Cloud Realities

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 numbers – and a fun mix-up with round figures03:20 Reflecting on standout topics and memorable guests03:42 Scaling AI: Hyperscaler narratives, tech momentum, and the adoption gap13:18 Ethics in the AI era – how organizations can and must stay grounded18:12 The human factor: Why “human-in-the-loop” matters more than ever27:29 Sovereignty in tech – geopolitics, shifting narratives, and the rise of Sovereign AI37:16 A deep dive into Telco – highlights from our dedicated mini-series53:48 2025 tech trends with Gene Kim55:33 Listener Q&A: Daniel Delicate on Cynefin vs. IT operating models1:01:44 Andrea Kis on keeping humanity in fast-paced tech1:06:09 Ezhil Suresh on how we prep and record our podcast with top-tier guests1:11:38 John Eaton-Griffin on how guests have shaped our thinking1:17:19 A word from our co-host1:19:57 Looking ahead to Season 5: AAA episodes, new industry mini-series, and Hyperscaler events1:22:09 Meet our new AI companions: Substack and the Cloud Realities chatbot1:23:40 What’s next for us this summerHostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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. TLDR00:55 Introduction of Timo Elliott02:40 Rob shares his confusion about misleading online ads08:06 In-depth conversation with Timo46:32 Rethinking control in enterprise systems1:00:00 Brunch at a Paris café or joining an event?GuestTimo Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timoelliott/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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 archeologist, found GreenOps is 50 years old 30:46 Having some drinks in the summer Guest James Hall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-f-hall/ Hosts Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/ Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/ Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/Production Marcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/ Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/ Sound Ben Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/ Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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 cybersecurityThis 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.TLDR00:46 Meet Catherine and James – intros and backgrounds02:22 Rob is confused about students using AI09:40 Deep dive with Catherine and James on the current state and future of Quantum48:01 Quantum isn’t just tech—it’s a whole new way of thinking1:01:37 Seize the moment and bringing external users onto quantum hardwareGuestCatherine Vollgraff Heidweiller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmv-vollgraffheidweiller/James Goeders: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-goeders-8876a7164/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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. TLDR01:38 Introduction to Vivek and the bonus episode03:48 In-depth conversation with Vivek Badrinath42:13 Can empathy become a strategic KPI in telecom?47:20 Event in Uzbekistan and doubling down on the digital ecosystem GuestVivek Badrinath: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekbadrinath/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/with Praveen Shankar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveen-shankar-capgemini/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

[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.TLDR05:22 Access All Areas: This third episode focuses on the products we build that drive outcomes.06:52 Conversation with Jasmin about our digital products37:06 What makes it better to be in a product centric organization? 54:00 Conclusion of the seven Big Rocks and how to smash them59:00 Going on the Blue Bell railway HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/with Jasmin Booth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminbooth15/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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. TLDR00:50  Introduction of Jitske Kramer and her book Navigating Tricky Times02:05  Rob shares his confusion about saying “thank you” to AI07:25  In-depth conversation with Jitske Kramer11:30  Visual communication via tattoos even at AWS re:Invent25:00 Corporate framing and what's going on within organizations today46:22  Exploring the contrast between the natural pace of human transformation and the rapid acceleration of technology54:14  Editing the documentary Patterns of Life55:56  Esmee’s 2x Outro speed surprises everyone!Guest:Jitske Kramer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jitskekramer/https://jitskekramer.substack.com/Tricky Times event: https://tricky-times.com/events/navigating-tricky-times-leading-through-the-messy-middle-of-change/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/ SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/ 'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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 shaping the industry's future. TLDR01:05 Introduction of Nik and an update on the mini-series03:41 Main conversation with Nik Willetts29:10 Navigating the balance between collaboration and competition34:57 Looking ahead to DTW Ignite, the Dolomites, and Brunello wine, served by sommelier Rob GuestNik Willetts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikwilletts/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/with Praveen Shankar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveen-shankar-capgemini/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

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.TLDR00:40 Introduction of Sandeep Seeripat04:03 Rob is confused about by the AI's overly sycophantic behavior07:20 Conversation with Sandeep about three Centuries of Innovation at Twinings43:18 What if brands created with the sensitivity of an artist?53:25 Capture that perfect picture in South AfricaGuestSandeep Seeripat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepseeripat/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini

[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.  TLDR00:42 Is this really our 100th episode or not?04:38 What is a team AAA episode and welcoming James and Philip06:12 Rob sets the stage, why AI Ethics matters09:42 In-depth chat with James and Philip59:11 Exploring AI and quantum as innovation boosters1:06:00 A quiet weekend and Safe AI for KidsGuestsJames Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-1938a1/Philip Harker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-harker-243300/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/'Cloud Realities' is an original podcast from Capgemini