Cloud Realities – the podcast series

Dave, Esmee, and Rob take a moment to look back on the wild ride that was Season 4—revisiting the themes that sparked the biggest conversations and the guests who left a lasting impression. They also reveal what’s on their summer to-do lists and drop a few juicy hints about what’s coming in Season 5. Get ready—it’s going to be even bigger and bolder.

Thank you to all our listeners and guests for joining us in Season 4 – have a great summer and we will see you in September!

TLDR:

• 00:40 Season 4 by the numbers – and a fun mix-up with round figures
• 03:20 Reflecting on standout topics and memorable guests
• 03:42 Scaling AI: Hyperscaler narratives, tech momentum, and the adoption gap
• 13:18 Ethics in the AI era – how organizations can and must stay grounded
• 18:12 The human factor: Why “human-in-the-loop” matters more than ever
• 27:29 Sovereignty in tech – geopolitics, shifting narratives, and the rise of Sovereign AI
• 37:16 A deep dive into Telco – highlights from our dedicated mini-series
• 53:48 2025 tech trends with Gene Kim
• 55:33 Listener Q&A: Daniel Delicate on Cynefin vs. IT operating models
• 1:01:44 Andrea Kis on keeping humanity in fast-paced tech
• 1:06:09 Ezhil Suresh on how we prep and record our podcast with top-tier guests
• 1:11:38 John Eaton-Griffin on how guests have shaped our thinking
• 1:17:19 A word from our co-host
• 1:19:57 Looking ahead to Season 5: AAA episodes, new industry mini-series, and Hyperscaler events
• 1:22:09 Meet our new AI companions: Substack and the Cloud Realities chatbot
• 1:23:40 What’s next for us this summer

The rise of structure software fueled globalization by streamlining operations across borders. Now, Cloud and AI are accelerating this momentum, enabling faster innovation, smarter decision-making, and scalable growth. By modernizing ERP with intelligent technologies, organizations can stay agile, competitive, and ready for the next wave of global transformation.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Timo Elliott, Innovation Evangelist at SAP, to explore how SAP is driving globalization—and how organizations can accelerate innovation through the power of Cloud and AI.

TLDR:

• 00:55 Introduction of Timo Elliott
• 02:40 Rob shares his confusion about misleading online ads
• 08:06 In-depth conversation with Timo
• 46:32 Rethinking control in enterprise systems
• 1:00:00 Brunch at a Paris café or joining an event?

Guest:

• Timo Elliott

GreenOps is a cultural transformation that empowers developers to turn emissions data into meaningful action, bridging the communication gap with ESG teams and exposing the critical truth that cloud cost and carbon cost are not the same, which fundamentally reshapes how we approach sustainable IT.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to James Hall, Head of GreenOps at Green Pixie, to unpack the real state of GreenOps today—and why we’ve only just scratched the surface.

TLDR:

• 01:57 Rob is confused about AGI
• 06:11 Cloud conversation with James Hall
• 22:10 Esmee as media archeologist, found GreenOps is 50 years old
• 30:46 Having some drinks in the summer

Guest:

• James Hall

Quantum computing in 2025 is rapidly advancing toward commercialization, with breakthroughs in algorithms, scalable hardware, and cloud-based quantum services driving real-world applications across finance, healthcare, logistics, and cybersecurity

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob dive into the cutting edge of quantum computing with Catherine Vollgraff Heidweiller, Quantum AI PM at Google, and James Goeders, Head of Product for Google Quantum AI, exploring how far we’ve come since our June 2023 Quantumania! episode and what to expect from Willow—the bold fusion of quantum, AI, digital integration, deployment, and the broader tech ecosystem.

TLDR:

• 00:46 Meet Catherine and James – intros and backgrounds
• 02:22 Rob is confused about students using AI
• 09:40 Deep dive with Catherine and James on the current state and future of Quantum
• 48:01 Quantum isn’t just tech—it’s a whole new way of thinking
• 1:01:37 Seize the moment and bringing external users onto quantum hardware

Guest:

• Catherine Vollgraff Heidweiller
• James Goeders

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In this special bonus episode, building on our Reimagining Telecoms mini-series, we dive into the current opportunities shaping today’s dynamic telco landscape.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Vivek Badrinath,  Director General of the GSMA about the current opportunities shaping today’s dynamic telco landscape and the role of GSMA.

TLDR:

• 01:38 Introduction to Vivek and the bonus episode
• 03:48 In-depth conversation with Vivek Badrinath
• 42:13 Can empathy become a strategic KPI in telecom?
• 47:20 Event in Uzbekistan and doubling down on the digital ecosystem

Guest:

• Vivek Badrinath

Telco Production:

• Praveen Shankar

[AAA] In ‘Access All Areas’ shows we go behind the scenes with the crew and their friends as they dive into complex challenges that organizations face—sometimes getting a little messy along the way.

This week, we address the ‘big rocks’ that can obstruct or delay successful outcomes in organizational transformations. Dave, Esmee, and Rob are joined by Jasmin Booth, Head of Product Delivery to discuss the transformation to being a (digital) product based organization.

TLDR:

• 05:22 Access All Areas: This third episode focuses on the products we build that drive outcomes.
• 06:52 Conversation with Jasmin about our digital products
• 37:06 What makes it better to be in a product centric organization?
• 54:00 Conclusion of the seven Big Rocks and how to smash them
• 59:00 Going on the Blue Bell railway

Guest:

• Jasmin Booth

Every organization is built on people, structures, and culture. But culture isn’t static—it evolves with every interaction, ambition, and shift in circumstance. As IT drives business transformation, new technologies reshape how people connect and collaborate. In this ever-changing landscape, a strong, adaptive culture is the key to lasting success.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Jitske Kramer, Corporate Anthropologist about what technology is doing to cultures and human systems and how AI can mess with the narrative.

TLDR:

• 00:50 Introduction of Jitske Kramer and her book Navigating Tricky Times
• 02:05 Rob shares his confusion about saying “thank you” to AI
• 07:25 In-depth conversation with Jitske Kramer
• 11:30 Visual communication via tattoos even at AWS re:Invent
• 25:00 Corporate framing and what’s going on within organizations today
• 46:22  Exploring the contrast between the natural pace of human transformation and the rapid acceleration of technology
• 54:14 Editing the documentary Patterns of Life
• 55:56 Esmee’s 2x Outro speed surprises everyone!

Guest:

• Jitske Kramer

Related readings:

• Tricky Times event

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In a new five-part mini-series, Reimagining Telecoms, we will explore these challenges through five distinct lenses: Growth, Networks, Simplification, Data & AI, and Regulation, uncovering lessons and insights relevant to telecom organizations and beyond.

This week, in the final episode of the mini-series, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Nik Willetts, CEO of TM Forum, to discuss growth—the telco industry’s biggest challenge—and how it intersects with Hyperscalers, innovation, and shaping the industry’s future.

To understand the pathways to growth, join our telecom leaders at TM Forum’s DTW Ignite (Digital Transformation World), June 17-19 in Copenhagen: https://www.capgemini.com/news/events/dtw-ignite/

TLDR:

• 01:05 Introduction of Nik and an update on the mini-series
• 03:41 Main conversation with Nik Willetts
• 29:10 Navigating the balance between collaboration and competition
• 34:57 Looking ahead to DTW Ignite, the Dolomites, and Brunello wine, served by sommelier Rob

Guest:

• Nik Willetts

Telco Producer:

• Praveen Shankar

[AAA] In ‘Access All Areas’ shows we go behind the scenes with the crew and their friends as they dive into complex challenges that organisations face—sometimes getting a little messy along the way.

This week, in what may or may not be our 100th episode, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to James Wilson, AI Ethicist and Lead Gen AI Architect and Philip Harker, Advisory Lead, Insights and Data at Capgemini UK, about exploring the deep importance of ethics as we move forward into the intelligence age.

TLDR:

• 00:42 Is this really our 100th episode or not?
• 04:38 What is a team AAA episode and welcoming James and Philip
• 06:12 Rob sets the stage, why AI Ethics matters
• 09:42 In-depth chat with James and Philip
• 59:11 Exploring AI and quantum as innovation boosters
• 1:06:00 A quiet weekend and Safe AI for Kids

Guests:

• James Wilson
• Philip Harker

Understanding the true environmental cost of digital innovation is crucial for governments aiming to embed sustainability into their digital delivery processes. Governments are embedding sustainability into the heart of digital delivery. Can governments ensure that their digital advancements contribute positively to the environment while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness in their services?

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Liam Walsh, Chief Architect, and Paul Mukherjee, CTO at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to explore how the UK government is embedding sustainability into the heart of digital delivery—and holding tech suppliers accountable.

TLDR:

• 00:32 Introduction of Liam Walsh and Paul Mukherjee
• 01:47 Not Rob is confused but Marcel is struggling with the slow pace of AI implementation
• 05:50 Conversation with Liam and Paul about embedding sustainability in the government
• 31:17 How important are Fusion Team for delivering real digital and organizational impact

Guests:

• Liam Walsh
• Paul Mukherjee

At Knowledge 2025, the spotlight is on big announcements and bold innovations—but we’re taking you behind the scene!. 

In this two-part special, we dive into the engine driving ServiceNow’s evolution, with exclusive conversations you won’t hear on the main stage.

In Part 2, Dave, Esmee, and Rob speak with Amanda Joslin, Senior Director of Platform and AI Innovation Product Management at ServiceNow, about the latest announcements from Knowledge 2025. They discuss how AI is being embedded directly into workflows and customer experiences through proactive, intelligent automation.

TLDR:

• 02:09 Introduction of Amanda Joslin and Knowledge 2025
• 02:48 Rob is confused about seating at large conferences
• 09:45 Conversation with Amanda Joslin on the main announcements at Knowledge 2025 and the ServiceNow platform
• 52:20 Kill the Backlog and moving toward a zero-backlog operating model
• 57:32 Jamaica, sunshine, and the sea

Guest:

Amanda Joslin

At Knowledge 2025, the spotlight is on big announcements and bold innovations—but we’re taking you behind the scene!. 

In this two-part special, we dive into the engine driving ServiceNow’s evolution, with exclusive conversations you won’t hear on the main stage.

In Part 1, Dave, Esmee, and Rob sit down with Karel van der Poel, SVP of Products at ServiceNow, to reflect on a decade of growth. They explore what it really takes to drive meaningful innovation—not just scattered ideas, but a clear vision, the ability to scale, and a focus on lasting impact.

TLDR:

• 00:54 Welcome to Knowledge 2025: Inside ServiceNow’s flagship conference
• 05:30 Rob is confused about the tension between Big Tech, Big Government, and Innovation
• 12:22 Conversation with Karel van der Poel, scaling innovation at ServiceNow
• 51:30 Designing trust and what it takes to build AI agents people rely on
• 59:40 From platforms to the open sea

Guest:

• Karel van der Poel

TechnoVision 2025 by Capgemini helps business leaders and technologists understand and prioritize emerging technologies. It provides a clear view of tech trends, guiding decision-makers to enhance organizational effectiveness. TechnoVision acts as a beacon in the evolving technology landscape.

