Cloud Realities – the podcast series

Hello San Francisco – we’re arrived for Microsoft Ignite 2025!

The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed this week in San Francisco, we’re bringing you the best updates right from the heart of the event. Join us to connect AI at scale, cloud modernization, and secure innovation—empowering organizations to become AI-first.

Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

Dave, Esmee, and Rob wrap up their Ignite 2025 series with Yina Arenas, CVP of Microsoft Foundry, to discuss why Foundry is the go-to choice for enterprises and how it champions responsible development and innovation.

TLDR:

• 00:40 – Introduction to Yina Arenas
• 01:14 – How the team is doing, keynote highlights, and insights from the Expo floor
• 02:50 – Deep dive with Yina on the evolution of Cloud Foundry
• 29:24 – Favourite IT-themed movie, human interaction, and our society
• 31:56 – Personal (and slightly juicy) reflections on the week
• 37:30 – Team reflections on Ignite 2025, including an executive summary per guest and appreciation for Dennis Hansen
• 50:54 – The team’s favorite IT-themed movies
• 59:30 – Personal favorite restaurant

Guest:

• Yina Arenas

Hello San Francisco – we’re arrived for Microsoft Ignite 2025!

The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed this week in San Francisco, we’re bringing you the best updates right from the heart of the event. Join us to connect AI at scale, cloud modernization, and secure innovation—empowering organizations to become AI-first.

Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

Dave, Esmee, and Rob continue their conversation with Alistair Speirs, GM of Global Infrastructure for Microsoft’s Azure Business Group, exploring how to build and scale the AI and Cloud datacenters of the future worldwide—while also addressing sovereignty requirements.

TLDR:

• 00:40 – Introduction to Alistair Speirs
• 04:42 – Keynote highlights and Expo floor insights
• 06:50 – Deep dive conversation with Alistair
• 36:36 – Favorite IT-themed movie, using your brain as compute storage, and why people still matter

Guest:

• Alistair Speirs

Hello San Francisco – we’re arrived for Microsoft Ignite 2025!

The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed this week in San Francisco, we’re bringing you the best updates right from the heart of the event. Join us to connect AI at scale, cloud modernization, and secure innovation—empowering organizations to become AI-first.

Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

Dave, Esmee and Rob, continue their discussion with John Link, Partner Product Manager at Microsoft, exploring Frontier organizations and how AI and quantum are reshaping R&D, all within the context of Microsoft Discovery.

TLDR:

• 00:58 – Introduction to John Link (and some fun food spellings)
• 03:55 – Keynote highlights and Expo floor insights
• 05:53 – Deep dive conversation with John
• 24:14 – Favorite IT-themed movie, thoughts on brain implants, and the simulation theory

Guest:

• John Link

Hello San Francisco – we’re arrived for Microsoft Ignite 2025!

The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed this week in San Francisco, we’re bringing you the best updates right from the heart of the event. Join us to connect AI at scale, cloud modernization, and secure innovation—empowering organizations to become AI-first.

Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

Dave and Esmee continue their conversation with Rob Lefferts, CVP Threat Protection about the key security announcements and explore how we leverage agents to protect, defend, and respond at AI speed.

TLDR:

• 00:50 – Introduction to Rob Lefferts
• 01:40 – Keynote highlights and insights from the Expo floor
• 03:19 – In-depth conversation with Rob on why security is critical in the era of AI
• 22:53 – Favorite IT-themed movie linked to the Asimov’s principles and the Louvre password

Guest:

• Rob Lefferts

Hello San Francisco – we’re arrived for Microsoft Ignite 2025!

The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed this week in San Francisco, we’re bringing you the best updates right from the heart of the event. Join us to connect AI at scale, cloud modernization, and secure innovation—empowering organizations to become AI-first. Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

Dave, Esmee, and Rob continue their conversation with Jonathan Hunt, CVP of Business Solutions at Microsoft, diving into the differences between AI-driven business solutions and traditional business applications, and exploring how customers can learn where—and how—to get started with AI.

