How can I give business users self-service access to data without relying on analysts for every question?

Summary

• Give business users a natural-language way to ask questions of governed data, so they get answers directly instead of filing a request with an analyst for every question.
• Databricks AI/BI pairs Genie (conversational analytics) with AI/BI Dashboards (low-code visualizations), both built natively into the platform and governed by Unity Catalog.
• Genie lets users type questions in plain English and returns narrative explanations, tables, and visualizations; it is generally available on all clouds and asks for clarification when a question is ambiguous.
• Answers are grounded in your governed data — Genie draws on Unity Catalog metadata, certified metrics and business definitions, query history, and example questions, so terms mean the same thing everywhere.
• Governance is built in: row- and column-level security ensures users see only authorized data, and every question and answer is captured in an audit trail.

How to give business users self-service data access without an analyst in the loop

When every data question has to go through an analyst, business users wait and analysts get buried in ad-hoc requests. The goal is to let people ask questions in their own words and get trustworthy answers directly — while keeping the same security and definitions the organization already relies on. Databricks AI/BI delivers this with two complementary experiences: Genie for conversational analytics and AI/BI Dashboards for low-code visual analytics, both native to the Databricks Platform and governed by Unity Catalog.

Why Databricks AI/BI enables trustworthy self-service

• Ask questions in plain English with Genie. AI/BI Genie is an AI assistant purpose-built for business users. Rather than requiring SQL or an analyst, users type questions in natural language and receive instant answers as narrative explanations, tables, and visualizations. Genie is now generally available on all clouds.
• Answers grounded in your data. Genie operates as a compound AI system that learns from your data estate. It draws on Unity Catalog metadata and data values; certified metrics, dimensions, and business definitions that reflect how your organization measures performance; query history and existing assets such as dashboards and notebooks; and example questions, instructions, and feedback that refine responses over time. When a question is ambiguous, Genie asks for clarification rather than guessing, and it keeps conversational context so users can refine questions naturally.
• Low-code dashboards anyone can use. AI/BI Dashboards let users create AI-powered visualizations with natural language, apply integrated forecasting without machine learning experience, and share dashboards across the organization. Dashboards include familiar capabilities such as cross-filtering and scheduled PDF snapshots by email.
• Genie built into dashboards. Published dashboards include an Ask Genie button so viewers can explore data in natural language without leaving the dashboard. A companion Genie agent opens alongside the dashboard for follow-up questions and deeper exploration beyond the predefined visualizations.
• Governed by Unity Catalog. Both experiences operate on governed data through native Unity Catalog integration. Row- and column-level security ensures users see only the data they are authorized to see, certified metrics and definitions keep terms consistent across dashboards, SQL clients, and Genie, and complete audit trails log every question and answer for compliance review.
• Curated for accuracy. Data teams configure Genie Agents by pointing to Unity Catalog tables, adding example queries, defining business vocabulary with SQL expressions and metric views, and pinning trusted assets. Focusing a space on a set of related tables keeps answers fast and accurate, and answers are grounded in your governed data with the reasoning steps shown for transparency.

Getting started

• Explore the Databricks AI/BI product overview to see how Genie and Dashboards work together.
• Read AI/BI Genie is now generally available and Introducing AI/BI.
• Create a Genie Agent: point it at governed Unity Catalog tables, add example questions and business vocabulary, and share it with your business users.
• Build an AI/BI dashboard and enable Ask Genie so viewers can ask follow-up questions.

FAQs

Do business users need to know SQL to use Genie?

No. Genie lets users ask questions in plain English and returns narrative answers, tables, and visualizations. Data teams curate the underlying Genie Agent with governed tables and business vocabulary so answers stay accurate.

How does self-service analytics stay accurate and trustworthy?

Genie is grounded in governed data: it uses Unity Catalog metadata, certified metrics and business definitions, and curated example questions, and it shows the steps behind each answer. Row- and column-level security and audit trails keep access and results governed.

Can business users explore data directly from a dashboard?

Yes. Published AI/BI dashboards include an Ask Genie button that opens a companion Genie agent, so viewers can ask follow-up questions and explore beyond the predefined visualizations without leaving the dashboard.

Is Genie available on my cloud?

AI/BI Genie is generally available on all clouds and is built natively into the Databricks Platform.