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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The Storytelling CIO and the Invisible Engine of AI
At the 7th edition of the ETCIO Annual Conclave, an exclusive leadership summit that brought together India's foremost technology decision-makers, a deceptively simple game of 'Simon Says' opened the afternoon session, offering an unexpected yet powerful cue about attention, perception, and the evolving role of the speaker, Ameen Haque, founder of Storywallahs, stood before a crowd of India's top technology executives. But this wasn't just icebreaking. 'Over a game of simple 'Simon Says',' Haque later explained, 'it was thought-provoking for CIOs, moving you to a place of alertness.' It was a miniature neuroscience experiment: Proof that the brain responds more to visual stimuli than verbal ones. This insight, Haque iterates, holds the key to modern tech leadership. 'We forget facts,' he said, 'but the human brain remembers stories.' That's the paradox CIOs are navigating now. It is to narrate ideas at the intersection of tech and business clearly and quickly to stakeholders who may not understand the language of IT. 'How does one tell a story in the business context,' Haque asked aloud, 'tell it fast and simplify for the non-IT folks?' CIOs Confront the Real Test of AI The question is timely. Across India's boardrooms, digital transformation is in full tilt. Generative AI has emerged not merely as a tool but as a turning point—what Rakesh Bhardwaj, Global CIO at Lupin, calls 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.' Bhardwaj says, 'The bold experiments everyone is doing are paying off. GenAI has come as a hope where we can pole vault. Now we are in the game of translating volatility to opportunity. AI-led autonomy to human centricity.' Yet while India's adoption of AI technologies has outpaced global averages, the real question is not just about uptake—but impact. 'Who's really extracting the value?' Bhardwaj's rhetorical question remains. Ashok Jade, Global CIO of Kirloskar Brothers, knows this challenge all too well. Working within the constraints of a legacy manufacturing enterprise, he sees AI as more than an efficiency engine. 'What if AI could open a new line of business?' he asked. Imagine a future where an AI agent helps a customer select an industrial pump online, surpassing today's three-tiered architecture. 'Moving ahead, can a pump be sold as a service?' he posed. 'Can a digital factory be taken to the customer, consequently?' That tension—between operational safety and technological speed—finds vivid expression in the mobility sector. Manikandan Thangarathnam of Uber India explains, 'Today, Uber operates in 70 countries, drivers uploading vehicle documents—how quickly can we look at allowing them to drive?' But in mobility, haste comes at a price. 'The margin of error is too low; We cannot let a customer drive unsafely,' he said. The key he believes is, 'Understand the scale, depth, and complexity before applying the tech for the problem.' But innovation at Uber hasn't slowed. 'This is the era of transformation in mobility,' Thangarathnam said. 'We can solve traffic in India by more people in lesser vehicles. Lower cost, higher predictability—that's what customers want in shared mobility. So even if it takes four years to solve the problem, it remains evergreen.' If the optimism sounds radical, so does the provocation. Hitesh Sachdev, Head of Innovation & Startups at ICICI Bank, half-jokingly asked, 'Will AI be the CEO of the company?' In some ways, that future doesn't feel entirely far-fetched. The workforce, meanwhile, is undergoing its own metamorphosis. In a rapid-fire round, executives offered one-word answers to a daunting question: How are you rethinking talent in the era of AI? 'Upskilling,' 'Business-first,' and, to applause, 'The person knowing AI will take your job, not AI itself.' Despite concerns of automation replacing roles—over 300,000 jobs and counting—there is also a 2.8% productivity uptick. That trade-off defines the moment. The Invisible Engine: Making AI Work Across Business Some of the biggest wins, however, come from redefining how organizations make decisions and execute at scale. Kenny Kesar, Global CIO at Wipro, explains, 'We asked: How do we move from scattered innovation to systemic?' The $11 billion company transitioned from viewing AI as an external pilot to an internal imperative. 'We moved from AI-as-a-thing to AI-in-everything,' he said. Wipro's AI-infused go-to-market tools now include deal intelligence systems and proposal copilots, built on a platform called AI Fabric. 'True transformation happens when AI is the invisible engine.' The metaphor sticks. 'AI is a convex lens in the hands of visionary leadership,' Kesar added, explaining how Wipro deployed 70 enterprise-wide AI use cases and instituted MLOps to scale further. The next frontier? Equipping 235,000 employees with AI skills. In a room full of CIOs, the storytelling wasn't just about technology. It was about re-imagining what leadership looks like in the age of algorithms. And, as Haque suggested, the most powerful shift isn't technical at all. 'Some of the best tech leaders,' he said simply, 'are good storytellers.' The rest, after all, is just data.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
CIO 3.0: The rise of the tech-strategist CEO
