Cognizant Podcasts

Cognizant recently became the first global IT services company to receive accredited ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for its AI management system. It underscores a commitment to responsible AI development and deployment and for a company of over 400,000 associates, it also represents a huge effort to create the tools and processes that made it possible.

This week, Pamela speaks with Alexis Samuel, SVP and Head of Global Delivery Excellence, and Abhay Kukreja, Corporate IT Cloud Management Office Leader, about Cognizant’s approach to responsible AI compliance. They explain why AI governance isn’t just a technical challenge but a cultural shift that requires organization-wide collaboration. The discussion highlights Cognizant’s F.A.S.T. Principles, a streamlined framework for ethical AI, and some of the lessons learned on the journey to ISO42K. Discover how compliance can fuel AI innovation, why responsible AI matters, and how anyone can become a more effective AI user.

Discussed in this episode:

• Why AI governance requires a culture shift, not just a process change
• Compliance as a strategic lever for AI innovation
• The F.A.S.T. Principles: Cognizant’s framework for responsible AI
• How to be an effective generative AI user—no matter your role

AI is transforming industries and societies, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and global progress. However, realizing its full potential requires a thoughtful approach to governance, trust, and collaboration.

This week, Amir Banifatemi, Chief Responsible AI Officer at Cognizant, joins Pamela to explore how organizations can integrate responsible AI principles to drive meaningful change. Amir shares insights into balancing innovation with regulatory compliance, ensuring AI systems are fair, transparent, and reliable. They discuss Cognizant’s initiatives in AI for Good, including sustainability efforts and empowering underserved communities, as well as how AI can address global challenges like climate change and inequality.

Discussed in this episode:

• Balancing innovation and regulatory compliance in AI deployment
• Cognizant’s AI for Good initiatives and sustainability efforts
• Fostering global collaboration through AI for complex societal challenges
• Preparing the next generation of leaders to navigate and innovate with AI

The adoption of AI is more than just a technology consideration. AI success depends on how quickly companies embrace AI into their business models. Those organizations who enable better and faster decisions being made across the enterprise, will see positive impact business and societal outcomes.

This week, Ray Wang, Founder, Chairman, and Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, and Babak Hodjat, CTO AI at Cognizant, explore the transformative power of decision intelligence and the evolving role of humans in an AI-driven future. Together, they discuss how AI can augment human decision-making, the importance of building trust in these systems, and the ethical challenges posed by the intelligent age. From balancing human and machine scales to navigating cultural complexities, Ray, Babak, and Pamela highlight the need for thoughtful frameworks to unlock AI’s full potential.

Discussed in this episode:

• How decision intelligence enhances enterprise decision-making at scale
• Strategies for building trust in AI systems through explainability and data transparency
• The ethical dilemma of optimizing for individual users versus system-wide benefits
• Preparing businesses and workforces for AI-driven collaboration and decision augmentation

As AI continues to transform the way we do business, it should break down barriers in tech, not build new ones.

This week, Kathy Diaz, Chief People Officer at Cognizant, delves into the transformative potential of Generative AI and the critical role of comprehensive training in unlocking its benefits. Kathy introduces Synapse, Cognizant’s ambitious initiative to upskill one million people in Generative AI—already surpassing 200,000 participants and counting. She emphasizes the importance of treating this learning process with the discipline and consistency of an athlete to ensure success.

Discussed in this episode:

• The need for AI automation and human empathy balance 
• Women can thrive by excelling in AI upskilling 
• How leaders can take the charge to level up in the Age of AI and be supported through the process  

How can businesses create exceptional customer experiences while driving growth in an AI-driven world? Ben Wiener, Global Head of Cognizant Moment, shares how his team helps clients transform their digital strategies to attract, engage, and retain customers.

In this episode, Ben discusses how Cognizant Moment partners with businesses to unlock new revenue streams, enhance customer loyalty, and reimagine growth strategies. We take a look at Cognizant Moment’s approach, including personalized marketing, seamless commerce, and AI-driven innovations. Ben highlights groundbreaking projects, such as a Gen AI-powered marketing tool developed for Google, and explores the importance of blending design thinking with technology expertise. From transforming industries like retail, healthcare, and banking to preparing for the next generation of user experiences, Ben provides a compelling vision of the future of customer experience.
Key Discussion Points:

• How Cognizant Moment drives top-line growth through AI, design, and digital platforms.
• Real-world examples, including an AI-powered marketing solution for Google.
• The evolving role of design, empathy, and liberal arts in technology transformation.
• Industry challenges and opportunities in retail, banking, healthcare, and more.
• Why conversational and AR-driven interfaces are the next frontier of user experience.

Can a skilling program address workforce disruptions caused by the rapid advancements of AI?

According to Tobi Young, SVP for Legal and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cognizant, the answer is "Yes." In this episode of Stay Cognizant, Tobi talks about Synapse, Cognizant's ambitious initiative to upskill 1 million people over three years. Through community-centered skilling programs, partnerships with NGOs, and client-oriented solutions, Cognizant is supporting continuous learning and workforce readiness.

In this episode:

• The vision behind Synapse and how it’s equipping communities with essential skills for the AI-driven future.
• How Cognizant is using partnerships to expand opportunities worldwide.
• Advice for organizations looking to launch initiatives that close skills gaps and foster community impact.

Tune in to the latest episode of Powering Product Innovation as Nimish Shrivastava, Senior Director of Product Management for Qualcomm, joins Cognizant’s Deb Eastman, VP & head of Platforms and SaaS, for a lively discussion about Qualcomm's Car-to-Cloud platform.

Take a deep dive into product development’s role in transforming Microsoft into an AI-led, experience-centric organization. Nathalie D’Hers, corporate vice president of Microsoft Digital, takes a deep dive into Microsoft’s evolution to an AI-led, experience-centric organization.

Join us for part 2 of our series highlighting outstanding female leaders among Cognizant's manufacturing clients. In this episode, we interview Kelly Aronson, Chief Digital Officer at Andersen Corporation. Kelly is life-long technologist, time guru, and producer of executive leadership content. Hear her unique path to manufacturing, her thoughts on how "values in action" can shape a career, and the issues she feels the next generation of manufacturers will solve.

Cognizant’s team of customer experience experts sit down to explore the findings of the recently published Forrester Consulting study, “Enable Intelligent Orchestration to Drive Differentiation and Growth,” commissioned by Cognizant. The study underscores how intelligent orchestration – a powerful strategy that leverages technology, data and AI – can revolutionize customer experience delivery. Navigating evolving customer expectations, organizational demands and challenging markets all pose a threat for major corporations looking to implement large scale transformations. Cognizant’s experts weigh in on how organizations can address these challenges, build a robust CX strategy and leverage intelligent orchestration to optimize their delivery and accelerate their growth. Read the full study here: cognizant.com/intelligentorchestration.