Getting the day underway
The Accelerators at TCS Summit commenced with an engaging welcome from co-hosts Adam Spencer and Amy Duggan, setting the stage with this year's theme The perpetually adaptable enterprise: Readiness in the era of AI & continuous change. Adam and Amy encouraged guests to share their ideas throughout the day via the interactive TCS TV Studio and by participating in the regular polls to be held throughout the event. This was followed by an Acknowledgment of Country by Wiradjuri woman, Hayley Pymont, Indigenous Marathon Project graduate and TCS Sydney Marathon Indigenous Running Ambassador. Hayley spoke with Amy Duggan about the positive impact running has had on her mental health, and the 50km ultra marathon Hayley will be running on New Year’s Eve.
The opening session finished with the first poll question of The Accelerators:
What do you consider the most significant challenge in transforming your enterprise into a perpetually adaptable organisation?
- Keeping pace with rapid technological advancements
- Attracting and cultivating the right talent and future-ready skills
- Redesigning strategy, operations, and systems to enhance agility and resilience
- Overcoming resistance to change and unlearning outdated paradigms
- Adapting to market volatility, ecosystem-centricity and unpredictable external factors
The Future Reimagined
Frank Diana, Managing Partner and Principal Futurist at TCS, opened The Accelerators at TCS Summit by guiding the leaders gathered in the room through a transformative journey encompassing history and the future.
Frank considered some of the key inventions and innovations in human evolution and how they have driven profound changes in society through history, explaining that "we are now entering a period that will be viewed as greater invention than we saw previously”.
Unlearning the past to rehearse the future
Frank also highlighted that the past is a powerful tool to predict and prepare for the future and stressed the importance of “unlearning” what we know about the past if we want to truly embrace the capabilities of emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI).
"Unlearning is one of the most difficult things you can do", explained Frank. “The rigidity that sets in as humans when we've learned something - it's a human experience that we all have that doesn't serve us well.’’
AI: The next technological revolution
He argued that AI is poised to follow a similar evolutionary path to its predecessors, and that leaders need to recognise familiar patterns and act accordingly. "AI is likely to take us to a level of knowledge attainment that is hard to imagine. This decade, in particular is shaping up to be a driver of this transformative change. By 2040, AI will have taken us to a level of change that will see our economic and geopolitical social systems completely transformed.”
Navigating the future for an adaptable enterprise
Speaking to the emerging leaders of tomorrow, Frank underscored the importance of adopting this mindset of unlearning in order to navigate the next decade of transformation, linking back to this year's theme as a call to action. “Managing a perpetually adaptable enterprise in this rapid change is not just a phrase, it's really something we have to embrace as leaders.”
In addition to learning from the past to rehearse for the future, Frank drew attention to the critical importance of diversity of thought, which enables our perspectives to change.
“We can apply the same journey we've been on before, and how we enter this journey is critically important. If we learn from history, there are ways to accelerate this path", he concluded.
The Future Reimagined
Future of AI & Technology: Dr. Harrick Vin & Siva Ganesan
9:36-9:56am AEDT
AI: From buzzword to business value
AI is already the next big technology revolution. But are businesses prepared for it?
In a fireside chat with Adam Spencer, Dr Harrick Vin, CTO, TCS, and Siva Ganesan, Global Head AI.Cloud, TCS, discussed the future of AI & tech and how businesses can leverage the potential benefits of AI to create real business value from revenue growth to cost savings, and improved customer experiences.
Harrick Vin set the scene around the transformative impacts of AI on business, explaining our growing dependence on AI to identify and solve problems. “We will soon see a shift from using AI to assist, to using it to augment and transform our decision making, ultimately making good people great people.
Ganesan focused on generative AI's transformative role in customer service, stating, "customer experience will be at the nucleus of this change. He gave an example of the call centre space which could see inbound calls ‘’vanishing in the future due to our ability to be more productive.’’
Unlocking the potential of AI
Referring to the TCS AI Global Business Study, they discussed the current state of AI and the strategic challenges GenAI pose to organisations including a lack of IT readiness, security and privacy concerns, and robust frameworks that ensure ethical and responsible use of AI.
Dr Vin explained that implementing AI "needs to start from business value," adding, "how you adapt to change rapidly is more important than predicting what will happen."
In contrast, the discussion also covered the essential steps businesses can take to truly benefit from AI and attain its real value. Key to benefiting from AI, they agreed, is adopting a digital culture that moves "from doing digital to being digital."
AI's impact on the workforce was also a key discussion point. Dr. Harrick emphasised that AI would create an "inherently hybrid" future where humans and machines augment each other, and businesses will need to adapt to these evolving roles.