TLDR:

• 00:35 – Introduction and conversation with Jonathan Hunt, plus updates from the event floor
• 22:15 – Favorite IT-themed movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger

Guest:

• Jonathan Hunt

Hello San Francisco – we’re arrived for Microsoft Ignite 2025!

The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed this week in San Francisco, we’re bringing you the best updates right from the heart of the event. Join us to connect AI at scale, cloud modernization, and secure innovation—empowering organizations to become AI-first.

Plus, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and juicy gossip.

Dave, Esmee and Rob kick off with Rob Cromwell, CVP of Engineering and explore the exciting evolution of Copilot and share insights on what’s coming next.

TLDR:

• 00:50 – Back in San Francisco
• 02:45 – Highlights from the first keynote
• 11:08 – Intro and chat with Rob Cromwell
• 30:40 – Tackling tech and authentication challenges
• 32:28 – Favorite IT-related film and a glimpse into the near future

Guest:

• Rob Cromwell

Digital intelligence is reshaping how organizations work, and success depends on integrating multiple domains, using real-time analytics, and ensuring strong cyber protections as data grows and risks increase

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk with Chris Carter, Director – Key Accounts and Australia at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, to explore the fast-moving world of digital intelligence, data, and analytics and dive into the complexities of the work, how rapidly the landscape is evolving, and the major challenges organizations face today.

TLDR:

• 00:41 Introduction of Chris Carter
• 03:00 Rob is confused by the idea of renting out brain capacity for compute power
• 07:13 Chris discusses the fusion of data, AI, and human judgment in complex environments
• 34:30 Are we giving enough attention to human cognitive capacity?
• 42:34 Rugby tickets with the family

Guest:

• Chris Carter

In this second episode of the special AI mini-series, we now explore the human side of transformation, where technology meets purpose and people remain at the center. From future jobs and critical thinking to working with C-level leaders, how human intervention and high-quality data drive success in an AI-powered world.

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Indhira Mani, CDO at Intact Insurance UK, about the Love for data, insights on leadership, resilience, and preparing the next generation for what’s next.

TLDR:

• 01:30 Introduction of Indhira Mani and Scotch whisky
• 05:45 Explaining the State of AI mini-series with Craig
• 07:12 Conversation with Indi about her boyfriend called Data
• 38:33 Umbrella Sharing in Japan and the trust on AI
• 45:15 The British Insurance Award and Women in Tech finalist 

Guest:

• Indhira Mani

Co-host:

• Craig Suckling

Technology can scale almost everything—except human experience. In a world driven by efficiency, what does it mean to design for how people truly feel? It’s about transforming user interactions into ongoing insight and innovation, rooted in empathy and understanding.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Kevin Magee, Chief Technology Officer at All human about helping organizations transform customer experiences with a focus on design, engineering, and what is called “digital performance.” 

TLDR:

• 00:41 Introduction of Kevin Magee with Guinness or sparkling water?
• 03:23 Rob wonders, is Apple really opening up its ecosystem?
• 11:40 Deep dive with Kevin into design, engineering, and digital performance
• 36:30 How tools built for one purpose can transform entire systems
• 48:35 Weekend city breaks and pursuing a master’s in psychology

Guest:

• Kevin Magee

The skills we teach today will decide the world we live in tomorrow but the digital skills gap is something we’ve been dealing with for decades, but it’s growing faster than ever, it starts with kids and stretches all the way into late IT careers, and now we’re finally taking a more connected, lifelong approach to closing it.

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob speak with Mike Nayler, Director, National Security, Defense & Public Safety at AWS about the digital skills gap and explore how tech companies can help close it. 

TLDR:

• 00:45 Introduction of Mike Nayler and the pros and cons of enterprise architects, based on a survey
• 03:30 Rob is confused about AI replacing prompt engineers
• 07:55 Conversation with Mike on the digital skills gap
• 25:15 The real gap is between institutions and the people they aim to serve
• 33:24 Mike heading back to school and writing essays again

Guest:

• Mike Nayler

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. 

We’re launching a special AI mini-series exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries. Each episode dives into key themes like scaling AI, societal impact, leadership, sustainability, and the challenges ahead. Join us for fresh insights and bold conversations on the future of intelligent systems. 

