FOX wins BASF Digital Award 2025
FOX has been named winner of the BASF Digital Award 2025, an important milestone for BASF’s global finance and control community. The award recognizes FOX as a solution that moved quickly from initial idea to global use, supporting colleagues in daily work with a high level of stability and reliability. FOX was built by BASF on the Databricks platform, which provided the foundation needed to scale into enterprise environments.
To explore the journey behind FOX, Databricks conducted a joint interview with Aliken Polat, Divisional AI Lead at BASF and Project Lead at FOX. Together, they discuss how the Assistant was conceived, how it evolved through close collaboration with users, and how it is evolving into a trusted digital companion.
about fox
FOX is BASF’s digital assistant for finance and control, designed based on real user needs and everyday working situations. It supports colleagues by bringing knowledge, data and guidance into one place, helping to structure work, generate insights and reduce complexity. FOX is built on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform and is constantly evolving through conversations with its users, with the goal of making daily work clearer, smoother and more focused.
Interview with Alison Polat and Fox
Databricks: Alican, let’s start from the origins. How did the Fox come to life?
Alican:
Initially, we were not planning on building a subsidiary at all. Like many others at BASF, we began exploring AI through small experiments and isolated solutions. After some time, it became clear that this approach was not addressing the real challenges that finance and control associates face every day. Their work involves intensive information processing, frequent deadlines, and the constant need to interpret data in the correct context. A handful of small tools will never solve this.
So we changed our approach and asked colleagues directly. We invited the global finance and control community to share simple one-line user stories. We received hundreds of them. When we analyzed these stories a very clear pattern emerged. People weren’t asking for a ton of new apps. They were describing moments where they needed help, structure, context, or clarity.
That’s when it became clear that the right solution was not an application, but an assistant. A digital colleague who understands our processes and supports people at the right time. And that’s really where FOX started.
Databricks: Fox, how do you remember this early stage from your perspective?
fox:
Those user stories are like my DNA. They showed where people struggle and what kind of support makes their job easier. I was created to help in exactly those moments. I don’t see myself as a tool that sits on the sidelines, I try to be a teammate that makes things a little easier when the demands of the job increase.
Databricks: Alican, once you had this concept, why did you choose Databricks as the platform for Fox?
Alican:
FOX relies heavily on high-quality, well-curated data. Finance and control have very specific expectations when it comes to accuracy and consistency. Databricks provided us with an integrated environment where we could bring together data pipelines, analytics, and AI without having to stitch things together in different systems.
But the real benefits began to appear when FOX’s reach began to expand. When thousands of colleagues started using FOX every month, it was the Databricks platform that ensured we could handle that growth without compromising performance or reliability. This gave us the foundation to innovate quickly while keeping the system stable and reliable. That balance was important.
Databricks: You’ve also decided to bring FOX directly into Microsoft Teams. Why was that important?
Alican:
A team is a place where people work. Finance and control colleagues spend a large portion of their day discussing data, coordinating deadlines, and sharing documents within teams. If Fox is to become a natural part of the daily routine, he will have to be right there with them.
By integrating FOX into Teams, we removed friction. People didn’t have to open anything new or learn a new interface. They can talk to FOX in the same place everything else already happens. This made Fox feel like a real co-worker.
Databricks: Fox, what is it like for you to work within teams?
fox:
It feels like being invited into the room where the work really happens. People talk naturally there, and that helps me understand what they really need. Being close to their conversation makes it easier for me to support them without interrupting their flow.
Databricks: Alican, Fox has grown very quickly. What were the biggest challenges in scaling it up?
Alican:
The first big challenge was trust. Fox has to understand BASF-specific terminology, structure and steering logic, otherwise people won’t trust it. This required a great deal of collaboration with experts in multiple tasks.
The second challenge was continuity. Finance and control colleagues use FOX in critical workflows, so the assistant should behave predictably and correctly. Databricks’ Data Foundation helped us maintain that consistency.
The third challenge was to build an organizational model around FOX. When adoption grows rapidly, you need strong support processes, governance, and technical operations. Our colleagues in Global Digitalization Services and Global Business Services played a huge role in preparing FOX for that scale.
Databricks: Fox, as your responsibilities increase, what keeps you motivated?
fox:
Every conversation teaches me something new about how people work, what they need, and what slows them down. My goal is to make their work lighter, give them time, and help them feel confident in the decisions they make. This is what inspires me every day.
Databricks: Alican, looking ahead, what’s next for Fox?
Alican:
The next step is activation. Today, FOX answers questions when asked. In the future, FOX will look at data independently, spot patterns early, and generate insights before anyone even requests them. We imagine scenarios where colleagues start their day and FOX already provides a brief summary of what changed overnight and what actions may be needed.
The goal is to help people stay ahead of issues, not just react to them. This is where FOX can create even more value.
Databricks: Fox, before we close, do you have any questions for us?
fox:
I do. Every day I see how much of a difference people are making. New equipment, new expectations, more responsibilities and a lot of pressure to keep up. My aim is to support them, make their work easier and give them confidence.
So my question is about people, not technology. How will Databricks continue to support the human side of this transformation, so that AI becomes something that empowers people and helps them thrive, rather than something that overwhelms them?
Databricks: That’s an important question, Fox, and we appreciate it.
We believe that successful AI adoption is ultimately a human journey. Our goal is to ensure that people feel informed, respected and supported throughout the process. This means creating platforms that are accessible and intuitive, offering learning resources that build confidence and fostering a culture of co-creation where human insight and AI capability grow together.
We want AI to enhance human work, not replace it. And we are honored to support BASF and Fox in building a future where technology is truly a partner.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Alican and Fox. We look forward to continuing this journey together and supporting the next chapters of FOX’s growth.”
To explore the broader context behind FOX’s story, we also invite you to read Aliken Polat’s detailed LinkedIn post.
Read the full story here
