In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with Varun Bijlani, Global Managing Partner for Hybrid Cloud Services at IBM Consulting, to unpack the real-world challenges and opportunities facing enterprise leaders today.

Varun shares candid insights on why the shine has come off many digital and cloud transformations and what needs to change to deliver measurable returns. We discuss the pitfalls of being hybrid by default and how a hybrid by design strategy can radically shift how businesses deploy AI, manage data and keep costs in check.

Drawing from global client examples, Varun outlines how companies are moving from generic IT spending to targeted investments that protect margins, speed up time-to-market and unlock new value from AI-driven innovation. We also touch on the future of infrastructure, from embedded security and energy efficiency to the evolving role of agent-based AI.

If you are navigating the next phase of your company’s cloud journey or questioning how to align IT architecture with financial results, this conversation will give you a clear-eyed perspective from someone helping shape transformation at scale.

Listen in and join the discussion on how consulting, design thinking and practical frameworks can turn technology promises into real business performance.

What does reinvention look like inside a global consulting firm with nearly $20 billion in revenue? In this episode of Consulting the Future, I speak with Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President at IBM Consulting, about how the company is navigating the shift toward generative AI—one practical use case at a time.

Mohamad brings a rare blend of experience across cybersecurity, data, and enterprise software, shaped by leadership roles at IDG, Carbonite, and now IBM. This conversation unpacks how that background is informing IBM Consulting’s current transformation, including how teams are working differently, where AI is being applied effectively, and why an open ecosystem matters now more than ever.

We look closely at how generative AI is already changing day-to-day consulting work. From improving decision speed to redesigning complex workflows, Mohamad shares examples of client engagements that show real outcomes rather than hypothetical benefits. There’s a strong focus on using AI to amplify human expertise, not displace it—a theme that carries through his approach to upskilling and workforce development.

As consulting shifts toward more software-driven models, Mohamad outlines how IBM is adapting its own culture and mindset to stay relevant in a digital-first environment. That means faster iteration, deeper client collaboration, and new ways of thinking about what consulting looks like in the age of automation.

If you're wondering how to build an AI strategy that works in the real world—not just in pilot programs—this conversation offers grounded insights from inside one of the largest consulting organizations on the planet. It also raises a broader question that every leader should be asking: how do we make AI something that empowers, rather than replaces, the people at the heart of our businesses?

Listen in to learn how IBM Consulting is approaching the future—not as a trend to chase, but as a challenge to shape.

Inside the Accenture Tech Vision Report and the Future of AI-Driven Business

What does it really take to turn AI from hype into value? In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with Mary Hamilton, Global Lead for Accenture's Connected Innovation Centers, to unpack the key findings from Accenture’s 25th Tech Vision report and explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping business.

We discuss how AI is moving beyond automation to become a true collaborator in the enterprise. From generative design to intelligent agents and robotics, Mary explains how technology is evolving from instruction-led tools to systems that understand intent and adapt in real time.

Topics we cover include:

• Why trust is the foundation for AI adoption and how to build it rationally and emotionally
• How organizations can inject personality into AI to avoid sounding the same as everyone else
• The concept of cognitive digital brains and how multi-agent systems are transforming operations
• How robotics are becoming more flexible and applicable across logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare
• The importance of experimentation, upskilling, and making employees part of the AI journey
• How to measure AI success using adoption, engagement, customer satisfaction, and ethical alignment

Mary also shares how Accenture is helping clients bring these ideas to life through its innovation centers and how leaders can start turning AI into meaningful impact.

If your organization is thinking seriously about how to scale AI, build trust, and stay competitive in an increasingly autonomous world, this episode offers a practical, research-backed roadmap to help guide your next steps.

Is your business ready to treat AI as a partner rather than just a tool? Let’s find out.