The CAIO Connect Podcast (Chief AI Officer Connect Podcast)

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri sits down with Steve Wilson, Chief AI & Product Officer at Exabeam — a tech leader whose career spans from helping shape Java in its early days to driving AI-powered innovation in cybersecurity today. Steve shares his incredible journey at the intersection of AI, security, and leadership, and breaks down what it really takes to build secure, responsible, and ROI-driven AI systems in the enterprise. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:  1️⃣ Why most AI projects fail — and how to avoid the “AI theatre trap.”  2️⃣ How to balance horizontal AI use cases (for everyone) vs vertical AI applications (for real business impact).  3️⃣ The right way to govern AI — shifting from “human-in-the-loop” to “human-on-the-loop.”  4️⃣ Why AI agents should be managed like junior engineers (and even treated as potential insider threats!).  5️⃣ The future of enterprise AI — from replacing old interfaces to integrating deeply with tools like Salesforce, SharePoint, and beyond. If you’re an AI leader, C-suite executive, or tech innovator looking to make AI work safely and strategically inside your organization, this episode is a must-watch. 👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to the CAIO Connect Podcast for more conversations with the visionaries shaping the future of AI. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIPodcast  Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonsd/ 

On this episode of the CIO Podcast, Sanjay Puri interviews Dr. Girish Nadkarni, Chief AI Officer at Mount Sinai Health System, to explore the blueprint for enterprise AI in healthcare. Highlights include: From serendipity to leadership: Dr. Nadkarni’s journey from India to Mount Sinai What a “learning health system” really means—and why it matters The ROI challenge in healthcare AI (beyond dollars) Balancing innovation and risk in AI governance Why end-user inclusion is the secret to scaling AI adoption Future tech: graph learning, agentic AI, and small language models 🎯 A must-watch for AI leaders, healthcare executives, and enterprise innovators. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/girish-nadkarni-653b0564 

Join host Sanjay Puri in this groundbreaking episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast as he sits down with Ajay Gupta, Chief Digital Transformation Officer for the State of California. Discover how one visionary leader is revolutionizing government services for 40 million Californians through cutting-edge AI implementation. Key Highlights: How California built the nation's most advanced mobile driver's license program with cryptographic security AI-powered fraud detection systems that process millions of identity verifications Real-world implementation of agentic AI in government customer service Reducing specialized license plate approval backlogs from 8 months to zero using LLMs Balancing innovation with equity, accessibility, and responsible AI governance Public-private partnerships that attract top AI talent to government work Explainable AI solutions that provide legal defensibility for government decisions The economics of government AI: measuring ROI across different service channels.  Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gajay  ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 Podcast Highlights & Introduction 5:00 Ajay's transition from the private sector to government  11:33 Ajay's "aha moment" with GenAI and his balanced approach  15:36 The California Mobile Driver's License (mDL) Program  21:41 Stress testing AI models for a diverse population  25:42 Using AI for specialized license plate approvals  33:41 Identifying the right AI use cases in government  36:11 Measuring success and ROI of AI initiatives  40:25 Defining and implementing agentic AI  46:23 The role of agentic AI in government services  50:13 Implementing guardrails and governance for AI  55:01 Evaluating new AI models and benchmarks  57:09 Attracting and retaining AI talent in the public sector  1:03:02 The key to California's innovation and what sets it apart  1:06:39 Lightning Round of Questions  1:08:30 Conclusion and farewell