In this very special episode, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk in detail with the Capgemini Data-Powered Innovation Jam podcast team, featuring Ron Tolido, CTO and CIO Insight & Data Global; Weiwei Feng, Global Tech Lead AI & Generative AI; and Robert Engels, Head Global AI Lab. They explore the seven containers in TechnoVision 2025, which organizes current trends into distinct areas that shape how businesses will innovate, operate, and expand.

TLDR:

• 00:50 Teaming between the Cloud Realties hosts and the Data-Powered Innovation Jam podcast team
• 05:52 Introduction by Ron Tolido and what’s new in TechnoVision 2025 and the 7 main containers
• 12:25 Invisible Infostructure by Rob Kernahan
• 21:32 Applications Unleashed by Ron Tolido
• 37:30 Thriving on Data by Robert “Dr. Bob” Engels
• 47:36 Process on the Fly by Weiwei Feng
• 1:02:40 We Collaborate by Dave Chapman
• 1:13:27 You Experience by Esmee van de Giessen
• 1:26:39 Balance by Design by Ron Tolido
• 1:28:06 Overall conclusion

Guests:

• Ron Tolido
• Robert (Dr. Bob) Engels
• Weiwei Feng

Related readings:

• Data-Powered Innovation Jam podcast
• TechnoVision 2025

This year is the year that AI moves from the individual assistant to the collective and autonomous – from co-pilots to agent to agent integration.  But what do we know of its collective impact and how does humanity fit in?

This week’s Easter Special, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Anders Indset, about his work (Ex Machina and the Singularity Paradox), capability of infinite progress, humane capitalism, where might the human find themselves in an AGI world and does the intersection of quantum and AI make the chance of us living in a simulation more likely…

TLDR:

• 01:34 Introduction of Anders Indset
• 03:50 Rob is confused about hackers starting to create saleable products
• 08:12 Conversation with Anders Indset
• 49:50 Who do we see as future leaders in our team?
• 59:15 Conference in Austria about values in Europe and the future of Europe

We’re hopping away for Easter! We’ll be back on May 1st, so don’t egg-spect us until then! 

Guest:

• Anders Indset

Books:

• Singularity Paradox – Bridging the Gap Between Humanity & AI
• EX MACHINA – The God Experiment
• The Viking Code – The Art and Science of Norwegian Success

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the last day, we have two separate episodes lined up to explore how AI is affecting the macro scale and impacting leadership transformation.

In the last conversation of the event, Dave, Andy, and Rob talk with Lee Moore, VP Global Google Cloud Consulting at Google Cloud about Leading Cloud Transformation with Strategic Vision.

TLDR:

• 00:50 Introduction of Lee Moore
• 07:00 Final key announcements from the Google Cloud Next Keynote
• 11:05 Main conversation with Lee Moore about cloud and AI-driven transformation and Intentional leadership
• 36:31 Who’s your favorite magician and tying all the magic together of a fantastic week!!

Guest:

• Lee Moore

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the last day, we have two separate episodes lined up to explore how AI is affecting the macro scale and impacting leadership transformation.

In this conversation, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk with Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director, NA GSI Leader at Google Cloud about The shifting landscape of Digital and AI technologies among Fortune 500 companies.

TLDR:

• 00:20 Introduction of Gina Fratarcangeli
• 03:20 Key announcements from the Google Cloud Next Keynote
• 05:56 Main conversation with Gina Fratarcangeli about Fortune 500 companies and their journey towards digital transformation and AI
• 22:01 Who’s your favorite magician?

Guest:

• Gina Fratarcangeli

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the second day, we have three separate episodes lined up to deep dive into industries such as insurance, telecom, and retail, all linked to GenAI, data, and innovation.

In this conversation, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk with Jen Hawes-Hewitt, Head of Global Solution Partner Programs, Global Telecom Industry at Google Cloud about Accelerating Innovation in Telecom with AI and GenAI.

TLDR:

• 01:04 Introduction of Jen Hawes-Hewitt and co-host Andy Appleby
• 04:06 Key announcements from the Google Cloud Next Keynote
• 09:39 Main conversation with Jen Hawes-Hewitt
• 31:58 Who’s your favorite magician?

Guest:

• Jen Hawes-Hewitt

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the second day, we have three separate episodes lined up to deep dive into industries such as insurance, telecom, and retail, all linked to GenAI, data, and innovation.

In this conversation, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk with Kapil Dabi, America’s Director & Market Lead, Retail at Google Cloud about Unlocking Retail Potential with AI and Data. 

TLDR:

• 00:24 Introduction of Kapil Dabi
• 03:00 Key announcements from the Google Cloud Next Keynote and Retail market strategies
• 09:50 Main conversation with Kapil Dabi about how to unlock retail potential with AI and Data
• 26:10 Who’s your favorite magician?

Guest:

• Kapil Dabi

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the second day, we have three separate episodes lined up to deep dive into industries such as insurance, telecom, and retail, all linked to AI, data, and innovation.

In this conversation, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk with Meg Tucker, Director of Insurance at Google Cloud about Fueling Insurance Evolution with AI.

