Upendra Kohli, EVP – Communications, Media & Entertainment (Americas & Europe), Infosys highlights more on the various benefits of GenAi across business and digital functions in this short chat:
_________
Hi Upendra; please tell us about your role at Infosys. How did you arrive here?
My role at Infosys is to lead our business in the Americas & Europe for the Communication Service Provider sector. I have been in the telecom industry for about three decades starting in the Asia Pacific region, then moving to the Middle East & Africa, followed by a stint in Europe and finally now here in the Americas. In this journey, I have worked with a telecom equipment manufacturer, a Telecom Service Provider, an ISV and a consulting & system integration company, being on both sides of the table.
Infosys is known for enabling digital transformation. How is the AI-powered core you provide helping clients prioritize and execute changes?
Also Read: How CFOs and CIOs are Collaborating to Drive IT ROI
We have AI embedded into every aspect of our business. Specifically, our focus is on three areas: how do we amplify human potential, how to unlock value, and how do we transform our operating model and talent so that they are future ready. We strongly believe that generative AI is an incredible opportunity for our clients and for our business, and that’s why we have made deep investments in Infosys Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions, and platforms using generative AI technologies. Infosys Topaz delivers cognitive solutions and intuitive experiences that revitalize growth and creates efficiencies across the enterprise. Our AI-powered core additionally democratizes data and intelligence to bring value to more participants in the connected ecosystem. Our goal is to enable enterprises to create disruptive business models, AI-led products, services, and new revenue streams.
In your experience, what emerging technologies are shaping the future of the media and entertainment industries, and how is Infosys positioned to leverage these trends?
Cloud technology: cloud technology is rapidly democratizing media and entertainment industries through reduced costs and minimized platform barriers. The advent of 5G and streaming technology allow users to stream high-end graphics without investing in expensive hardware.
Blockchain technology: through distributed ledger technology, blockchain can safeguard intellectual property, reduce piracy, streamline royalty payments, enable micropayment, and support peer-to-peer content distribution.
Data, AI, and automation: leveraging data for insights, AI for content creation and management, and automation for streamlining workflows is proving crucial in media and entertainment. Use cases include: content optimization through trend analysis, gauging audience engagement levels, media stream scheduling, targeted advertising, audio annotation for voice services.
Also Read: The Dynamic Duo: How CMOs and CIOs Are Shaping the Future of Business
Can you share a disruptive technology or innovation that has recently reshaped your approach to digital transformation?
It certainly has to be AI. AI in media and entertainment has made tools like predictive analytics, recommendation engines, customer journey mapping, and audience segmentation possible, allowing companies to critically improve services and build a significantly more interactive experience. Now, a data-driven approach and AI integration is crucial in media and entertainment’s digital transformation to maximize industry benefits. Key advances include efficient processes, better budget allocation insights and increased revenue, real-time marketing intelligence for increased marketing agility, enhanced marketing and advertisement landscape, content security and privacy management, improved customer experience and personalization.
How is cloud technology transforming the Communications, Media & Entertainment sectors, and what unique cloud solutions does Infosys offer to these industries?
Cloud addresses enterprise requirements including process and storing big data, integrating diverse engagement models, and managing revenue streams; It allows companies to avoid upfront investments while capitalizing on advanced technology. Cloud-native tools and services additionally minimize delays while supporting diverse devices, systems, and formats.
Our cloud platform leverages the convergence of content, gaming and interactive services to drive real-time consumption of digital media. It provides an immersive experience to users exploring new products and services (across industries) or locations (sports, travel and recreation), navigating price discovery (insurance) or packages (home décor), or unearthing content (manufacturing procedures, repair manuals and storage literature).
Also Read: Top Misconceptions Around Data Operations and Breaking Down the Role of a VP of Data Ops
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders looking to make a significant impact in the technology and consulting sectors?
At Infosys, our value system is called C-LIFE, an acronym that stands for Client Value, Leadership by Example, Integrity and Transparency, Fairness, and Excellence. I would advise any aspiring leaders to take a close look at this value system. Personally, I work and live by these values, and they have greatly supported my personal and professional growth.
Thank you, Upendra, for sharing your insights with us.
[To share your insights with us as part of editorial or sponsored content, please write to psen@itechseries.com]
Upendra Kohli, Executive Vice President, Industry Head – Communications Service Providers for Americas & Europe is an innovative and strategic thinker, a shaper who can take things from visualization to actualization – start from a new idea or concept, formulate a strategy, execute the plan successfully, being completely comfortable with the details, while keeping the big picture in mind. Upendra is a visionary yet a practical independent thinker, who is fueled by determination, possessing intense curiosity, a need to dream big and unconventionally, a knowledge of own and other’s weakness and strengths to be able to orchestrate the team to achieve success. He is skilled at working with and building teams of different backgrounds & cultures, who bring diversity in thought yet are united in purpose.
Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.
