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Most organizations struggle to balance building their own AI infrastructure with leveraging reliable, scalable solutions. Oded Sagie and Perry Krug reveal how partnering with Pinecone transformed their approach—turning complex infrastructure challenges into seamless, "boringly reliable" systems. Discover how this shift unlocked faster innovation, lower operational overhead, and the peace of mind to focus on delivering real customer value.In this episode, you'll break down the core architectural innovations behind Pinecone's platform, including its adaptive indexing and serverless design, which support workloads from low-latency high-throughput applications to massive multi-tenant environments. Oded shares real-world lessons on choosing build vs. buy—highlighting the long-term costs of ownership versus operational simplicity and scalability. Perry dives into how Pinecone's managed vector database facilitates rapid deployment on cloud platforms like Azure, helping teams focus on their core product, not infrastructure.If you're navigating the complexity of deploying AI at scale—especially in industries demanding high reliability and performance—this episode is your game plan. Perfect for data engineers, AI leaders, and CTOs ready to ditch operational headaches and embrace "boringly reliable" technology that accelerates innovation while minimizing risk. Tune in to discover how to build smarter, scale faster, and focus on what truly matters—your customers.Apple @ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654Spotify @ https://open.spotify.com/show/43XcU8A1dsNfW3YGT8KXhp?si=62e09c6df65b4dc9&nd=1&dlsi=e9e6a138e7064929Youtube @ https://www.youtube.com/@generatenowpodcast/featuredConnect with Oded @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/odedkal/Perry @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrykrug/James @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcaton/

In this episode, James Caton (Microsoft) interviews Srinivasaa HG (Wipro) to discuss the advancements and challenges in Data and AI. They explore the important of Wipro being a finalist for Partner of the Year for Data and AI, the impact of integrated offerings like Foundry IQ and Work IQ, and Wipro's strategies for distinguishing itself across industries. Conversation topics include Wipro's venture investments, acquisitions, and the importance of data readiness for AI value realization.Connect with Srinivasaa at https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasaahg/?originalSubdomain=ukand with James at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcaton/

James Caton hosts Pavan Ganugapati, EMEA Leader at Accenture for the Microsoft Alliance, discusses the historic 20th consecutive Partner of the Year award, and the impact strategic partnership with Microsoft. The episode explores AI transformation, sovereign cloud, and leveraging sovereignty as a strategic advantage. Pavan emphasizes that sovereignty is not just about compliance but also a driver for value creation, with Microsoft technology supporting a full-stack sovereign architecture to adapt to evolving regulations.

In this episode, James Caton interviews Christoph Wollersheim from Egon Zehnder, discussing the impact of AI on organizational structures and leadership. They explore how AI is reshaping traditional pyramid structures into rectangles, the roles of AI builders and transformers, and the importance of cultural adaptation in AI transformations.Apple @ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654Spotify @ https://open.spotify.com/show/43XcU8A1dsNfW3YGT8KXhp?si=62e09c6df65b4dc9&nd=1&dlsi=e9e6a138e7064929Youtube @ https://www.youtube.com/@generatenowpodcast/featuredConnect with Christoph @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-wollersheim-a4b58744/Connect with James @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcaton/

Most companies overlook a game-changing secret behind their AI success — but KPMG's Cherie Gartner reveals how strategically embedding Microsoft's AI tools has transformed their entire operation. Imagine leveraging AI not just for clients, but first for your own teams, creating a ripple effect of innovation and efficiency that competitors can't match. This episode uncovers the real partnership behind KPMG's industry-leading AI adoption, offering insights you won't hear anywhere else.See how KPMG's "Client Zero" approach harnesses Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, and new toolkits like Agent 365 to embed AI deeply into audits, tax, advisory, and legal services. You'll discover the frameworks and best practices that are setting new standards for enterprise AI. Learn how this internal "test kitchen" accelerates client-ready solutions — with real-world examples from Telstra and Vodafone demonstrating the tangible results of their AI journey.We break down the evolving role of platforms like KPMG Workbench, a unified, secure engine built on Azure that manages AI agents at scale. Cherie Gartner shares how this platform is revolutionizing professional services, enabling seamless AI deployment across industries and geographies. Plus, get a glimpse into the future of the Microsoft-KPMG alliance, where trust, transparency, and innovative co-creation are powering a new era of client transformation.Why does all this matter? Because in the race for AI dominance, the difference isn't just technology — it's strategic internal adoption, relentless experimentation, and a partner ecosystem that fosters rapid evolution. This episode is essential listening for leaders eager to embed AI deeply, scale securely, and stay ahead in a competitive landscape.Whether you're a C-suite executive, a tech innovator, or an AI enthusiast, you'll come away with proven frameworks, inspiring examples, and a clear vision of how to unlock your organization's full AI potential. The future belongs to those who act first — don't miss your chance to learn how KPMG and Microsoft are shaping that future today.Connect with Cherie at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-gartner/Connect with James at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcaton/Video at https://youtu.be/tMdNTnJIp1cOn Apple at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654