TLDR:

• 00:26 Introduction of Meg Tucker
• 02:36 Key announcements from the Google Cloud Next Keynote
• 07:26 Main conversation with Meg Tucker about the Insurance Evolution based on AI
• 29:30 Who’s your favorite magician?

Guest:

• Meg Tucker

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the first day, we have 3 separate episodes lined up to discuss Google AI strategy & vision, practical implementations, and exciting use cases.

In the third conversation, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk with Jim Anderson, VP, NA Partner Ecosystem & Channels at Google, on how customers are using Cloud, AI/ML, and Data Analytics to power digital transformation. From real-world success stories to the trends shaping the year ahead—this one’s packed with actionable insights.

TLDR:

• 00:23 Introduction of Jim Anderson
• 04:17 Key announcements from the Google Cloud Next Keynote
• 06:44 Main conversation with Jim Anderson about Driving Digital Transformation with Customers
• 24:50 Who’s your favorite magician?

Guest:

• Jim Anderson

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The Cloud Realities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring Google guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the first day, we have 3 separate episodes lined up to discuss Google AI strategy & vision, practical implementations, and exciting use cases.

In the second conversation, Dave, Esmee, and Rob, talk with Charlotte Gistelinck, Machine Learning / AI Partner Engineer at Google, on how strategic thinking and visioning in AI/ML are key to driving innovation and long-term success.

TLDR:

• Charlotte Gistelinck

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas… but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the first day, we have 3 separate episodes lined up to discuss Google AI strategy & vision, practical implementations, and exciting use cases.

Dave, Esmee, and Rob kick off with Saurabh Tiwary, VP, General Manager, Cloud AI at Google Cloud, about Leading AI Innovation for Enterprise Solutions, to solve complex enterprise challenges and deliver true business value.

TLDR:

• 00:22 We’re back in Vegas, here’s what to expect in the coming days
• 01:43 Introduction of Saurabh Tiwary and the David Copperfield show
• 05:14 Discussion on Google Cloud Next themes this week with special guest James Goeders, Head of Product, Google Quantum AI
• 12:10 Main conversation on Cloud AI with Saurabh Tiwary
• 37:28 Who’s your favorite magician?

Guest:

• Saurabh Tiwary

As organizations increasingly integrate Gen AI into their operations, it’s crucial to consider the technology’s environmental impact. However, only 12% of executives report that their organizations measure Gen AI’s footprint, and just 20% prioritize its environmental footprint among the top five factors when choosing or developing models. Despite this, Gen AI’s ability to rapidly process large volumes of data helps organizations improve customer experience, optimize operations, drive growth, and foster innovation.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Lewis Richards, Microsoft Chief Sustainability Officer, UK about the pivotal shift in global sustainability perspectives, the challenges of fostering meaningful conversations in the digital world and strategies to enhance human understanding of technology and its impacts.

TLDR:

• 04:10 Rob is confused about shaky user interface design
• 07:26 Sustainability conversation with Lewis Richards
• 43:15 What would a digital waste constellation look like?
• 49:50 Training for a High Rock fitness race

Guest:

• Lewis Richards

Developing sustainable Gen AI, Report from the Capgemini Research Institute

AI and Generative AI are transforming cybersecurity by enhancing threat detection and response. These technologies offer unmatched accuracy and efficiency, making them crucial for protecting sensitive data. As cyber threats evolve, integrating AI into security strategies is essential.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Corence Klop, CISO at the Rabobank, about the expanding role of AI and Generative AI in cybersecurity, and how to begin integrating these technologies into your organization.

TLDR:

• 04:45 Rob is confused about wrong AI information for a hotel booking
• 08:20 Conversation with Corence
• 33:40 How can you identify the state of flow for your end-user in agile practices?
• 40:50 Going to the swimming pool and disco with your daughter

Guest:

• Corence Klop

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In a new five-part mini-series, Reimagining Telecoms, we will explore these challenges through five distinct lenses: Growth, Networks, Simplification, Data & AI, and Regulation, uncovering lessons and insights relevant to telecom organizations and beyond.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Osman Peermamode, Director, Data & Analytics at Vodafone Group about data and how can it act as a differentiator and does regulation both help or hinder that progress?

TLDR:

• 01:50 Update on Reimagining Telecoms mini-series
• 03:30  Main conversation with Osman Peermamode
• 34:00 AI in other industries and owns the intelligence? 
• 43:55 May dashboard rest in peace

Guest:

• Osman Peermamode

In the complex technology landscape, getting the people right is crucial for success. When the right team is in place, the technology will naturally follow, leading to impactful outcomes. Building a strong team ensures that the organization can navigate challenges and leverage technological advancements effectively.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Amy Williams, Managing Director, Cloud Services Product Lead at Barclays about the importance of good leadership and why is it important in today’s Cloud landscape.

TLDR:

• 04:43 Rob is confused about train information at stations
• 08:30 Conversation with Amy Williams
• 43:32 Polarity Management and The Leadership Perspective Shift
• 51:15 Running the 10K faster and continuing with great work within the team

Guest:

• Amy Williams

We are live from #MWC25 (Mobile World Congress 2025), direct from the Expo floor, with a limited series of episodes talking to leaders from across the industry on themes of the conference, as well as filling in on all of the news and gossip.

On the conference’s final day, Dave, Esmee, and Rob will deep dive into the near future, concluding the event with discussions on a moon landing and global (space) connectivity between partners and vendors.