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob kick off the AI mini-series with Craig Suckling, CAIO at Capgemini and co-host of this special edition. The episode is inspired by “Riding the AI Whirlwind,” Gartner’s 2025 strategic predictions report, which urges organizations to act boldly on AI’s potential while managing risks like rising costs and privacy concerns 

TLDR:

• 00:40 – Introduction of Craig Suckling and launch of the AI mini-series
• 02:38 – Summary of three key insights and strategic recommendations from Gartner’s “Riding the AI Whirlwind” report
• 23:03 – Strategic planning assumptions: what they mean for business and tech leaders
• 41:40 – Sam Altman’s top three concerns about the future of AI
• 49:35 – What key topics remain unaddressed?
• 51:00 – What to expect from the AI mini-series featuring industry leaders

Co-Hosts:

• Craig Suckling

The evolving role of technology in modern defense environments, highlighting innovations in communications, automation, and open-source frameworks. Drawing from personal experience, the conversation emphasizes how real-world conflicts are reshaping how tech is deployed, adopted, and understood across military operations.

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob speak with Ben Sparke, Enterprise Azure Cloud & AI Specialist for UK Defence at Microsoft, about  how his military background informs a human-centered approach to technology in the evolving defence sector—highlighting the shift from mission-driven to tech-driven innovation.  

TLDR:

• 00:37 – Introduction of Ben Sparke and face-to-face podcasting
• 02:40 – Rob gets confused about Digital Twins representing you in court
• 08:15 – Tech’s evolving role in defence, with Ben 
• 34:41 – Why improvisation and human adaptability matter 
• 43:30 – Ben’s hundred-mile bike race over the weekend

Guest:

• Ben Sparke

Before Siri had sass and Alexa started judging your music taste, the original virtual assistant was quietly revolutionizing the ’90s—powered by many patents and a whole lot of foresight. Now, as AI goes from buzzword to boss, we ask, will it transform your job, your home… or just steal your knowledge? 

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob speak with Kevin Surace, Futurist, Inventor & “Father” of the Virtual Assistant, about exploring the evolution of AI, what the future might hold, and how disruptive innovation can shake up your organization in ways you might not expect.  

TLDR:

•  00:40 – Introduction of Kevin Surace
•  05:12 – Rob gets confused by Google Maps reviews and selfies
•  08:15 – Deep dive into the evolution of AI with Kevin
•  52:00 – How intelligent agents can help manage digital noise and support mental well-being
•  1:07:30 – Wrapping up the book the Joy Success Cycle and heading to a concert 

Guest:

• Kevin Surace

We’re back! In this Season 5 premiere, the team reunites after their summer break to kick off an exciting new chapter. Join us as we catch up, share bold predictions for the year ahead, and explore big questions, like whether 2026 will be the year of the autonomous organization. Expect candid reflections, lively discussion, and a sneak peek at what’s coming up this season. 

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, Substack or cloudrealities@capgemini.com, if you have questions or challenges for us, we’d love to hear from you!

TLDR:

•  00:20 – We’re back!
• 00:35 – Catching up on what we did during the summer break
•  10:48 – Planning ahead until Christmas: Microsoft Ignite, AWS re:Invent, an AI mini-series and cool guests
•  20:27 – Tech talk: iPhone 17, deep democracy training, and the human impact of innovation
•  32:10 – Will autonomous organizations powered by agents emerge within 12–18 months?
•  40:45 – Reflections inspired by Jaws, climbing adventures, and Bruce Springsteen 

Dave, Esmee, and Rob are strapping in for another season of bold, brain-bending conversations—and they’re bringing the flux capacitor with them from Back to the Future.

Season 5 beams in global leaders and innovators who challenge how we think about technology, business, and humanity. From AI disruption to digital sovereignty, from leadership to culture—this season’s guests are ready to shake things up.

Our first full episode drops on September 25, but before we hit 88 miles per hour, here’s a quick trailer to set the timeline straight, or at least bend it a little.