Cloud Realities

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 t...

 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...

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...

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 Intr...

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 Capgemi...

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 conf...

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...

 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 g...

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.<...

Dave, Esmee, and Rob take a moment to look back on the wild ride that was Season 4—revisiting the themes that sparked the biggest conversations and the guests who left a lasting impression. They also reveal what’s on their summer to-do lists and drop a few juicy hints about what’s coming in Season 5. Get ready—it’s going to be even bigger and bolder.

Thank you to all our listeners and guests for joining us in Season 4 - have a great summer and we will see you in September!

TLDR:
00:40 Season 4 by the number...

The rise of structure software fueled globalization by streamlining operations across borders. Now, Cloud and AI are accelerating this momentum, enabling faster innovation, smarter decision-making, and scalable growth. By modernizing ERP with intelligent technologies, organizations can stay agile, competitive, and ready for the next wave of global transformation.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Timo Elliott, Innovation Evangelist at SAP, to explore how SAP is driving globalization—and how organizations can accelerate innovation through the power of Cloud and AI.

TLDR
00:55 Introduction of Timo Elliott
02:40 Rob shares his confusion about mi...

GreenOps is a cultural transformation that empowers developers to turn emissions data into meaningful action, bridging the communication gap with ESG teams and exposing the critical truth that cloud cost and carbon cost are not the same, which fundamentally reshapes how we approach sustainable IT.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to James Hall, Head of GreenOps at Green Pixie, to unpack the real state of GreenOps today—and why we’ve only just scratched the surface.
 
TLDR
01:57 Rob is confused about AGI
06:11 Cloud conversation with James Hall
22:10 Esmee as media arche...

Quantum computing in 2025 is rapidly advancing toward commercialization, with breakthroughs in algorithms, scalable hardware, and cloud-based quantum services driving real-world applications across finance, healthcare, logistics, and cybersecurity

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob dive into the cutting edge of quantum computing with Catherine Vollgraff Heidweiller, Quantum AI PM at Google, and James Goeders, Head of Product for Google Quantum AI, exploring how far we've come since our June 2023 Quantumania! episode and what to expect from Willow—the bold fusion of quantum, AI, digital integration, deployment, and the broader tech ecosystem.

TLDR
00:46 Meet Catherine an...

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In this special bonus episode, building on our Reimagining Telecoms mini-series, we dive into the current opportunities shaping today’s dynamic telco landscape.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Vivek Badrinath,  Director General of the GSMA about the current opportunities shaping today’s dynamic telco landscape and the role of GSMA.

TLDR
01:38 Introduction to Vivek and the bonus episode
03:48 In-depth conversation with Vivek Badrinath
42:13 Can e...

[AAA] In 'Access All Areas' shows we go behind the scenes with the crew and their friends as they dive into complex challenges that organizations face—sometimes getting a little messy along the way.

This week, we address the ‘big rocks’ that can obstruct or delay successful outcomes in organizational transformations. Dave, Esmee, and Rob are joined by Jasmin Booth, Head of Product Delivery to discuss the transformation to being a (digital) product based organization.

TLDR
05:22 Access All Areas: This third episode focuses on the products we build that drive outcomes.

06:52 Conversation with J...

Every organization is built on people, structures, and culture. But culture isn’t static—it evolves with every interaction, ambition, and shift in circumstance. As IT drives business transformation, new technologies reshape how people connect and collaborate. In this ever-changing landscape, a strong, adaptive culture is the key to lasting success.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Jitske Kramer, Corporate Anthropologist about what technology is doing to cultures and human systems and how AI can mess with the narrative.

TLDR
00:50  Introduction of Jitske Kramer and her book Navigating Tricky...

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In a new five-part mini-series, Reimagining Telecoms, we will explore these challenges through five distinct lenses: Growth, Networks, Simplification, Data & AI, and Regulation, uncovering lessons and insights relevant to telecom organizations and beyond.

This week, in the final episode of the mini-series, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Nik Willetts, CEO of TM Forum, to discuss growth—the telco industry’s biggest challenge—and how it intersects with Hyperscalers, innovation, and shapin...

Traditional businesses are transforming to enhance consumer engagement and operational efficiency by integrating advanced technologies, helping them stay competitive in the digital age; how can technology best support this transformation?

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Sandeep Seeripat, CIO at Twinings about how the 300-year-old tea company is undergoing a business transformation. They explore strategies to enhance consumer engagement and operational efficiency, and how Twinings is repositioning itself in the digital world.

TLDR
00:40 Introduction of Sandeep Seeripat
04:03 Rob is confused about by the AI's overly sycophantic behavior
07:20 Conversation with...

[AAA] 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. 

This week, in what may or may not be our 100th episode, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to James Wilson, AI Ethicist and Lead Gen AI Architect and Philip Harker, Advisory Lead, Insights and Data at Capgemini UK, about exploring the deep importance of ethics as we move forward into the intelligence age. 

TLDR
00:42 Is this really our 100th epis...

Understanding the true environmental cost of digital innovation is crucial for governments aiming to embed sustainability into their digital delivery processes. Governments are embedding sustainability into the heart of digital delivery. Can governments ensure that their digital advancements contribute positively to the environment while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness in their services?

This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk to Liam Walsh, Chief Architect, and Paul Mukherjee, CTO at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to explore how the UK government is embedding sustainability into the heart of digital delivery—and holding tech su...