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri sits down with Dr. Bijoy Sagar, Chief Information & Digital Transformation Officer at Bayer, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic life sciences companies is reimagining itself with AI. What you’ll learn: How Bayer launched MyGenAssist, a secure GenAI platform for 50,000+ employees. Why pharma & agriculture are ideal testbeds for AI innovation. The rise of agentic AI – shifting from tools to enterprise-wide decision velocity. Balancing compliance, governance, and innovation in highly regulated industries. The future of synthetic data, quantum compute, and digital twins in life sciences. 👉 Watch now to hear how Bayer is driving “Health for All, Hunger for None” with AI-first strategies. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bijoysagar/  ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 Podcast Highlights & Introduction  1:36 Why pharma and agriculture are ideal for AI  4:34 Bijoy’s "aha moment" with Gen AI  6:49 AI as a driver of decision velocity  10:03 Convincing the board and the bottom-up approach to Gen AI adoption 13:20 Differentiating between Gen AI and agentic AI use cases  17:43 The role of AI agents in life sciences and the concept of "transition points"  21:45 Defining AI agents: autonomous decisions and outcome-driven goals  26:13 Model selection and the importance of compute and token optimization  28:57 Rethinking the intranet as a living AI interface  33:56 Balancing AI innovation with regulatory compliance  37:16 Protecting data and the ethical use of black-box models  40:17 The future of synthetic data, digital twins, and a hybrid approach  47:50 The role of TPU accelerated compute in scientific innovation  50:25 The war for AI talent and attracting mission-driven employees  53:46 The importance of diversity in AI development and addressing the digital divide  59:18 AI's role in sustainability and food security  1:01:55 The importance of C-suite and board support for AI transformation  1:04:18 Lightning Round of Questions  1:06:09 Key advice for peers: be prepared to be wrong  1:07:16 Conclusion and farewell 

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri sits down with Dr. Debarag Banerjee, Chief AI & Data Officer at L&T Finance, to explore how AI is reshaping financial services. With a Stanford PhD, 15 patents, and leadership roles at Flipkart, Jio, Agoda, and Intel, Dr. Banerjee shares practical frameworks on building enterprise-scale AI. Highlights from this episode: Why RODI (Return on Data Investment) is a must-have framework for the C-Suite. How Cyclops, L&T Finance’s ML underwriting engine, processes loans in under 4 seconds. Agentic AI adoption: where chatbots and underwriting converge. Managing a multi-LLM strategy (OpenAI, Gemini, Llama, OSS models). The talent war in AI: hiring beyond FAANG. 👉 Subscribe to CAIO Connect for more conversations with global Chief AI Officers. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarag/ ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 Podcast Highlights & Introduction 02:23 - 02:40 - I've been in the AI from way before it was cool. 04:23.301 - 04:44 - the world's first generative AI-based fashion designs. This was way before GIGPD. 09:12 - 10:41 - A hands-on boot camp for the C-suite and board. 13:56 - 14:13 - The concept of "Return on Data Investment" (RODI). 58:53 - 59:13 - a big part of what we call software engineering was actually a profession that we made a mistake creating. 1:01:03 - 1:01:04 - Preference for "cautious" agents. 1:01:36 - 1:01:38 - Gen.AI in production in "months, ideally weeks." 

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast hosted by Sanjay Puri, we sit down with Vishal Gupta, Lexmark’s Global CTO, CIO, and SVP of Connected Technology — to discuss how he’s scaling AI-led transformation at a global level. In this episode: Why the “push” AI model is over — and the board is now driving the pull How Lexmark is embedding AI into key products and business functions The 4 big changes AI brings compared to past tech cycles Building AI strategies that create tangible enterprise value Vishal’s philosophy on talent development and “AI as a superpower” 💡 A must-watch for any technology or business leader thinking long-term about AI. 📺 Watch now and subscribe for more insights from top CAIOs and CIOs.  Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-gupta-046149/  ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 Podcast Highlights & Introduction  3:19 Vishal’s journey from engineering to C-suite and the importance of solving the right problems  5:58 The CIO/CTO role: a shift from a push to a pull model for AI  8:10 The democratization of AI and the unprecedented interest in the technology 9:48 The hype cycle: AI as both an opportunity and a distraction  11:31 The critical role of change management and prioritizing use cases  14:23 How to prioritize use cases with a steering team  18:16 An overview of Lexmark's business and its technology roots  19:10 Real-world AI use cases at Lexmark (extending product life, automated proposals, customer support)  24:12 ROI of AI and building trust with business leaders  25:04 The secret sauce: developing talent internally to get buy-in and drive results  31:15 The war for AI talent and the importance of enabling existing employees 34:31 The Technology Rotation Program (TRP) for college hires  37:22 The changing role of the CIO and the inevitability of change  39:07 Driving productivity gains across the enterprise  41:35 Defining and implementing agentic AI  45:59 The security of AI: trust but verify  55:33 The importance of an AI ethics board and responsible AI development  58:48 Lightning Round of questions  59:53 Final thoughts and farewell 

