Accenture AI Leaders Podcast

What does it mean to operate as an integrated firm in the age of AI? In this episode, Keri Smith, Global AI & Data Lead for Banking and Capital Markets at Accenture, speaks with Mandell Crawley, EVP and Chief Client Officer, and Dan DeDora, Lead, Integrated Client Intelligence and Head of FID Client Strategies at Morgan Stanley, on how AI is transforming client experience, from data activation to breaking down silos, and why true transformation starts with people.

In this episode, we explore the front lines of the generative AI revolution in customer service. Join Sharad Sachdev, Global Lead for Gen AI-Powered Customer Experience at Accenture, and Ping Wu, CEO of Cresta, as they discuss how the shift from deterministic to agentic AI is redefining the contact center. Together, they unpack the power of a unified platform that brings AI agents, real‑time human assistance, and conversational intelligence together to transform every customer interaction.

Join us for a special Women's Month episode exploring the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence with three distinguished leaders from Accenture: Keri Smith, AI & Data Lead for Financial Services; Teresa Tung, Global Advanced Data Lead; and Alice Chen, Senior Manager in the Center for Advanced AI. Together, they discuss what it takes to scale AI beyond the pilot phase, unpack the rise of "vibe coding" and agentic AI, and share why diverse perspectives are critical to building technology that truly serves all end users.

In this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, Andy Truscott, Global Health Technology Lead at Accenture, is joined by Simon Nazarian, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital & Technology Officer at City of Hope, for a deep, provocative conversation on what it really takes to scale AI in complex enterprises, especially in healthcare. Tune in for the full conversation!

Discover the impact of AI-powered computers in this fascinating episode with Harish Natarahjan, AI Consulting Lead for High Tech, and Prashanth Donepudi, Growth Strategy and HPI Relationship Lead at Accenture, alongside special guest Guayente Sanmartin, Senior Vice President and Division President of PS Commercial Systems at HP. Join us as we explore performance enhancements, the critical role of data privacy, and intelligent tools that boost productivity and user satisfaction.

Learn valuable insights into creating a more effective and inclusive workforce with AI in this AI Leaders Podcast episode! Keri Smith, Global Banking Data and AI Lead, sits down with David Parker, Global Financial Services Industry Chair and GMC Member at Accenture, and Susan Reid, Global Head of Talent at Morgan Stanley, to talk about how humans and digital workforces can collaborate to achieve greater results. Don't miss this engaging conversation.

Explore how artificial intelligence can drive progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Global South. Louise James, Accenture Development Partnerships Global Co-Lead at Accenture, is joined by Zameer Brey, AI Taskforce Lead at the Gates Foundation, and Suzy Madigan, formerly Responsible AI Lead at CARE International UK, to discuss the importance of locally relevant AI, the role of civil society, and real-world examples from health and education. Learn about the challenges of scaling, building skills, and ensuring AI benefits everyone.  

Join Accenture's Chief AI Officer Lan Guan and Naveen Rao, Former VP of AI at Databricks, for an open and engaging conversation about the realities of scaling AI within large organizations. Hear about Databricks journey from pioneering the first AI chip company to shaping AI strategy and discover the technical hurdles and organizational complexities involved in deploying AI at scale.

In this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, Ashwin Acharya, AI Lead for the Talent & Organization Practice, and Kent McMillan, Managing Director, Strategy at Accenture join Stan Zurkiewicz, Chairman of the Board and CEO of DEKRA, to discuss how AI is transforming large organizations. They explore AI's impact on productivity and growth, emphasizing trust, safety, sustainability, and continuous reinvention. Tune in to learn how AI can enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. 

In this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, Sen Ramani, Global Lead for Data and AI at Accenture, sits down with Sridhar Ramaswamy, CEO of Snowflake, for a dynamic conversation on the evolving role of data and AI in enterprise transformation. Together, they dive into product innovation, the rise of agentic AI, and how businesses can unlock value through reliable, scalable AI solutions.

