Despite years of digital transformation, most enterprises remain stuck in what might be termed a ‘digital slum’: a maze of dashboards, siloed systems and disconnected analytics. They are data-rich but insight-poor, paralysed by complexity and unclear on how to translate their massive data reservoirs into real business value. At a recent India CEO Forum session in Mumbai, Dr Shailesh Kumar, Chief Data Scientist at Reliance Jio, laid out a comprehensive blueprint for becoming an AI-first enterprise, one that goes far beyond use cases and shiny GenAI tools. Such a plan would call for a systemic reimagination of workflows, a deep integration of domain and digital knowledge and a cultural pivot from IT mindsets to AI-centric thinking. Dr Kumar argued that the core issue in AI adoption isn’t technology, but insecurity, rigidity and fragmented systems. True transformation begins with people and culture, and the end goal is clear: interoperability.

In an era of increasing organisational complexity and rapid market shifts, the partnership between CFOs and CHROs is more critical than ever. Strategic synergy between Finance and HR fosters resilience, driving sustainable growth and cost efficiency. A well-integrated Finance-HR collaboration enables companies to navigate economic uncertainties while strengthening workforce engagement. At a recent India CHRO Forum session in Bangalore, Abhishek Gupta, Myntra’s CFO, and Govinda Raj MK, its CHRO, shared insights on how their partnership enhances agility and innovation, ensuring businesses remain future-ready. This podcast summarises these discussions.

As AI reshapes the business landscape, CHROs are being called upon to cut through the noise and lead with clarity. This episode brings together two compelling conversations from IMA India’s recent HR sessions. In the first, Naveen Narayanan, Global Head of HR at Biocon Biologics, outlines the CHRO’s evolving role in embedding GenAI into workforce strategy—bridging capability gaps, reframing talent models and redefining value creation.

The second session delves into the growing shift from role-based to skills-based hiring. As organisations respond to automation, digital disruption and AI-led transformation, HR leaders are rethinking what constitutes core capability and how best to develop it—whether in cybersecurity, machine learning, industrial automation or beyond.

This podcast summarises these discussions.