Disruptive technologies of the future
Siva Ganesan brought an unexpected angle to the conversation shedding light on how organisations can learn how to better anticipate future disruptive technologies, such as quantum computing, by observing the arc of the AI revolution. He said, “enterprises will need to make sure that staff can touch and feel what AI is rather than read about it to see the opportunity that it provides.’’
Dr. Vin concluded the conversation by asking the audience to imagine the exponential potential of impact of AI. “While the IT revolution meant information and automation at fingertips, AI this will transform this into wisdom at your fingertips that can enable us to “make better decisions.”
You can download the TCS AI Global Business Study here: Reimagining business with AI
Future of AI & Technology
Future of ecosystems panel: Stephen Walters, Imche Veiga & Jon Whittle
Moderator: Michele Lemmens
9.58am-10.35am
The Future of Ecosystems
Stephen Walters, Chief Economist, Business Council of Australia, Imche Veiga, Group Executive for Ecosystems at Stone & Chalk, and Jon Whittle, CEO of Data61, CSIRO, joined us for a panel discussion on the future of ecosystems.
Moderated by Michele Lemmens, Head of Business Sustainability and CTO at TCS Asia Pacific. The discussion was eclectic and wide-ranging, covering the importance of collaboration in navigating organisational change, how to build hyper-responsive ecosystems, and the tangible benefits of enhanced collaboration for Australia's growth and competitive advantage.
Navigating economic and geopolitical challenges
Michele set the scene by introducing the concept of “up-ruption”, defining it as a key framework to achieving collective gain and sustainability in ecosystems. To frame the discussion, she outlined how economic and geopolitical tensions come together to create a backdrop for ecosystems in today's business landscape.
Jon Whittle highlighted the CSIRO's role as an enabler of ecosystems, by bringing people together internationally and nationally. “A well-functioning ecosystem is an iterative process - there is a need to make sure that the Government understands how what they do impacts the private sector.”
Stephen highlighted how the “curse of incumbency” of governments around the world – for example in New Zealand and the UK – added to this is the cost-of-living crisis and how inflation post COVID has been very slow to come down. The “compliance burden as governments try to deal with these things will be hard. More than ever, we need to make sure ecosystems are resilient, flexible and adaptable.”
Accelerating pace of change
Both Stephen and Jon agreed that the speed of change has increased significantly, requiring ecosystems to embrace resilience, speed and adaptability to navigate and thrive in the future. They encouraged future leaders to consider what the economy will look like in 10 years and reflect on what role they will play in re-shaping it.
Jon Whittle shifted the direction of the discussion, calling upon an existing quote from Mark Twain to underscore the challenge of predicting the future when AI is involved: "Things are very difficult to predict, especially the future". He discussed some of the mega trends on the horizon including climate change, digital disruption, geopolitical tensions, and AI. He reflected how when it comes to AI, in particular, we are still in the early days, and we need a balanced approach to unlock its transformative potential.
Keys to future ecosystem success
Imche Veiga was clear on the need for businesses to understand why they were choosing to collaborate before launching into the process. She shared examples of the problems inherent in jumping into a ‘just because’ collaboration and said, “a good ecosystem is judged on the quality its outcomes; you can learn from failure and trying again but scale for scales sake is misguided.”
Imche shared her views on the age-old question underpinning innovation in a competitive ecosystem, namely; how to differentiate what is worth scaling? “Leadership, frankly”, she proposed. “We need to decide what are the relevant problems for us to solve, and what innovations will help us get a step closer to that.” Imche shared some advice for future leaders in ecosystems. "Be really deliberate about what you are trying to achieve and consider how can you allow room for failure that can be quarantined".
Michele Lemmens concluded the panel discussion with some parting advice for future leaders on the ecosystem journey. “You might not have all the answers but certainly have some clear direction and checkpoints along the way".
Future of ecosystems
Future of business & workforce panel: Professor Sameer Hasija and Frances Valintine
Moderator: Priti Ambani
10.37-11.14am
The defining characteristics of future-fit businesses
Professor Sameer Hasija, Dean, Executive Education and Asia Campus, INSEAD, and Frances Valintine, Futurist, Educator and Author delivered an insight packed session, moderated by Priti Ambani, Country Head, TCS New Zealand into how leaders can build a future-fit business designed to thrive in the face of today’s challenges.
Priti set the scene by reflecting on the definition of a future-fit business in the context of today's rapidly evolving political and technological backdrop. “When we think of a future-fit business, we think of an enterprise that is ready to adapt, leverage tech for decision making, and harness the human potential of its people.”
Preparing for an evolving landscape
Frances kicked off the discussion by exploring paradigm shifts in the workforce that add to the challenge of maintaining a future-fit business, including a boom in Gen Z workers alongside declining birth rates and increased reliance on migrant workers. She posed the question of “how do we plan for a ten-year horizon where we are not going to have enough workers?” She explained, “this adds another layer of complexity before we even start to overlay the technological adoption that has to happen".
