert in data analysis, creator of KajoData and polish community for analysts KajoDataSpace.
That’s all on this topic. Analyze in peace!
Did you like this article 🙂?
Share it on Social Media 📱
>>> You can share it on LinkedIn and show that you learn something new every day.
>>> You can throw it on Facebook – and perhaps help a friend of yours who is looking for this.
>>> And remember to bookmark this page, you never know if it won’t come handy in in the future.
You prefer to watch 📺 – no problem
>>> Subscribe and watch my English channel on YouTube.