• Oliver Buschmann, VP, Head of Strategy at Ericsson
• Round table discussion with Heather Tulk, President Commercial and Public Sector from Telus, Thierry Klein President, Bell Labs Solutions Research, and Ashish Surti Chief Digital & Information Officer at Colt Technology Services

TLDR:

• 00:33 Evaluation of day 2 and expectations of day 3 – it’s all about collaboration
• 08:47 Conversation with Oliver Buschmann about the future and strategy of Telcom’s
• 37:56 C-level round table discussion about grow beyond connectivity, data and AI and the importance of cybersecurity vs new trends
• 1:22:50 Overall MWC reflections by the team including the Tapas and Sapas framework®

Guests:

• Heather Tulk
• Thierry Klein
• Ashish Surti

Guest host:

• Praveen Shankar

We are live from #MWC25 (Mobile World Congress 2025), direct from the Expo floor, with a limited series of episodes talking to leaders from across the industry on themes of the conference, as well as filling in on all of the news and gossip.

On the second day of the conference, Dave, Esmee, and Rob had very exciting conversations about AI trends with:

• Chris Penrose, Global VP for Business Development for Telcos at NVIDIA
• Kaaren Hilsen, Head of AI Factory at Telenor

TLDR:

• 00:37: Evaluation of day 1 and expectations of day 2 – it’s all about AI and the future
• 6:03: Conversation with Chris Penrose about NVIDIA partnerships and trends
• 42:25: Conversation with Kaaren Hilsen about setting up the AI factory
• 1:11:20 Reflections on day 2 by the team

Guest:

• Chris Penrose
• Kaaren Hilsen

We are live from #MWC25 (Mobile World Congress 2025), direct from the Expo floor, with a limited series of episodes talking to leaders from across the industry on themes of the conference, as well as filling in on all of the news and gossip.

Dave, Esmee and Rob set out the main themes of the Conference and have an exciting conversation with:

• Ahmad Latif Ali, Associate VP EMEA Telecommunicationa at Insights, Analyst at IDC
• Tobias Larsson, B2B Head of Telia

TLDR:

• 00:35 Welcome back at MWC in Barcelona!
• 08:35 Conversation with Ahmad Latif Ali about the 5 trends
• 49:00 Coversation with Tobias Larssson
• 1:10:12 Conclusion Day 1

Guest:

• Ahmad Latif Ali
• Tobias Larsson

Sovereign AI is to become a cornerstone of national strategies, enabling countries to develop their own AI infrastructure and capabilities, thereby enhancing strategic resilience and fostering innovation, it will also play a crucial role in sectors such as healthcare and finance, driving advancements and improving security in an increasingly interconnected world.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Chris Stokel-Walker, Journalist, author and communicator specializing in tech, AI, and digital culture (including YouTube and TikTok) about the notion of sovereign AI and how that might develop as part of the AI world going forward.

TLDR:

• 04:50 Rob is confused about Net Neutrality
• 08:40 Cloud conversation with Chris Stokel-Walker
• 45:42 Superintelligence and how the public and policymakers understand and react to technology 
• 54:50 Going to an art exhibition opening and e-textiles 

Guest:

• Chris Stokel-Walker

Every organization is built on people, structures, and culture. But culture isn’t static—it evolves with every interaction, ambition, and shift in circumstance. As IT drives business transformation, new technologies reshape how people connect and collaborate. In this ever-changing landscape, a strong, adaptive culture is the key to lasting success.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Jitske Kramer, Corporate Anthropologist about what is a culture, where does it come from, what does change mean and what we go through when transformation happens to people.

TLDR:

• 02:00 Rob is confused about AI models and DeepSeek
• 09:42 Cloud conversation with Jitske Kramer
• 48:15 Are we creating a digital environment where ‘free will’ gradually fades away?
• 56:30 Finally we found a great restaurant and Patterns of Life documentary

Guest:

• Jitske Kramer

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In a new five-part mini-series, Reimagining Telecoms, we will explore these challenges through five distinct lenses: Growth, Networks, Simplification, Data & AI, and Regulation, uncovering lessons and insights relevant to telecom organizations and beyond.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Mallikarjuna Rao, Chief Technology & Enterprise Business Office at Telefonica about the backbone of the industry—the network—and its transformation. What challenges lie ahead and what does the future hold?

‘Reimagining Telecoms‘ Episodes 4 and 5 will be available in the week of February 24.

TLDR:

• 02:31 Update on Reimagining Telecoms mini-series
• 05:00 Main conversation with Mallik Rao
• 39:04 Esmee sets up her own mesh network at home
• 45:39 New job and running the business

Guest:

• Mallikarjuna Rao

Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. Culture shapes how teams adapt, collaborate, and drive change, but it also determines whether transformation efforts truly take root. Mindset, leadership, and shared values are the real catalysts for lasting success.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Alex Alves Global IT director Business Architecture at Unilever, about the hidden role of culture in driving transformation success.

 TLDR:

•  02:00 Rob is confused about Techno Platform Feudalism
•  06:40 Cloud conversation with Alex Alves
•  48:35 Research about raising AI as a child  
•  58:10 Starting an applied research PhD (UCL, the AI Lead department in Europe with two Nobel Prizes) and that this is an example of “intrapreneurship” in Unilever. Science as an Innovation lever. 

Guest:

• Alexandre Alves

[AAA] In ‘Access All Areas’ shows we go behind the scenes with the crew and their friends as they dive into complex challenges that organizations face—sometimes getting a little messy along the way.