In this thoughtful conversation, we explore the transformative role of AI in healthcare. From over a thousand FDA-approved AI-enabled medical devices to breakthroughs in medical imaging, the discussion highlights the importance of trust, transparency, and bias mitigation. Join Tracy Ring, Chief Data Officer and Global Generative AI Lead for Life Sciences; Tom Kawalec, Managing Director for Life Sciences Practice at Accenture; and Shaye Mandle, Executive Director of Digital Health Tech at AdvaMed, as they delve into AI's future in personalized care and its potential to reduce healthcare costs.

Explore how AI is reshaping the world of advertising in the latest episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, with Craig Vaughan, Managing Director, Data & AI Lead; Kevan Yalowitz, Global Industry Group Lead, Software & Platforms at Accenture and Ludovic de Valon, Director of Product Marketing at Amazon. From smarter ad campaigns and AI-powered content creation to leveling the playing field for small businesses, they dive into the game-changing opportunities AI brings to the industry. The conversation also tackles key challenges like data privacy and the importance of responsible governance.

Discover what's the latest in real-time payments, fraud, and AI in this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast with David Jones, Data & AI Lead, David DeLeon, Fraud & Financial Crime, for the Finance Risk Compliance Practice at Accenture and Steven Bufferd, Product Executive, Trust & Safety for J.P. Morgan Payments. We explore how fraud will continue to evolve, and given this, AI and innovation will be critical for mitigating risk and driving effective fraud prevention. Don't miss this insightful discussion!

Join us for an inspiring episode as we explore the journeys, leadership, and mentorship of women shaping the future of AI. Keri Smith, Global Banking Data and AI Lead, Teresa Tung, Global Data Capability Lead, and Alice Chen, Senior Manager from the AI Center at Accenture, share their personal stories and professional insights. Discover how they navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, break barriers, and drive innovation in the tech industry.

Unlock the power of knowledge graphs to map complex relationships across entities and data sources with Teresa Tung, Global Data Capability Lead, Tony Romito, Technology Consulting Director at Accenture, and Navin Sharma, Head of Product at Stardog.  Explore how these graphs provide the contextual depth that large language models lack, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency with a comprehensive, use-case-driven perspective.

In this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, we delve into the transformative role of AI in education with Manish Dasaur, Chief Data & AI Officer - NA CMT at Accenture and our special guest, Vijay Gurbaxani, Director of the Center of Digital Transformation at UC Irvine. Discover how AI is seamlessly integrated into various curriculums and fields, expediting the pursuit of new knowledge, and enhancing educational methodologies. And explore the evolving landscape of the job market and the changing demands for AI proficiency among employers.

Join us for an engaging discussion on the evolution of digital journeys, the transformative role of AI, and the strategic importance of holistic approaches to create value in the financial services sector with Keri Smith, Global Banking Data and AI Lead at Accenture, and Purva Sule, banking platforms leader, ex-Northern Trust, ex-BMO, and independent startup advisor. Learn how AI technologies are being used to personalize customer interactions, improve service delivery, and drive growth. 

In this insightful conversation, we explore how Gen AI, confidential computing and multi-party computation are transforming data sharing and privacy. Join Teresa Tung, Data Capability Lead at Accenture, along Raluca Ada Popa, Co-founder and President at Opaque Systems, and Rishabh Poddar, Co-founder and CTO. Discover how these technologies are breaking down barriers, fostering innovation, and creating new possibilities in data-driven industries.  

In this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, Harsha Almad, Managing Director and Global Lead of LearnVantage Academies for AI at Accenture, Girish Ganesan, Senior Vice President at S&P Global, and Kai Roemmelt, CEO of Udacity, now part of Accenture, explore how AI is transforming the workforce, the growing need for AI literacy, tailored learning programs, and how automation is reshaping job roles. Tune in to learn how organizations can prepare for rapid technological changes, foster an AI-aware culture, and build trust in AI integration to ensure workforce readiness.

Join us for an enlightening episode, where Arnab Chakraborty, Chief Responsible AI officer at Accenture, and Cathy Li, Head of AI, Data & Metaverse at the World Economic Forum, delve into the challenges of implementing responsible AI frameworks. A recent survey, conducted in collaboration with Stanford University, gathered insights from over 1,000 C-level executives across 19 industries on how they are preparing for AI regulations and future governance. Discover the key findings, the impact of emerging regulations, and the importance of industry-wide collaboration in shaping the future of technology.

In this episode, discover how the journey to digital is being enhanced and increasingly personalized with Gen AI. Join Keri Smith, Global Banking Data and AI Lead, and Brett Goode, Core Modernization and Senior Account Executive at Accenture, as they delve into the world of continuous innovation. From embracing human-centered design to democratizing Gen AI technology, tune in to uncover the transformative power and innovative benefits of Gen AI. Use the audio player on this page, or on one of the following podcast platforms to listen:

Explore how a well-implemented test and evaluation harness can be a competitive advantage for enterprises in this insightful podcast episode featuring Teresa Tung, Data Capability Lead at Accenture, and Vijay Karunamurthy, Field CTO at Scale AI. Join us as we delve into the importance of integrating technology with workflow to facilitate smoother operations and develop more cohesive strategies, ensuring reliable, efficient, and business-aligned AI deployments. Use the audio player on this page, or on one of the following podcast platforms to listen:

Discover how the banking industry is mobilizing to harness the value of AI driven transformation in our latest podcast episode with Keri Smith, Global Banking Data and AI Lead at Accenture, and Sumeet Chabria, Founder and CEO of ThoughtLinks. Listen now to gain valuable perspectives on how banks are leveraging Gen AI to drive operational efficiency, innovation, and improved service delivery, plus important considerations for governance and risk management. Use the audio player on this page, or on one of the following podcast platforms to listen:

Join us for a dive into cybersecurity, social engineering, and Gen AI tactics for defense strategies with Accenture's Kris Burkhardt, Global Chief Information Security Officer, and Robert Boyce, Global Cyber Resilience Lead. Discover the challenges and opportunities that security and data face. Learn how AI is being used in this space. 

In this insightful conversation, Scott Tvaroh, Industry X Managing Director at Accenture and Ibrahim Al-Syed, Director of Digital Manufacturing at Celanese, delve into the significance of integrating AI and human-centered design into a pragmatic and accelerated manufacturing transformation. Join them as they uncover strategies for creating a digital transformation strategy based on building a robust data platform setting up the potential of Generative AI to achieve groundbreaking results.

In this engaging podcast episode, Tracy Ring, Chief Data Officer and Global Head of Gen AI for Life Sciences at Accenture and Jeremy Forman, Executive Director of Data and AI at Seagen, now Pfizer, delve into the game-changing power of ongoing learning, highlighting its role in cultivating a sustainable culture that fosters Gen AI adoption within organizations. Explore their insights on the transformative impact of culture on business value as the starting point for a meaningful transformation. 

Join Sanjay Podder, CTO for Responsible AI at Accenture, and Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, machine learning scientist, and AI pioneer, in a thought-provoking discussion on responsible AI practices, emphasizing human and emotional integration. Explore their insights into innovative approaches that foster a harmonious relationship between technology and humanity.

In this episode, Priya Raman, Corporate Data and AI Leader at Accenture engages in a conversation with Pinar Doelen, Chief Analytics Officer at SAP, delving into the pivotal impact of Gen AI surpassing traditional data analysis. Together, they explore how Gen AI synergizes with data analytics to reshape businesses, industries, and organizations, fostering a collaborative era where humans and AI work together. Join them as they discuss the innovative benefits arising from Gen AI's transformative capabilities.

In this second episode about Generative AI and its influence in growth acceleration, Teresa Tung, May Habib, and Marc Appel exchange views about the impact of Generative AI from a trust perspective. They explore the implications of technology being accurate, legal, and transparent as part of a trustworthy reinvention of businesses and their processes. 

Explore the transformative impact of generative AI in marketing at Accenture with Teresa Tung who is joined by May Habib, CEO of Writer, and Marc Appel. This episode delves into real productivity gains, growth acceleration, and team morale. Discover how generative AI goes beyond efficiency, shaping a future where innovation and engagement take center stage. 

In this podcast episode, Keri Smith, Global Banking Data & AI Lead, talks with Papa Faye, who leads embedded digital solutions at J.P. Morgan. The discussion revolves around generative AI and its impact on the field of payments. Traditional AI in payments relied on rule-based systems, while Gen AI is now capable of handling more complex and creative tasks like fraud detection and personalized customer interactions. The conversation also touches on the importance of responsible AI, data security, and privacy.  ***The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of J.P Morgan. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "J.P Morgan Chase" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this episode we delve into the transformative force of Generative AI and its profound impact on businesses. Our guest, Charlie Stack, a seasoned expert in data analytics and AI, and Arnab Chakraborty, a Senior Managing Director at Accenture Data and AI, unravel the pivotal role Generative AI plays in reshaping business landscape. They discuss the intricate balance between risk and reward, emphasizing the need for a robust risk-reward apparatus. Discover insights into the rapid pace of change, the challenges faced by leaders, and how embracing Generative AI strategically can lead to innovative business models and sustainable success in this ever-evolving digital era.

Join us for a deep dive into the dynamic world of AI, where we explore its strategic alignment with company goals and the delicate balance between innovation and sustainability. Hear how to weave AI objectives seamlessly into the fabric of overarching company strategies and discuss the critical challenge of resource allocation and balance between experimentation and vital company functions. 

Dive into a riveting conversation with distinguished experts, Scott Tinkler, Jan Erik Aase and Bob Lutz, as they unravel the game-changing potential of AI in the Utilities industry. Scott Tinkler, senior managing director at Accenture, brings his extensive industry experience to the table, discussing how utilities are embracing data analytics and AI to drive down costs and transform their operations. Bob Lutz, a partner at ISG, sheds light on the power of AI and machine learning in managing the massive influx of data from IoT sensors, leading to more informed decisions and proactive maintenance strategies. Together, they explore the role of partnerships, cloud adoption, and data monetization in propelling Utilities towards innovative business models and industry advancements.

In this podcast episode we explore the global story of health disparities and the transformative potential of data and AI. Discover how new tools and technologies have opened unprecedented opportunities to address health inequalities on a global scale. Delve into the significance of data in health and wellness and how it can revolutionize our approach to healthcare. However, with these advancements come challenges that we must address. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how data-driven solutions and collaborative efforts can pave the way for a healthier and more equitable future for everyone. 

Join Chetna Sehgal, Senior Managing Director at Accenture and Global Practice Lead for the Accenture Google Business Group, in an enlightening conversation with Erwan Menard, Director of Product Management for Google Cloud AI, as they explore the transformative world of generative AI. From the impact on data privacy to the re-energizing of the workforce, they delve into the nuances, challenges, and opportunities presented by this technology. Discover how enterprises can harness the power of generative AI while ensuring ethical practices, optimizing resource usage, and realizing value. Tune in to unravel the complexities of this groundbreaking technology and understand how it can shape the future of businesses and individuals alike.

 In this episode, we dive into the operational dynamics of organization models utilized by data and analytics teams. Our guest, Lori Bieda, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at BMO, North American Personal and Business Bank, shares her invaluable insights. Lori delves into the pros and cons of these models, offering a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities they bring. Join us for this enlightening conversation as we unravel the intricacies of leading analytics teams in today's dynamic landscape with Lori Bieda.

In this episode, Tracy Ring, Accenture's Chief Data Officer and global generative AI lead for Life Sciences, interviews Walter Charles, General Manager of CSL Plasma. They explore CSL Plasma's transformation from analog to digital marketing, revolutionizing their business. Facing challenges during the pandemic, Walter implemented a data-driven digital marketing strategy, boosting donor engagement and response rates. Listen now. 

Discover the immense possibilities of Generative AI in this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast. Join us as we delve into the critical considerations for successful implementation and unlock its transformative potential. Featuring Bratin Saha, VP and GM of AI & Machine Learning at Amazon, and Teresa Tung, Cloud First Chief Technologist at Accenture. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation. 

In this episode of the AI Leaders Podcast, Alessandro De Luca, Chief Information Officer and Head of Information Technology at Merck KGaA, talks with Arnab Chakraborty and Eva Wiedenhöft about their transformative journey of digital acceleration fueled by cloud data and AI.   Alessandro identifies people, data, and technology as the primary enablers that have been pivotal in achieving success in their quest for total enterprise reinvention. Listen now to hear how organizations can leverage the power of technology to achieve business transformation.

Join Ravi Bellamkonda, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University, and Rubina Ohanian, Managing Director at Accenture, as they discuss the transformative power of AI in various areas of human endeavor. From its impact on higher education and human health to its potential to generate economic value, this podcast will explore how revolutionary technologies like AI can improve the human condition and advance our world. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the future of AI and its impact on society. 

Javier Polit, Chief Information and Digital Officer for Mondelēz International talks with Venky Rao of Accenture to discuss their AI enabled transformation journey. Javier shares the catalyst  to becoming a data driven company and his experience along the way. Listen now to hear his story. 

In this episode Ahmad Aladawi talks with Terri Rinella about his experience in the Accenture Apprenticeship Program. Ahmad shares his personal story how he put himself through college, became an apprentice, and is now a Information Security Specialist. Hear how companies are turning to programs like this to fill the skill gap and recruit talent for the digital jobs economy. 

In part 2 of the podcast, Per Osterman and Xiaopeng Li continue their discussion how companies can reach AI maturity. They explore the different use cases that exist for this technology and how to prioritize your efforts as well as how companies can create business value using data and AI. 

As companies move from experimentation to implementation with their AI initiatives, they need to think how they can scale across the entire organization. The opportunity to scale requires C-level sponsorship and having the right talent in the right place. Listen to hear what Per Osterman, Nordics Applied Intelligence Lead and Xiaopeng Li think is imperative to reaching AI Maturity.

Hear how consumer goods manufacturer Mars is innovating by rapidly scaling digital twin technology. Enabling them to be more collaborative, improve operations and find more intuitive ways of doing things.  

Saul Perlmutter, Nobel Laureate, professor of physics at UC Berkeley and director of Berkeley Institute for Data Science joins Accenture's Arnab Chakraborty to discuss the field of AI advancing within organizations from practice to high performance. Hear how talent, culture and responsible design are all important factors to becoming a high performer. Listen now.

Julia Westland, co-leads Spencer Stuart's Data & Analytics Practice, talks with Accenture's Joe Depa about the role of the Chief Data and Analytics Officer and the evolution of it. Starting off as a data focused role making data an important part of the boardroom conversation, but has since broadened beyond this.

In this episode, Abhijit Bhatwadekar - Head of Data & Analytics at PPL Corporation, talks with Accenture's Lee Barrett about the evolution of the utilities industry and its use of artificial intelligence. Hear why data and AI are key to managing the changes taking place across the industry. Listen now.

In this episode, Lascelles Forrester, is joined by Josh Reese to discuss Navy Federal Credit Unions cloud data transformation. Hear the challenges they faced when starting with fragmented and siloed data and the benefits they have gained from their data transformation journey. Listen now.