Check out LiveGood, where top-tier wellness products meet unbeatable prices: https://www.livegood.com/Podcast Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Alakh Verma, a global AI and digital transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations innovate, scale, and compete in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Alakh has held senior roles at companies including Microsoft and Oracle, and today he leads Bcentriqe.ai while also serving as a strategic advisor at PwC, guiding enterprises through meaningful AI adoption. With a career spanning Fortune 500 environments, high-growth ventures, and advanced emerging-tech strategy, Alakh brings a rare blend of technical depth and business vision. In our conversation, he shares his perspective on what truly drives competitive advantage in the age of intelligent automation, where leaders should begin when integrating AI into their organizations, and why execution speed has become a defining factor for business success. We also touch on his journey across the global tech ecosystem and the mission behind Bcentriqe.ai, helping organizations move from exploration to real, measurable impact. If you're looking to understand AI not just as a tool but as a strategic catalyst for growth, culture, and leadership, this episode offers clarity and insight you won’t want to miss. Notable Awards and Recognitions • Founder & CEO of Bcentriqe.ai, enabling enterprises with AI, intelligent automation, and actionable business insights • Strategic Advisor for AI and Digital Transformation at PwC, guiding organizations on emerging technology adoption • Spent 20+ years at Oracle, including roles as Director, Cloud Services, Big Data & MSP Leader and Senior Manager, Platform Technology Solutions, leading global AI and cloud initiatives • Previously Business Solution Manager at Microsoft, supporting strategy and partner engagements in telecom and media • Adjunct Faculty at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension and Northeastern University, teaching emerging technologies • Invited Global Speaker at the United Nations in Vienna for AI and digital transformation thought leadership • Multiple-time recipient of Oracle’s “Excellence Achievers Award” How to connect with Alakh Verma • https://www.linkedin.com/in/alakh-verma-2351005/ • https://bcentriqe.ai/ • https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcentriqe-inc/ • Email: Alakh.verma@pwc.com • Email: Alakh.verma@bcentriqe.ai Show Notes [1:45] Alakh shares his journey from leading global AI and cloud initiatives at Oracle to founding Bcentriqe.ai and serving as a strategic advisor at PwC, and why he chose to move deeper into emerging technology. [3:39] Why rapid adoption has become a critical advantage for businesses looking to stay competitive in today’s accelerating technology landscape. [5:38] Where organizations should truly begin with AI and which priorities drive real, measurable business impact [13:32] What Bcentriqe.ai does in the AI and intelligent automation space and the types of organizations the company typically partners with. [14:59] How AI can support PwC’s mission of building trust and solving important problems, particularly in industries where automation risks overshadowing the human element. [18:27] Alakh shares how he helps organizations balance rapid AI innovation with strong governance, ethical frameworks, and accountability. [23:01] The best ways for listeners to connect with him and learn more about his work at Bcentriqe.ai, PwC, and through his speaking engagements. [23:59] Alakh shares advice for business leaders who fear being left behind in the digital transformation era, offering guidance on how to begin building an AI advantage today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices