In accordance with various embodiments, described herein is a system (Data Artificial Intelligence system, Data AI system), for use with a data integration or other computing environment, that leverages machine learning (ML, DataFlow Machine Learning, DFML), for use in managing a flow of data (dataflow, DF), and building complex dataflow software applications (dataflow applications, pipelines). In accordance with an embodiment, the system can perform an ontology analysis of a schema definition, to determine the types of data, and datasets or entities, associated with that schema; and generate, or update, a model from a reference schema that includes an ontology defined based on relationships between datasets or entities, and their attributes. A reference HUB including one or more schemas can be used to analyze data flows, and further classify or make recommendations such as, for example, transformations enrichments, filtering, or cross-entity data fusion of an input data.