What happens when agents start shaping organizations instead of just executing tasks? Frank Schmid explores: Why human oversight remains non-negotiable for AI agents How AI agents differ from traditional RPA tools Governance, telemetry, and insider threat mitigation Why AI agents may redesign workflows—and even organizations—on their own The real reasons no agent is in production (yet) at Gen Re 🔍 Watch now to dive deep into the future of enterprise workflows and the promise—and peril—of AI agents. Resources Mentioned: https://www.genre.com/us/knowledge/contributors/frank-schmid?page=1&facet=all  ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 Podcast Highlights  1:06 Frank's career journey and an overview of General Reinsurance  3:46 The experience of incorporating AI into a legacy company  4:42 The role of AI as a transformative general-purpose technology  7:09 Overcoming skepticism and fostering AI adoption  14:03 The three levels of GenAI adoption: task, workflow, and organizational redesign  17:04 The shift from application-centric to data-centric thinking  20:39 The strategy for using proprietary and hyperscaler models  24:01 Competing for AI talent  28:39 Increasing AI literacy among underwriters and actuaries  30:26 The J-curve effect and measuring productivity gains  34:03 Defining and approaching AI agents  41:19 The role of AI in cybersecurity and the new threat of AI agents  46:33 Lightning Round of Questions  48:03 Final thoughts and farewell 

Explore how TD SYNNEX CIO Kristie Grinnell is revolutionizing enterprise AI through her vision of an “agentic AI factory” and “bot factory.” Learn how she’s scaling innovation securely while enabling a hybrid workforce. In this episode: What an “agentic AI factory” actually means No-code to pro-code AI implementation at scale Why AI must be governed like your human workforce The CIO’s role in leading AI transformation Building secure sandboxes for experimentation 🎧 Watch now to understand the real architecture behind enterprise AI success. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiegrinnell/ 

Welcome to another episode of CAIO Connect! In this powerful conversation, Sanjay Puri is joined by Peter Zornio, CTO of Emerson, to explore how AI is transforming industrial automation at a foundational level. Peter reflects on his 40-year career and shares the evolution from traditional process control to generative AI. 🔍 Key Insights: Why Emerson was using AI decades before it became mainstream Peter's definition of “Boundless Automation” and what it means for the future Real-world examples of AI in action: from predictive maintenance to sustainability How Emerson balances explainability, determinism, and trust in AI systems The role of venture capital and innovation in shaping Emerson's future 👀 Watch this episode to understand how deep domain knowledge and AI strategy intersect in the industrial sector. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerson   https://www.facebook.com/EmersonCorporate/  https://x.com/Emerson_News    Peter Zornio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterzornio/ 

In this groundbreaking episode of the CAIO Podcast, host Sanjay Puri sits down with Claudionor Coelho Jr., Chief AI Officer at Zscaler, to explore the revolutionary future of enterprise AI. With three decades of experience spanning formal methods, machine learning, and enterprise AI, Claudionor shares his unique perspective on why the future of AI will be agentic, neuro-symbolic, and secure. Key Topics Covered: The critical limitations of Large Language Models (LLMs) with NP-complete problems and discrete reasoning Why enterprise AI leaders must understand the difference between discrete and probabilistic reasoning The revolutionary concept of "Bring Your Own Agents" (BYOA) and agent-to-agent communication Security challenges in multi-agent systems and data protection across enterprise perimeters How Zscaler processes half a trillion daily transactions using AI at massive scale The emergence of neuro-symbolic AI as the solution to current AI limitations Practical guidance for Chief AI Officers on selecting the right AI use cases for maximum ROI Global implications of AI implementation across different regulations and infrastructure About the Guest: Claudionor Coelho Jr. is the Chief AI Officer at Zscaler, one of the world's leading cybersecurity firms. He holds a PhD from Stanford University and has held leadership positions at Google, Palo Alto Networks, and Advantest. He serves on World Economic Forum working groups on AI and cybersecurity. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudionor-coelho-jr-b156b01/ 

In this powerful episode of CAIO Connect, host Sanjay Puri dives deep with Gaia Bellone, Chief Data & AI Officer at Prudential Financial Financial for Emerging Markets. Gaia shares her inspiring journey from Carnegie Mellon to transforming global financial services with AI. 🔍 What you'll learn: How Gaia moved from stochastic calculus to executive AI leadership Challenges in balancing AI innovation with responsible governance Why starting small matters: practical steps for enterprise AI rollout How Prudential Financial ensures measurable ROI on AI initiatives Advice for aspiring AI professionals in finance 👉 Watch Now and discover the mindset behind global AI transformation! Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaiabellone/ 

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, we dive into how AI is revolutionizing talent and workforce solutions at scale.Ganesh Ramakrishnan, CIO of ManpowerGroup, shares:· How AI helps match millions of resumes to jobs with machine learning· The concept of the “Talent Agent”: a 24/7 virtual career coach· How Manpower is turning decades of data into a strategic moat· The cloud migration that laid the foundation for AI acceleration🎧 A must-watch for anyone in HR tech, AI, or enterprise transformation.Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganesh-ramakrishnan-b523092/⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the CAIO Podcast01:30 – Ganesh’s Career Journey: From IIT to Global CIO04:25 – Building Banks from Scratch in Eastern Europe06:40 – The Changing Role of CIO in the AI Era10:45 – CIO as a Business Transformer, Not Just Tech Leader14:30 – Essential Skills for Future CIOs and CAIOs18:55 – How ManpowerGroup Uses AI to Match Talent with Jobs23:45 – Introducing the Virtual Talent Agent29:40 – Why Companies Must Start Small and Dream Big31:20 – Prioritising AI Initiatives: Avoiding the Pilot Purgatory34:00 – Building the Right AI Data Foundation36:15 – Hiring AI Talent & Creating an Innovation Culture42:55 – AI Ethics and Bias Mitigation at Scale46:15 – Measuring AI ROI and Communicating Value48:30 – Why Diversity is Essential in AI Teams50:45 – Why Leaders Must Keep Learning AI53:30 – How AI Will Reshape the Future of Work56:10 – Emerging AI Trend to Watch: Agentic AI57:24 – ⚡ Lightning Round: Ganesh’s AI Preferences59:31 – Closing Thoughts & Message to AI Leaders

AI is reshaping global governance, humanitarian aid, and policy implementation. In this episode, Lambert Hogenhout, Chief of Data & AI at the United Nations, joins Sanjay Puri to discuss:· How the UN is using AI for crisis response, supply chain logistics, and disaster relief.· The challenges of implementing AI in a vast multinational organization.· Why AI governance is critical for ensuring global stability and trust.· Lessons for AI leaders from deploying AI across international operations.🚀 Watch now and learn how AI is shaping the future of global governance! 🔔 Subscribe for more enterprise AI discussions!Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamberthogenhout/

📢 In this episode of the CAIO Podcast, host Sanjay Puri speaks with Abdullah Althawad, Data Analytics Senior Director at Takamal Holding, about the transformative AI initiatives in Saudi Arabia. 🚀 Key Takeaways: AI in Saudi Arabia: The role of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in driving AI leadership and regulation. AI-Powered Digital Transformation: How Saudi has centralized government services through AI-driven applications like Tawakkalna. Large Language Models (LLMs): Why Saudi Arabia is investing in its own Arabic-based LLM, Allam, to preserve cultural and linguistic identity. AI Regulation & Data Privacy: How Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) aligns with GDPR principles. Youth & AI Talent: The importance of a digitally native workforce in accelerating AI adoption. 📌 Don’t miss this in-depth conversation on AI’s impact in Saudi Arabia! 📺 Watch now and subscribe for more insights! Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/althawad/?originalSubdomain=sa 

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri engages with Sriram Ramanathan, Global Chief Technology Officer at Exela Technologies. With over 23 years of experience in AI, cloud computing, and mobile technology, Sriram delivers powerful insights on the transformative shifts AI has experienced in the last two years. 🎯 Key Takeaways: 📅 The democratization of AI and the accessibility of LLMs since 2022. 💡 Why Generative AI is the new operating system of next-gen enterprises. 🔐 Security, privacy, and ethical considerations for AI deployment. 💼 Balancing the economics of AI deployment with private and hybrid models. 🌐 Emerging trends like sovereign clouds and model ubiquity. 🎥 Watch now to understand how AI is reshaping industries worldwide and how companies can keep pace. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriram-ramanathan-109b1b4b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app 

CAIO Podcast | Driving AI Innovation at H&R Block with Aditya Thadani In this insightful episode of the CAIO Podcast, Sanjay Puri sits down with Aditya Thadani, Vice President of AI Platforms at H&R Block, to explore how AI is driving digital transformation in financial services. 🔍 Key Takeaways: How H&R Block processes over 20 million tax returns annually using AI The role of AI in enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency Why migrating 90% of compute capacity to Azure Cloud was a game-changer Building customer trust through an omni-channel strategy Managing vendor dependency and ensuring business resilience Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityathadani/  ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Podcast Episode Highlights 02:00 – Aditya’s Background & Journey into AI 05:30 – The Role of AI in Business Strategy 09:15 – Challenges in AI Adoption 12:45 – AI Ethics & Responsible Innovation 16:30 – The Future of AI Regulation 19:45 – AI’s Impact on Jobs & Workforce Transformation 23:00 – AI in Emerging Markets 26:30 – The Role of Open-Source AI 30:00 – Aditya’s Vision for AI in the Next Decade 33:00 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways  

AI is reshaping industries, driving efficiencies, and unlocking new business opportunities. But how can companies harness its full potential? On the CAIO Podcast, Jay Persaud from EY reveals what’s next in AI, data, and enterprise innovation. 💡 In This Episode: The future of AI-driven business intelligence. Data platforms: The backbone of digital transformation. How leaders can build a culture of AI adoption within their organizations. 📢 Watch now to get expert insights on AI in business! Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-persaud-823b813/ 

🚀 CAIO Podcast – Rodrigo Madanes on AI Strategy & Innovation at EY 🚀 The CAIO Podcast welcomes Rodrigo Madanes, Global AI Innovation Officer at Ernst & Young (EY), to discuss how large enterprises can successfully implement and scale AI for real business impact. With experience at Apple, eBay, Skype, and Oracle, Rodrigo brings deep insights into AI-driven digital transformation. 🔹 How EY built a GenAI platform for 300,000+ employees in just 6 months 🔹 The biggest challenges enterprises face in AI adoption—and how to solve them 🔹 How AI is reshaping decision-making, efficiency, and business strategy 🔹 Key lessons from Rodrigo’s journey in AI leadership across top tech companies 🎧 Don’t miss this must-watch episode for AI leaders, business executives, and innovators! Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmadanes/ 

The world of infrastructure is evolving at an unprecedented pace, thanks to AI and digital transformation. Dimitris Bountolos, Chief Information & Innovation Officer at Ferrovial, joins Sanjay Puri on the CAIO Connect Podcast to discuss: AI’s role in modernizing infrastructure, from smart roads to energy-efficient buildings Challenges and opportunities in integrating AI with large-scale projects Real-world examples of AI-driven innovation at Ferrovial The future of AI in sustainable urban development Don’t miss this insightful discussion on how AI is redefining the way we build and connect to the world. Resources Mentioned: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/dbountolos 

💡 How does TransUnion, a $3.8 billion company, leverage AI for security and innovation? In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri explores this with Munir Hafez, CIO of TransUnion. 📌 What You’ll Learn: ✅ AI’s role in data security and regulatory compliance ✅ Challenges in AI adoption within financial services ✅ How TransUnion fosters innovation while ensuring data privacy ✅ The future of AI-driven fraud prevention ✅ Munir’s advice for AI professionals entering finance 🔗 Tune in now to explore how AI is transforming the financial landscape! Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/munirhafez/