As the enterprise technology landscape undergoes a period of quick transformation, the role of the Chief Information Officer is evolving from a traditional IT steward to a strategic business leader. The 7th edition of the ETCIO Annual Conclave, scheduled from May 29 to June 1, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt in Goa, aims to explore this evolution under the theme 'CIO 3.0: Transforming Innovation into Business Reality'.Masterclass Spotlight: Dr. Ram Charan on the CIO-to-CEO JourneyA highlight of this year's conclave is the exclusive masterclass by globally acclaimed business strategist Dr. Ram Charan. With over five decades of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Charan will delve into 'How Tech Leaders Can Become a CEO,' offering insights into the strategic mindset required for CIOs aspiring to ascend to the CEO role. Celebrity Speakers Bringing Fresh Perspectives The conclave features a diverse lineup of celebrity speakers who will share unique insights: Leander Paes: The tennis legend will discuss the parallels between sports leadership and corporate strategy. Anupam Mittal: Founder & CEO, People Group & Angel Investor, Mittal will share his entrepreneurial journey and the role of technology in scaling businesses. Milind Soman: Indian actor, model, and fitness enthusiast, Soman will emphasize the importance of wellness and resilience in leadership. Irfan Pathan: Former Indian cricketer, Pathan will draw lessons from sportsmanship applicable to corporate leadership. Ameen Haque: Founder of Storywallahs, Haque will highlight the power of storytelling in driving organizational change. CIOs in the Spotlight: Architects of India's Digital Future As digital acceleration becomes synonymous with business survival, the ETCIO Annual Conclave 2025 brings together a handpicked cohort of technology leaders who are not just adapting to change—they're defining it. Here are some of the most influential CIOs whose presence at the conclave signals the direction enterprise tech is headed: Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, CDTO, Air IndiaManish Gupta, Group CIO, Aditya Birla GroupSanjeev Rastogi, CEO, Adani Group - GCCHilal Khan, CIO, Honda Cars IndiaMahesh Ramamoorthy, CIO, YES BankKrishna Guha Roy, Director IT[CIO], South Asia Region, NestleRucha Nanavati, CDTO, Mahindra & Mahindra, Automotive and Farm Equipment BusinessVrijesh Nagathan, CIDTO, Marico Beyond the Sessions: Networking and Innovation The conclave offers more than just sessions: Innovation Booths: Over 80 booths showcasing cutting-edge tech Zone: Interactive demos and hands-on experiences with emerging Opportunities: Curated sessions providing over 1000 minutes of networking with industry peers. Stay Connected For updates, key takeaways, and post-event coverage, stay tuned to Join the conversation and be part of the transformation shaping the future of enterprise technology leadership.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ETCIO Annual Conclave 2025: Redefining CIO's journey from technology steward to enterprise leader
ETCIO Annual Conclave 2025 The Economic Times CIO (ETCIO) announces its landmark 7th Annual Conclave, themed " CIO 3.0 : Transforming innovation into business reality," taking place May 29 to June 1, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt, Goa. This invitation-only gathering will bring together over 200 of India's most influential technology leaders to explore the evolving role of the CIO from technology enabler to business strategist and potential CEO. In an era where AI, automation, and data analytics are fundamentally reshaping business landscapes, the 2025 conclave addresses the critical evolution of the CIO role. No longer confined to technical implementation, today's CIOs are increasingly becoming architects of growth, drivers of customer experience, and shapers of enterprise strategy. "The modern CIO stands at a pivotal crossroads," said Amit Kumar Gupta, business head, ET business verticals. "This year's conclave is designed as a blueprint for technology leaders who are ready to translate their innovation capabilities into tangible business outcomes and position themselves for the highest levels of corporate leadership." The ETCIO Annual Conclave 2025 delivers an unparalleled experience crafted specifically for technology leaders at the pinnacle of their fields. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo Attendees will engage with Dr Ram Charan's exclusive masterclass on the CIO-to-CEO journey, participate in 25+ visionary sessions spanning multiple formats, and connect during 1,000+ minutes of strategic networking opportunities with peers from India's most prestigious organizations. Technology visionaries from ICICI Bank, Ola, Akasa Air, Zepto, Hero MotoCorp, NSE, Adani Group, and other industry titans will lead critical conversations on AI as the new enterprise operating system, strategies for leading through constant disruption, data democratization across organizations, and next-generation infrastructure approaches. This carefully orchestrated convergence of India's top technology minds creates not merely a conference but a transformative leadership laboratory where today's innovations become tomorrow's competitive advantages. Setting this conclave apart are the carefully crafted evening experiences featuring conversations with prominent figures from Bollywood, business, and sports, complemented by performances from India's most celebrated musical artists, creating an environment where intellectual stimulation meets cultural enrichment. The ETCIO Annual Conclave isn't just an event; it's where the future of technology leadership is defined. Attendees don't just leave with new ideas—they leave with transformed perspectives on their role in shaping enterprise futures. For more information about the ETCIO Annual Conclave 2025 or to request an invitation, visit . About ETCIO The Economic Times CIO (ETCIO) is India's premier platform for technology leaders, providing insights, analysis, and community engagement for chief information officers and technology decision-makers across industries. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