In this episode with Pinecone CEO Ash Ashutosh, James explores why Pinecone stands out in the AI landscape. Pinecone is designed to handle billions of vectors with low latency, transforming data into actionable knowledge, thus enhancing business processes and decision-making. James speaks with Ash about Pinecone's strategic partnership with Microsoft Azure, and Pinecone empowers enterprises to fully leverage AI's potential. The focus on context-aware systems provides real-time, relevant solutions, making AI more valuable and aligning with essential AI-first strategies for modern businesses.Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8xWvZ8jTZUConnect with Ash @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashashutosh/.Connect with James @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcaton/

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Dmitry Tikhomirov, VP, Head of Cloud Technology and Delivery, EMEA and APAC, EPAM Systems, on the Agentic conversations he is having in Industry. We discuss:• a project from the insurance industry where Agentic AI-driven claim submission and risk flagging significantly speed up decision-making.• how EPAM is upskilling their workforce across all job functions to leverage AI, including retraining sellers to articulate AI value and training engineers in AI for business solutions.• Dmitry's advice that companies start experimenting with AI to avoid missing opportunities for basic capabilities, and then continuously evolve with the fast-moving industry YouTube:https://youtu.be/52HFtUvIfVYApple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43XcU8A1dsNfW3YGT8KXhp?si=97412552ae4c439aDmitry Tikhomirov:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmitrytikhomirov/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybook

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Charlie Doubek, Global VP, Agentic AI Leader, Cloud and Security, NTT DATA, on the Agentic conversations he is having in Industry. We discuss:• how multi-agent models are revolutionizing supply chains, driving significant improvements in efficiency• importance of red-team agents to confirm and thus improve compliance and accuracy in multi-agent orchestration• the shift from experimentation to deployment for Agentic AI, focusing on achieving ROI leveraging the expansive Microsoft ecosystem.YouTube:https://youtu.be/VXk06HKqkk4Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43XcU8A1dsNfW3YGT8KXhp?si=97412552ae4c439aCharlie Doubek:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-doubek-6476803/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybook

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Sheba Fernando, Vice President, AI Solutions and Presales, LTIMindtree, on the Agentic conversations she is having in Industry. We discuss:• an example of how Agentic AI transformed the operations of a building automation customer, reducing call handling time by 60% and significantly lowering operational costs• how LTI Mindtree is rethinking the traditional AI COE, to include specialized components such as agentic frameworks, reasoning and planning engines, memory systems, and execution environments. • the need for ‘watcher' agents, which will monitor incoming signals and alert for anomalies, driving consistency and enterprise value for customers. .YouTube:https://youtu.be/7jwYA3ZxOmsApple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43XcU8A1dsNfW3YGT8KXhp?si=97412552ae4c439aSheba Fernando:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheba-fernando-40060619/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybook

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Roshan Gya, CEO Capgemini Invent, on the Agentic conversations he is having in Industry. We discuss:• the shift towards AI as a utility, and helping clients understand which parts of their value chain to disrupt or move incrementally.• rethinking human-AI chemistry for hybrid teams working together seamlessly.• a focus on outcome-based projects instead of deliverables to show real proof points and value creation.HBR article referenced:https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/insights/research-library/hbr-guide-to-generative-ai-for-managersYouTube:https://youtu.be/z7VZswRV_ysApple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/generate-now/id1566458654Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43XcU8A1dsNfW3YGT8KXhp?si=97412552ae4c439aRoshan Gya:https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshan-soorunsingh-gya-5b29a12/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybook

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Diego Jarne, Principal, at PWC US, on the Agentic conversations he is having in Industry. We discuss:how Agentic AI is reshaping PwC's business model, moving from billable hours to outcome-based and agent workflow-run pricing models. how PwC's sales conversations are shifting to focus on how agents can drive business outcomes: reducing onboarding time, compressing sales cycles, and increasing software delivery velocityan example of PwC's agentic solution automating the review of high-risk deal documentation for a large tech company, expediting the process thru end-to-end task automation.Youtube:https://youtu.be/PPcxKEapdYMDiego Jarne:https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegojarne/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybookAll platforms:https://linktr.ee/GenerateNowPodcast