This week, we address the ‘big rocks’ that can obstruct or delay successful outcomes in organizational transformations. Dave, Esmee, and Rob are joined by Jez Back, Cloud Leader, and Chris Dudgeon, VP Commercial Finance, to discuss these challenges—focusing on why cloud transformation programs sometimes fail to deliver their value and the economic realities surrounding them.

TLDR:

• 01:09 Access All Areas
• 03:29 The financial boulders that can block your path for success
• 05:52 Conversation with Jez and Chris
• 29:30 Cloud operational and the next steps
• 50:25 End of dry January and diner with Rob

Guest:

• Jez Back
• Chris Dudgeon

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In a new five-part mini-series, Reimagining Telecoms, we will explore these challenges through five distinct lenses: Growth, Networks, Simplification, Data & AI, and Regulation, uncovering lessons and insights relevant to telecom organizations and beyond.

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob speak with Ashish Surti, EVP and Chief Digital & Information Officer at Colt Technology Services, about whether regulations can provide a strategic advantage in cybersecurity and sustainability.

‘Reimagining Telecoms‘ Episodes 3 – 5 will be available in the coming 2 weeks.

TLDR:

• 00:58 Update on ‘Reimaging Telecoms’ mini-series
• 05:38 Main conversation with Ashish Surti
• 31:40 Is Europe lagging behind in Cybersecurity?
• 42:25 Creating car models and investing in technology stack

Guest:

• Ashish Surti

Organizational ‘purpose’ can set out a North Star that can create directional alignment, which is especially important in organizations with deep empowerment.  But are purpose statements merely platitudes on a flip chart, or should the focus shift to genuine stories, meaningful patterns, and tangible actions? 

Returning from their festive slumber, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Dave Snowden, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, The Cynefin Centre about purpose, why it may not help, what the alternatives might be and how to have a listening for the ‘micro-narratives’ in your organization.

TLDR:

• 00:50 Back from the Christmas break!
• 05:42 Exploring organizational purpose with Dave Snowden
• 1:00:20 Discovering personal purpose through Ikigai
• 1:07:55 Celebrating a 21st anniversary and the Children of the World Project

Guest:

• Dave Snowden

IT’S CHRIIIIIISTMAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!

The last couple of years we have seen an increasing cadence of tech innovation, but scaled adoption held back by economic headwinds and incomplete technology suites – at the end of the year, it seems like a good time to reflect and cast forward a bit…

In this weeks festive episode of the show, Dave, Esmee and Rob along with friend of the show, Gene Kim, author of the Phoenix Project and Wiring the Winning Organization, have a relaxed mull over the trends in AI and Cloud for 2025, what they are excited about for the coming year, sunny Christmas time and cooking the perfect turkey.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very Happy and Healthy New Year to all our guests and listeners! Thank you for sharing your time with us this year—we look forward to seeing you at the end of January!

TLDR:

• 00:53 Cruising and why don’t people use meat probes?
• 11:00 Cloud conversation with Gene Kim
• 1:15:08 Excited about 2025!

Guest:

• Gene Kim

There is huge potential for the leverage of data (and AI) to provide the most modern Citizen digital experiences, but that has to be balanced with managing deep legacy challenges and, of course, security risk.

In a special episode this week, Dave and Rob talk to Craig Suckling, UK Government Chief Data Officer about modern public services, the challenges and opportunities in unleashing data in a safe and secure way, how AI fits into all of this and how Governments can lead the way in secure and ethical AI implementation.

TLDR:

• 01:56 The Chief Software Officer?!
• 05:40 Cloud conversation with Craig Suckling
• 57:55 Christmas with the kids and Lego!

Guest:

• Craig Suckling

Live from the Expo floor in Las Vegas, we’re bringing you a special limited series of episodes on AWS re:Invent 2025. Join us as we check in with AWS and take an industry temperature check.  Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip from the Strip.

On day three of the conference Dave and Rob talk to:

• Max Peterson, VP Sovereign Cloud about Innovation in Sovereign Cloud
• Erik Farr, MD Solution Architecture about Cloud Maturity

also Rob Easton from AWS, drops in to help us round up the show – what were our big takeaways and which Casino Bar triumphed in Rob’s rigorous exploration?!

TLDR:

• 00:30 Main announcements at AWS re:Invent 2024 by the team
• 07:25 Sovereign Cloud with Max Peterson
• 32:19 Cloud Maturity with Erik Farr
• 54:23 Final conclusion and goodbye to Las Vegas and AWS re:Invent 2024

Guest:

• Max Peterson
• Erik Farr
• Rob Easton

Live from the Yardbird in Las Vegas, we’re bringing you a special limited series of episodes from AWS re:Invent 2025. Join us as we check in with AWS and take an industry temperature check.  Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip from the Strip.

On the second packed day of the conference Dave and Rob talk about vertical adoption of Cloud, and how it is being adopted to drive industry innovation, with:

• Ozgur Tohumcu, GM Automotive & Manufacturing about Innovation in the Automotive Industry
• Rachel Skaff, MD North America Partner & Channel Sales all Industries, about Transforming the Industries

plus Databricks drop by to talk about Data Swamps in Public Sector!

TLDR:

• 01:11 Setting the scene for Day 2 by the team
• 08:48 Transforming the Industries with Rachel Skaff
• 38:24  Innovation in the Automotive Industry with Ozgur Tohumcu
• 1:03:56 Data Swamps with Databricks
• 1:17:40 Reflections on Day 2 by the team

Guests:

• Ozgur Tohumcu
• Rachel Skaff

Live from the Yardbird in Las Vegas, we’re bringing you a special limited series of episodes on AWS re:Invent 2025. Join us as we check in with AWS and take an industry temperature check.  Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip from the Strip.

In a packed show on day one of the conference, Dave and Rob first chat about expectations for re:Invent this year and the main Keynote announcements.

Then they talk to:

• Rahul Sareen, Global Head Cross Industry about state of sustainable tech
• Melissa Dougherty, MD Global Partner Sales, Financial Services about the future of FS
• also, Matt Gillard, ‘Cloud Dialogues’ and Paul Mukherjee and Liam Walsh, UK Gov Defra, drop in to say hello.

TLDR:

• 00:38 Setting the scene and emerging themes AWS re:Invent 2024 by the team and Matt Gillard
• 14:38 State of sustainable tech with Rahul Sareen
• 33:35 The future of FS with Melissa Dougherty
• 1:01:44 Drop In with Liam Walsh and Paul Mukherjee

Guests:

• Rahul Sareen
• Melissa Dougherty
• Matt Gillard
• Paul Mukerjee
• Liam Walsh

Agentic intelligence will enable unprecedented levels of automation, it is a next step on from what has been possible for a number of years.  Is it now possible to automate 80% of IT tasks?

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Johan Sporre Lennberg, Vice President Cloud Service at Ericsson about how Hyper Automation is possible, to what extent and the best way to go after it in IT.

TLDR:

• 01:35 Confusion about AI Ethos
• 06:28 Cloud Conversation with Johan Sporre
• 46:00 Showcasing value
• 54:40 Riding in the season’s first snowfall!

Guest:

• Johan Sporre Lennberg

Live from the heart of Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago, right from the Expo floor, we’re bringing you a special limited series of episodes.

Join us as we make connections between Microsoft, Azure AI and Data, Security, Industry, Development Community and customer experience. Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

 On day three of the conference Dave and Rob talk to:

• Kathleen Mitford, CVP Global Industry Marketing about Industry AI Transformation.
• Irina Nechaeva, GM Identity & Access about the State of the Nation on IaM management.
• Marco Casalaina, VP Azure AI about Democratization of AI

TLDR:

• 00:40 The four main themes from Microsoft Ignite’24
• 09:59 Industry meets AI Transformation with Kathleen Mitford
• 40:47 IaM management meets AI with Irina Nechaeva
• 1:07:47 The future meets AI with Marco Casalaina
• 1:35:08 Final conclusion and goodbye to Chicago and Microsoft Ignite’24

Live from the heart of Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago, we’re bringing you three daily episodes. Join us as we make connections between Microsoft, Azure AI and Data, Security, Industry, Development Community and customer experience. Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

 On day two of the conference Dave and Rob talk to:

• Rudra Mitra, CVP Purview about Data Security in the Age of AI
• Sarah Bird, CPO for Responsible AI and Yina Arenas, VP, AI Foundry about Embedding Ethics in AI Innovation & the newly announced Foundry
• Scott Hanselman, VP Developer Community about Empowering Developers with AI

TLDR:

• 00:32 Bar in the Clouds and observation from Microsoft Ignite
• 08:44 Data Security meets AI with Rudra Mitra
• 33:30 Ethics and Foundry meets AI with Dr. Sarah Bird and Yina Arenas
• 1:04:28 Developers meets AI with Scott Hanselman
• 1:34:13 Conclusion of Day 2 and what will Day 3 bring?

Guest:

• Rudra Mitra
• Dr. Sarah Bird
• Yina Arenas
• Scott Hanselman

Live from the heart of Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago, we’re bringing you three daily episodes. Join us as we make connections between Microsoft, Azure AI and Data, Security, Industry, Development Community and customer experience. Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip. 

On day one of the conference Dave and Rob first chat with friend of the show Steve Webb about the main Keynote announcements by Satya Nadella, Ignite itself and the critical topic of Chicago pizza.

Then they talk to Arun Ulag, CVP Azure Data, Microsoft, about the importance of Data in the AI landscape.

TLDR:

• 00:40 Main announcements at Microsoft Ignite 2024 by the team
• 19:40 Azure Data meets AI with Arun Ulag

Guest:

• Arun Ulag

In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, understanding your organisations legal position on AI is critical. As it continues to advance, so do the complexities around data protection, intellectual property, and ethical use and regulation is struggling to keep up.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Jagvinder Singh Kang, Partner at International & UK Head of IT Law at Mills& Reeve about how businesses and individuals are navigating leveraging AI’s potential while staying within legal and ethical boundaries, including the current state of GenAI regulation, the relevance of the EU AI Act and the evolving legal landscape.

TLDR:

• 02:25 Should we just give up and embrace the algorithm?
• 07:43 Cloud conversation with Jagvinder
• 41:03 The overwhelming pace of technological change for elders
• 48:17 Great movies and preparing for a major GenAI event!

Guest:

• Jagvinder Singh Kang

As more people are displaced by war, economic instability, and a warming planet, more countries are turning to AI-driven technology to “manage” the influx.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Petra Molnar, Harvard Faculty Associate and Author of ‘The Walls Have Eyes’ about how tech is being deployed at borders, how it is impacting communities and how innovation could be used for good.

TLDR:

• 02:01  Confused about whether we learn from disasters
• 06:00 Cloud conversation with Petra Molnar
• 36:05 Research about the state of AI narratives and the perceived “story crisis”
• 41:35 Walking with a real dog in the park!