At Knowledge 2025, the spotlight is on big announcements and bold innovations—but we’re taking you behind the scene!. 
In this two-part special, we dive into the engine driving ServiceNow’s evolution, with exclusive conversations you won’t hear on the main stage.

In Part 2, Dave, Esmee, and Rob speak with Amanda Joslin, Senior Director of Platform and AI Innovation Product Management at ServiceNow, about the latest announcements from Knowledge 2025. They discuss how AI is being embedded directly into workflows and customer experiences through proactive, intelligent automation.

TLDR
02:09 Introduction of Amanda Joslin and Knowledge...

At Knowledge 2025, the spotlight is on big announcements and bold innovations—but we’re taking you behind the scene!. 
In this two-part special, we dive into the engine driving ServiceNow’s evolution, with exclusive conversations you won’t hear on the main stage.

In Part 1, Dave, Esmee, and Rob sit down with Karel van der Poel, SVP of Products at ServiceNow, to reflect on a decade of growth. They explore what it really takes to drive meaningful innovation—not just scattered ideas, but a clear vision, the ability to scale, and a focus on lasting impact.

TLDR

TechnoVision 2025 by Capgemini helps business leaders and technologists understand and prioritize emerging technologies. It provides a clear view of tech trends, guiding decision-makers to enhance organizational effectiveness. TechnoVision acts as a beacon in the evolving technology landscape.

In this very special episode, Dave, Esmee, and Rob talk in detail with the Capgemini Data-Powered Innovation Jam podcast team, featuring Ron Tolido, CTO and CIO Insight & Data Global; Weiwei Feng, Global Tech Lead AI & Generative AI; and Robert Engels, Head Global AI Lab. They explore the seven containers in TechnoVision 2025, which organizes current trends into distinct areas that...

This year is the year that AI moves from the individual assistant to the collective and autonomous - from co-pilots to agent to agent integration.  But what do we know of its collective impact and how does humanity fit in?

This week’s Easter Special, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Anders Indset, about his work (Ex Machina and the Singularity Paradox), capability of infinite progress, humane capitalism, where might the human find themselves in an AGI world and does the intersection of quantum and AI make the chance of us living in a simulation more lik...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the last day, we have two separate episodes lined up to explore how AI is affectin...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the last day, we have two separate episodes lined up to explore how AI is affectin...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the second day, we have three separate episodes lined up to deep dive into industries such as insurance, telecom, and retail, all linked to GenAI, data, and innovation.

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the second day, we have three separate episodes lined up to deep dive into industries such as...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the second day, we have three separate episodes lined up to deep dive into industries such as...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the first day, we have 3 separate episodes lined up to discuss Google AI strategy & vision, practica...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The Cloud Realities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring Google guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the first day, we have 3 separate episodes lined up to discuss Google AI strategy...

Hello Las Vegas — we’ve arrived for Google Cloud Next 2025!

Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Hot drop coming through! The #CloudRealities podcast team has landed in electric Las Vegas—and you know what they say: what happens in Vegas normally stays in Vegas... but in this case, we’re bringing 8 incredible conversations in the coming days with inspiring guests who are shaping the future of cloud, data, and AI.

On the first day, we have 3 separate episodes lined up to discuss Google AI strategy & vision, practica...

As organizations increasingly integrate Gen AI into their operations, it's crucial to consider the technology's environmental impact. However, only 12% of executives report that their organizations measure Gen AI's footprint, and just 20% prioritize its environmental footprint among the top five factors when choosing or developing models. Despite this, Gen AI's ability to rapidly process large volumes of data helps organizations improve customer experience, optimize operations, drive growth, and foster innovation.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Lewis Richards, Microsoft Chief Sustainability Officer, UK about the pivotal shift in global sustainability perspectives, the challenges of fostering...

AI and Generative AI are transforming cybersecurity by enhancing threat detection and response. These technologies offer unmatched accuracy and efficiency, making them crucial for protecting sensitive data. As cyber threats evolve, integrating AI into security strategies is essential.
 
This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Corence Klop, CISO at the Rabobank, about the expanding role of AI and Generative AI in cybersecurity, and how to begin integrating these technologies into your organization.

TLDR
04:45 Rob is confused about wrong AI information for a hotel booking
08:20 Conversation with Corence
33:40 How can you identify t...

The telecom industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This shift is creating new business opportunities and services but also brings significant challenges in transformation and modernization. In a new five-part mini-series, Reimagining Telecoms, we will explore these challenges through five distinct lenses: Growth, Networks, Simplification, Data & AI, and Regulation, uncovering lessons and insights relevant to telecom organizations and beyond.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Osman Peermamode, Director, Data & Analytics at Vodafone Group about data and how can it act as a differentiator and does regulation both help or hinder that progress?

TLDR<...

In the complex technology landscape, getting the people right is crucial for success. When the right team is in place, the technology will naturally follow, leading to impactful outcomes. Building a strong team ensures that the organization can navigate challenges and leverage technological advancements effectively.

This week, Dave, Esmee and Rob talk to Amy Williams, Managing Director, Cloud Services Product Lead at Barclays about the importance of good leadership and why is it important in today’s Cloud landscape.

TLDR
04:43 Rob is confused about train information at stations
08:30 Conversation with Amy Williams
43:32 Po...