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Ed Bobrin, Executive Director, Technology Consulting, AI & Data, EY LLC, on the Agentic conversations he is having in Industry. We discuss:the value of Agentic AI to integrate apps in the enterprise ecosystem, how Agentic AI is causing customers to rethink their Centers of Excellence, focusing more on orchestration, multi-agent architecture, and governance.the value of the Microsoft ecosystem, its openness, enterprise-wide integration, and ability to simplify technology, allowing clients to focus on bigger challengesYoutube: https://youtu.be/NricI5fRubgEd Bobrin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardbobrin/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybookAll platforms:https://linktr.ee/GenerateNowPodcast

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Eleni Rachaniotou, Manufacturing Industry Leader at Microsoft, on conversations he is having with customer about Agentic AI.We discuss how:Agentic AI bridges the digital divide between IT and OT technologies, enabling seamless communication with machines.It offers new revenue streams through integration and orchestration of agentic ecosystems.Implementing an AI innovation board can govern and optimize AI solutions at the portfolio level.Experimenting with agentic AI can enhance human abilities and productivity.YouTube:https://youtu.be/tkFvcGofoWEEleni Rachaniotouhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/eleni-rachaniotou/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybookAll platforms: https://linktr.ee/GenerateNowPodcastMicrosoft:https://aka.ms/generatenow

James Caton interviews Mike Edmonds, Retail Industry Leader at Microsoft, on the topics he is seeing in the Retail. Human-Centered Approach to Agentic AI: how Estee Lauder and other companies are implementing agentic AI to enhance consumer insights and improve marketing efficiency.Spectrum of AI Agents: Delve into the different types of AI agents, from retrieval to autonomous orchestration, and their impact on productivity and creativity.Empowering Retail with AI: Discover how agentic AI is transforming the retail and consumer goods industry by automating workflows and enhancing customer experiences.Youtube: https://youtu.be/3udZrL-ATy0Mike Edmonds:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeledmondsAgentic AI James Caton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybookAll platforms: https://linktr.ee/GenerateNowPodcast

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Rick Lievano, Telco Industry CTO at Microsoft, on the Agentic trends he is seeing in the Telco Industry;AI Adoption in Telcos: Rick Lievano discusses how telcos are becoming early adopters of generative AI, transforming from traditional communication service providers to digital service providers.AI Agents as Domain Experts: The conversation highlights the deployment of AI agents as domain experts in various telco business processes, enhancing customer service and network operations.Turnkey Solutions Over POCs: Rick emphasizes the shift from proof of concepts to turnkey solutions, as telcos seek scalable, ready-to-deploy AI solutions to drive real business outcomes.Youtube: https://youtu.be/c9ADFN7YQscRick Lievano:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricklievano/James Caton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybookAll platforms: https://linktr.ee/GenerateNowPodcast

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Daragh Morrissey, Banking and Financial Services Industry Leader at Microsoft, on Agentic AI trends in he is seeing in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance industries.Transformational Impact of Agentic AI: Explore how agentic AI is revolutionizing business processes, enhancing ROI, and reshaping customer interactions in the BFSI industry.The Evolution of Contact Centers: Discover how AI is transforming contact centers by reducing wait times, improving service quality, and enabling self-service capabilities.Super Agents and Business Efficiency: Learn about the concept of super agents and how they are driving efficiency by managing multiple tasks and allowing businesses to focus on strategic roles.Youtube: https://youtu.be/6wkZXxxC4Ys?si=lp1I_AogIT4Fm2XyDaragh Morrissey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daraghmorrissey/James Caton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybookAll platforms: https://linktr.ee/GenerateNowPodcast

This interview is part of a Microsoft Agentic AI Playbook, the download link is below.James Caton interviews Byungsu Kim, Gaming Industry Leader at Microsoft, on conversations he is having with customer about Agentic AI.Generative AI in Gaming: Explore how generative AI is transforming game development, from production pipelines to player experiences.Agentic AI Innovations: Discover the role of agentic AI in automating and enhancing game design, including art asset generation and localization.Future of Gaming with AI: Delve into the potential of AI to accelerate game production and open new revenue streams in the gaming industry.Youtube: https://youtu.be/HmKeil22YdYByungsu Kim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/metamorp/James Caton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcatonAgentic AI Playbook:https://aka.ms/AgenticPartnerPlaybook

Learn how many enterprises have monetized their LLMs! Hazem El-Hammamy from Microsoft shares how you can leverage Azure AI Foundry to monetize your LLMs, SLMs, and other agentic IP. We discuss:Model Catalog: Access to first-party and third-party models like GPT-4, Meta's Llama, and more.Models as a Service: Simplified deployment and monetization without needing your own GPUs.Workshops & Events: Upcoming sessions on real-time intelligence, data warehousing, and AI insights with Microsoft Fabric.Success Stories: Featuring partners like NTT DATA with their Tsuzumi model.Stay tuned for more updates and join us in our upcoming workshops! #MicrosoftAzure #AI #LLM #TechInnovationOur weekly meetup on Azure AI topics is at https://aka.ms/meetup . Connect with us on LinkedIn at Hazem El-Hammamyand James Caton .Chapters• 00:00 Introduction to Generative AI Monetization• 00:58 Introduction to Monetizing LLMs• 04:35 Understanding Models as a Service• 09:48 Live Demo of Model Catalog• 12:34 Exploring Azure Marketplace• 17:48 Model Onboarding Process• 27:16 Fine-Tuning Models as a Service• 30:49 Q&A and Audience Interaction

Host James Caton speaks with leaders from TCS and Proximus to explore how they are leveraging GitHub Copilot to transform IT service delivery in the telco sector. By integrating Microsoft Generative AI solutions, these companies are achieving remarkable results that align with industry standards.This episode covers:How Microsoft AI solutions like GitHub Copilot are enabling efficiency in IT delivery and delivering faster business outcomes.Key changes in the telco industry and the importance of AI skilling for developers.How Microsoft generative AI is setting new standards for efficiency and performance.The importance of effective change management to ensure successful implementation.#GenerativeAI #Microsoft #AzureOpenAI #GithubCopilot

Host James Caton, and Deepak Khosla at LTIMindtree, discuss how the UN High Commission for Refugees uses Azure OpenAI to accelerate on-the-ground crisis response around the world, bringing hope and relief to the most vulnerable in their greatest time of need.  This episode covers: How implementing Azure AI in humanitarian organizations can have a significant impact on response times and efficiency. High-quality data is crucial for the success of AI projects. An agile approach allows for experimentation and scalability. Effective search capabilities and prompt engineering are key to obtaining accurate and relevant information. Change management and continuous monitoring are essential for successful implementation and user adoption. Learn More: About Microsoft AI About LTIMindtree More on these leaders: James Caton  Deepak Khosla #GenerativeAI  #Microsoft  #Azure  #AzureOpenAI  #Chatbot 

Join James Caton in an insightful conversation with Swapnil Belhe, the Head of Generative AI Center of Excellence at Wipro, as they delve into the transformative influence of generative AI on the airport experience. Achieving up to 40% gains w/ Azure OpenAI Service. Improving the customer experience, and airport revenues. Tips for data management, reducing AI hallucinations. The importance of secure, responsible AI design. Learn More:- About Microsoft AI - About Wipro More on these leaders:- James Caton  - Swapnil Belhe   

James chats with Mario López Baratas, VP & Chief Innovation Officer at Bravent about the power of Azure OpenAI Service to transform industry.  Tune in to learn:How Azure OpenAI Service is enabled for an on-premises environment, with confidential customer data.The impact of generative AI in a multi-lingual environment. How Bravent accelerated data insights for plant-floor technical and non-technical users alike.Learn more:About Microsoft AI Contact BraventFollow these leaders on LinkedIn:James Caton Mario López Baratas

James Caton chats with Anya FitzGibbon - Head of Data Governance and Delivery at Endeavour Energy. Together, they discuss the ideation, adoption, and company-wide embrace of their Azure OpenAI Service solution. Listen now to learn: How TCS helped Endeavour Energy build an internal solution leveraging their own data with Azure OpenAI Service. The value of a persona-based approach when deploying Azure OpenAI Service.How Endeavour Energy is adapting their internal culture to embrace generative AI.  Learn more:- TCS and Microsoft Cloud - Partner Innovation Experience    Follow these leaders on LinkedIn:  - James Caton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcaton/- Anya FitzGibbon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyafitzgibbon/- Girish Phadke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/girish-phadke-ab25034/

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