Resources:

• The Walls Have Eyes

Guest:

• Petra Molnar

[AAA] In ‘Access All Areas’ shows we go behind the scenes with the crew and their friends as they try to unpick some issue or other.  It might get a bit messy.

This week, sometimes ‘big rocks’ exist in organizations and transformations that prevent or slow down getting to successful outcomes.  Dave, Esmee and Rob are joined by, Georgia Smith, Cloud Transformation Leader, to talk about the ‘big rocks’ visible in Cloud transformations, focusing on culture and governance, including the glorious messiness of cultural change, the ineffectiveness of bottom up change management, how to create effective adaptive governance during transformation and the importance of spa days.

Please get in touch with us, via LinkedIn or cloudrealities@capgemini.com, if you have questions or challenges for us, we’d love to hear from you!

TLDR:

•  00:38 Its a new show variant!
•  01:12 Cloud conversation
•  49:02 What are the crew excited about doing next?

Useful links:

• Podcast Cloud Dialogues

As AI scales and layered agents become more integrated, businesses face questions about just how automated they can become and what this means for efficiency, cost, and innovation.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Nicole Onuta, AI business transformation expert about the growing impact of generative AI on the software development lifecycle (SDLC), diving into both the opportunities and challenges that arise, how AI scales in an organisation and how hyper-automation is fast becoming a practical reality.

TLDR:

• 04:40 Confused about whether frictionless CX can be too frictionless
• 07:54 Cloud conversation with Nicole Onuta
• 34:57 The Eliza bot in 1966
• 43:08 AI execution!

Guest:

• Nicole Onuta

Resources:

• Turbocharging Software with Gen AI

Today drones are a common sight from use in industrial and military settings to incredible swarming light shows.  They are often used for aerial data capture at scale, providing intelligence over wide and inhospitable areas.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Dario Valenza, founder of Carbonix, about the state of the art of drones, their role in intelligent industry platforms, what’s holding back flying cars and the relationship between Americas Cup Yachts and drones.

TLDR:

• 01:52 Confused about AI on the iPhone
• 07:32 Cloud conversation with Dario Valenza
• 33:56 Failure is a Feature of Learning
• 44:10 Growth of Carbonix

Guest:

• Dario Valenza

Ensuring your organization can quickly adapt to changing pressures is critical in today’s fast-moving market environments. However, many organizations are still structured with traditional hierarchies, which enable stable operations but can make change difficult.

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Tony McManus, Global Head of Enterprise Data and Index at Bloomberg, about tracking and responding to mega-trends, Bloomberg’s collaborative structure, supporting customers on their cloud journeys and how this helped prioritize Bloomberg’s Cloud strategy.

TLDR:

• 01:15 Confused about lost data and knowledge
• 05:05 Cloud conversation with Tony McManus, Bloomberg
• 38:10 Michael Porter’s five forces model
• 46:40 Going to Taipei!

Guest:

• Tony McManus

Enterprise Resource Planning software runs at the heart of the world’s largest organizations, helping to plan and operate companies, and underpinning the wave of globalization over the past 20 years. However, it too is about to evolve as the impact of GenAI deepens.

This week, Dave, and Rob talk to Miranda Nash, GVP Applications Development & Strategy, Fusion AI at Oracle, about focusing on not just PoC, but how you scale AI, the evolution of ERP software, the use of Agents to drive higher levels of automation and this years Oracle CloudWorld.  We also pick through the evolving jargon of AI in an attempt to demystify it.

TLDR:

• 01:15 Confused about reaching the zenith of non-functional requirements (and the word Zentih)
• 06:00 Cloud conversation with Miranda Nash
• 35:50 Demystifying AI
• 45:00 Dancing to Cuban music!

Guest:

• Miranda Nash

Off to a slower start than many sectors with Cloud transformation, due to regulation lag, Financial Services is now picking up pace.  With challenger banks moving into the sector and regulations have caught up, so its now not just about moving to Cloud, its about Cloud enabled business growth.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Pranati Dave, Practice Director @ Everest Group,

about the state of Cloud in FS, highlights from recent Everest research into Enterprise Maturity Models for Microsoft Business Applications and how these models can help accelerate digital change in your organization.

TLDR:

• 00:00 Chase glitch confusion
• 06:25 Cloud conversation with Pranati Dave
• 36:20 4 dimensions of Maturity
• 41:20  Family time!

Resources:

• Enterprise Maturity Model for Microsoft Business Applications in Financial Services
• https://www.everestgrp.com/reportaction/EGR-2024-31-V-6490/Marketing

Guest:

• Pranati Goswami Dave

We are back!  In this opening episode we meet our new host and chat about the exciting things coming in Season 4.

To provide a way in for new listeners, we also take a step back and discuss what we actually mean by ‘practical and exciting alternate realities that can be unleashed through Cloud-driven Transformation’, what reflections we have on this from looking at it

over the last three seasons and how this sets up Season 4.

Finally, we are very keen this season to establish a feedback loop with listeners, so will be doing shows exploring listener questions and challenges – something we are really looking forward to. 

Please get in touch with us, via LinkedIn or cloudrealities@capgemini.com, if you have questions or challenges for us, we’d love to hear from you!

TLDR:

• 00:45 Meeting Esmee!
• 10:50  What else is new in Season 4?
• 14:12  Exploring Cloud-driven transformation
• 27:19  Psychological safety in the workplace
• 33:30 What we’re excited about doing next in Season 4

‘Cloud Realities’ is an original podcast from Capgemini