Sameer then steered the conversation to the shrinking lifespan of enterprises today and in the future, explaining how "the license to exist and do business is now determined by being ahead of everyone else". He challenged future leaders to question whether they are generally adding value to their markets, suggesting that “it is no longer about being good; it is now a question of surviving”.
Balancing goals with purpose
The discussion delved into two key takeaways; the need to balance goal-centricity with purpose; and the need for experimentation. On the former point, Frances urged emerging leaders to reflect on what role they want to play in this period of transformation and shift their perspectives from purely operational to an alignment on purpose.
Sameer complemented this argument, shifting the discussion to the question of purpose. “We need to make technology more human centric. For the first time, we may actually have tools available on our hands to not have to trade this off. To actually have goal centricity and purpose centricity at the same time".
There was consensus on the panel, however, that a time when the challenges facing businesses are more complex than ever, it's critical that leaders understand the kind of organisations they need to build, and the mindset and leadership styles required to lead them.
Leading the business of the future
To conclude the session, Priti asked both panellists for their perspectives on what leadership style is necessary to navigate the next decade of transformation. Sameer discussed why curiosity is at the core of future-ready leadership. “The biggest scientific breakthrough is recognising our own ignorance. When we realise, we don't have answers, we start searching for them. The most important leadership quality is recognising ignorance and doing something about it. A constant ability to do this is the golden mantra in my opinion”. Frances added her perspective, underscoring the importance of adapting to get the most out of your team, whether it be the board level or the emerging Gen Z workers.
Rounding off his point on the importance of experimentation, Sameer spoke to examples of enterprises like Nokia and Blockbuster who failed to adopt a mindset of curiosity and were ultimately left behind. “An organisation that does not learn is one that will cease to exist”, he concluded.
Future of business & workforce
Fireside discussion
Future of sustainability: Cameron Kerr and Adam Spencer
11.16-11.26am AEDT
Embracing environmental stewardship
Cameron Kerr AO, CEO, Taronga Conservation Foundation, joined Adam Spencer for a discussion on the future of sustainability, the importance of businesses embracing environmental stewardship and the potential for new technologies to revolutionise the future of sustainability.
Earlier this year, Cameron and Adam both spent time working with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and it’s clear that the application of AI and digital tech to sustainability initiatives around the world has changed their perspective. For example, Cameron highlighted the fascinating application of using “large language models to analyse sound predictions and correlate them with animal behaviours to understand the secret love language of a platypus.”
Cameron and the Taronga Conservation Foundation aim to address global challenges, such as climate change and resource scarcity, while also focusing on solutions to address local issues. Cameron spoke about the foundation’s work to rewild land in key biodiversity hotspots and their hatch program that “offers innovators with great ideas the funding to get started.”
What can conservation teach us about business?
The parallels to leading a business are clear – the need to adapt and innovate but also ensure that activities align with broader societal and environmental goals.
The discussion turns to education and promoting best-practice sustainability behaviour, across teams and visitors. Cameron offered the bush fire training program the foundation created for vets to become first responders in crisis situations as an example. The ability to “codify and repurpose” this learning has turned it into a product that could be sent to other locations around the world.
Technology and sustainability
Adam instead focused on the “AI and VR experiences” that could be created for children indicating how this could help to “ignite a spark and inspire future careers in the sector.”
Finally, Cameron stressed “the question is not how AI and technology is going to impact our business but where isn’t it going to affect our business. More than anything, our role will be to show leadership and how it can be done.”
Future of sustainability
Future competitor: Madison de Rozario OAM and Amy Duggan
11.28am-11.48am AEDT
Embracing change and adaptability in the world of elite sports
Madison de Rozario OAM took to the stage for a fireside discussion with Amy Duggan. A five-time Paralympian and a fierce advocate for people with a disability, Madi won the silver medal in the wheelchair marathon at the recent Paris Olympics and just a few days later crossed the finish line first in her field at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS.
Madi said that when it comes to change, the world of sport is among the most demanding arenas. Dealing with unforeseen circumstances and challenges are intrinsic to the world of athletic excellence, but with the right approach this can lead to opportunities and remarkable achievements. She says her approach and mindset to sport has changed drastically from when she went to her first games as a 14-year-old.
“Sport like every other industry, sets a pathway for what it expects of people in it, and I struggled a lot with that. I spent the first half of my career trying so hard to be somebody that I had no potential of ever being, but I thought that’s what success looked like.”
Surviving in a world that is driven by competition is one thing, thriving is another and Madi believes the ability to make difficult choices, to embrace adaptability and remain open to collaboration are the key to thriving.
