When we talk about the future of IT services, the conversation often revolves around the potential of AI and automation. But what does that really mean when applied at scale, across legacy infrastructure, evolving customer expectations, and real-world operational challenges?

In today's episode, I sat down with Manish Tandon, CEO of Zensar Technologies, to explore that very question. What emerged was a refreshingly pragmatic take on a space often overwhelmed by buzzwords.

Manish leads a global organisation that's helping some of the UK's biggest businesses not just integrate AI, but rethink the foundation of their IT strategies. We discussed how Zensar is combining automation with a philosophy they call "experience-led everything," a human-centric approach that puts users, not systems, at the centre of transformation. Through this lens, he explained how seemingly simple shifts like applying AI to reduce technical debt or drive internal engagement can lead to significant performance gains and improved outcomes across entire organisations.

What I found particularly powerful was how Manish challenges the language around AI. He sees today's wave of generative and agentic AI as an evolution of long-standing automation principles, not a reinvention. That mindset is helping clients cut through the noise and focus on impact, such as faster delivery cycles, measurable productivity boosts, and tools that empower rather than replace human potential.

We also touched on the ethical implications of AI, the nuances of implementation across different geographies, and the value of responsible AI governance at the application level, not just in principle. If your business is looking to adopt AI in a way that scales sensibly while delivering lasting value, this episode offers insights you won't want to miss.

So how are you preparing to balance automation with empathy in your IT strategy, and are you building for systems or for people?