In this conversation, Prem Kumar, CTO and Head of AI at Hitachi Digital Services, joins Nic Espanet to share his journey through the technology world and into leadership. Prem explains how AI has evolved from a niche skill into something everyone interacts with daily, and why companies must focus on building with AI, not just building AI.

Prem highlights three key factors behind his success: staying hands-on with technology, learning from strong mentors, and gaining real-world experience through high-pressure “firefighting” roles early in his career. These experiences helped him develop a rare ability to connect deep technical knowledge with real business impact.

The conversation also explores leadership, personal growth, and mindset. Prem emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, embracing every role (even the hard ones), and sharing knowledge freely with others. He believes that growth comes from curiosity and collaboration—not competition.

Listeners will also hear insights on handling challenges, adapting to rapid technological change, and maintaining a positive outlook both professionally and personally. Prem’s philosophy is simple but powerful: learn constantly, stay humble, and lift others up along the way.

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