The impact of technology on athletic performance
The role of technology in sporting success – whether individual achievement or the elevation of an entire discipline – is easy to underplay. As an elite wheelchair athlete, Madi makes a direct connection between technology, innovation and success.
“My first Games in Beijing. I raced in a borrowed race chair that was maybe worth like $3,000 that didn’t quite fit me, and it was aluminium alloy. And now I’m racing in a race chair that’s worth about USD$50,000 and built by Sauber a Formula 1 company.”
In the competitive world of sports, resilience and mental toughness are critical for athletes to be able to manage pressure and expectations. ‘While the future for women and Paralympians in sport is exciting, the starting point now for new athletes is so much higher and competitive than it ever was before,” she says.
“Sport presents us with what we could be and as a result of increased awareness it's great that we have companies that want to invest in us.”
Future competitor
The perpetually adaptable enterprise: Frank Diana
11.49am-12.09pm AEDT
Accelerating the future
Frank Diana, Managing Partner and Principal Futurist at TCS, returned to the stage to conclude The Accelerators. In a fireside chat with TCS Summit co-host, Adam Spencer, Frank recapped the key insights shared by our inspiring speakers and panellists this morning.
Frank highlighted that the pace at which businesses need to anticipate changes is only expected to accelerate, and leaders need to prepare themselves to become future-fit in an era of unprecedented digital acceleration and perpetual change.
Preparing the next generation for an AI future
This fireside discussion prompted a lively Q&A with the audience, where a throw microphone was shared throughout the lecture hall. One of the key questions posed to Frank enquired about how well we are preparing the next generation to live in a future with AI. Frank responded by underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary education that teaches us transferrable ‘soft skills’ like critical thinking. He argued this is more important for navigating the future than hard skills in STEM.
“Education itself is not talked about enough. It’s always been the bridge between eras, and if we believe we are living between eras, education has to be that bridge. In a world of disinformation, how do we nurture critical thinking in the next generation?”
Automating the future
Another audience member asked how businesses can best prepare themselves for a future of scaled up automation. Frank outlined examples of industries where necessity has created space for automation, such as the emergence of care robots in response to an ageing population globally. He deduced that “proactively dealing with unintended consequences is the path forward”. He added that “we're at the precipice of the need for global focus on these institutions that help us manage the world that we see coming. Does the global world insist to do those things? And that's a very good question.”
Unlearning what we know about AI
Finally, the Q&A concluded with a final question about what we should unlearn about AI, drawing from the themes of ‘unlearning’ discussed earlier in the day. Frank outlined that there are two sides to this coin. The positive side, which is the fact we are likely to view AI's potential through the lens of our current world, which is limiting. Secondly, we must consider the disruptive side: we need to “unlearn our naivety and appreciate that there can be a downside to AI, and we need to manage the risks”.
It’s been a phenomenal morning at The Accelerators at TCS Summit! We’ll share video highlights from today on our social pages, so make sure you’re following us on LinkedIn and Instagram
The perpetually adaptable enterprise
The Accelerators at TCS Summit Recap
Here are five key takeaways from Day 1 of TCS Summit Asia Pacific 2024:
- The importance of unlearning for navigating the next decade of transformation - Frank Diana, Managing Partner and Principal Futurist at TCS, opened and closed ‘The Accelerators at TCS Summit’ highlighting the necessity to view AI's potential through the lens of our current world, which can be limiting. We must also consider the disruptive side of AI in order to effectively manage the risks.
- Balancing the business goal with human purpose – Dr Harrick Vin, CTO, TCS argued that AI must be viewed through the lens of business value first. He commented that businesses will need to adapt to the changing role of people in business as AI would create an "inherently hybrid" future where humans and machines will augment each other.
- The impact of AI on sustainability and conservation will reach far beyond what we expect - Cameron Kerr AO, CEO, Taronga Foundation highlighted both the work they have been doing to rewild land in key biodiversity hotspots and the fascinating application of using “large language models to understand the secret love language of a platypus.”
- Curiosity will be at the core of future-ready leadership – Professor Sameer Hasija, Dean, Executive Education and Asia Campus, INSEAD stressed the importance of recognising our own ignorance. A constant ability to do this is the golden mantra in my opinion”. Frances Valintine, Futurist, Educator and Author added her perspective. Sameer spoke to examples of enterprises like Nokia and Blockbuster who failed to adopt a mindset of curiosity and were ultimately left behind.
- Leadership means identifying the right problems to solve – In an era of rapid change and competing areas of innovation, true leadership means deciding what problems are relevant for us to solve and taking active steps to solving them. Imche Veiga, Group Executive for Ecosystems at Stone & Chalk, explored that future leaders must set clear guardrails for what they want to achieve, while allowing buffer room to fail, in order to see growth.
