In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Giuseppe Ficara, Senior Director and Global Head of Data and AI at Amplifon in Milano, Italy, the nominee in the Data & AI category. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Giuseppe is leading a transformative data and AI initiative at Amplifon, a global leader in hearing care with over 20,000 employees. Giuseppe shares the story of how Amplifon moved past foundational data challenges following a complex cloud migration to spearhead a critical AI-driven phase of data governance. The company faced a deficit in internal knowledge after integrating 16 different data platforms over four years. He explains that the transformation was essential to transition Amplifon from a reactive to a proactive data governance model. Giuseppe emphasises the dramatic results of their AI-first approach, including a 90% reduction in the effort and cost of the data governance program by leveraging AI for the 'back office' definition work and asking human stakeholders only to review the output. Their efforts also led to a 15% reduction in cloud spending for the data ecosystem by optimizing data pipelines. Throughout the conversation, Giuseppe reveals how Amplifon prioritised the engagement of the final stakeholder to successfully build the new capability. He discusses the three core objectives: reducing technical debt, internalising knowledge, and changing the data governance approach. He further explains how setting up the AI ​​platform and architecture has created a long-term capability for scaling AI responsibly in compliance with regulations like the AI ​​Act. Don’t miss the panel where Giuseppe will share more about his AI journey, powered by our trusted partner, Splunk 👉  https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1!

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Jesús Oliva, Head of Data & AI at Moeve, who is a nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 in the Data & AI category. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Jesús shares the story of how he took Moeve from foundational data challenges to leading the way in industrial AI implementation, delivering tens of millions in value. He emphasizes the importance of value over volume in AI projects and shares how his team proved that AI could drive tangible business results, including a 300% ROI from their first pilot. Throughout the conversation, Jesús reveals how Moeve prioritized data democratization and AI accessibility to create a data-driven culture across the organization. He discusses the three pillars that guided the transformation: building robust data foundations, democratizing data access, and demonstrating tangible business value through AI. Jesús also dives into the modular approach that underpins Moeve’s AI strategy, stressing how modularity in AI development ensures scalability and sustainability across projects. He further explains how Moeve’s responsible AI practices, coupled with their AI governance framework, have ensured the company’s AI initiatives are ethical and effective at scale. Don’t miss the panel where Jesús will share more about his AI journey, powered by our trusted partner, Splunk 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1!

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Radosław Maćkiewicz, CEO of COI – Polish Centre for Information Technology, who is a nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 (Applications & Architecture). Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Radosław unpacks Poland’s public-sector digital transformation—most visibly mObywatel (mCitizen), the national digital wallet and reflects on how COI: - Reorganized ~700 engineers into 46 cross-functional product teams - Shifted decisively to Agile with clear KPIs and product ownership - Elevated delivery quality using DORA metrics (and dramatically improved time to restore) - Boosted NPS from ~20 to 47 and raised app store ratings via continuous citizen feedback - Built API-first platforms and a reusable design system aligned with eIDAS 2.0 - Drove adoption to ~11M mObywatel users with an ambition of 20M by 2035 Beyond tech, Radosław highlights the human side: emotional engagement, trust, and empowerment as the foundation for change—plus the importance of investing in the Product Owner role to keep ministries, market feedback, roadmaps, and support aligned. Don’t miss the panel where Radosław will share his accomplishments: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! #CIONET #CIONETAwards #CIONETAwards2026 #DigitalLeadership #CIO #CDO #CTO #CXO #Data #AI #Applications #Architecture #CIOCommunity

This February, CIONET hosted CIONEXT | Mastering Complexity, powered by Hitachi Vantara. We’re thrilled to present a new episode of our #LeadershipDeepDive series, featuring Kalman Tiboldi, CTO and Founder at GemOne–TVH. In this insightful conversation, Hendrik Deckers explores why mastering technological complexity is essential to future-proofing businesses. Kalman shares how TVH is transitioning away from legacy systems toward a capability-based architecture, built on a composite model that focuses internal development on core differentiating systems. He emphasizes the importance of simplification—untangling legacy “spaghetti” architectures and removing unnecessary layers. Data, he says, must be treated as a strategic asset: governed centrally and managed via data fabric and virtualization to ensure AI readiness without duplicating datasets. On the infrastructure side, TVH is executing a cloud-first strategy, gradually moving toward full cloud adoption while currently operating in a hybrid environment. For Kalman, AI is not the destination, but a tool—used to improve decision-making, boost productivity, and turn static manuals into intelligent knowledge sources. Looking ahead, he envisions AI agents automating business logic and enabling autonomous enterprises, while preserving the unique role of human intuition. Curious to learn more? Watch the full interview now!

#CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership? is around the corner! Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with Sharon Prior who will be our panellist on April 3rd at 15:00 CET. Don’t forget to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Sharon how today’s CIOs must act as strategic business enablers rather than just technical experts. The traditional IT silo has given way to "fusion teams" — cross-functional groups where IT and business co-create solutions. Sharon highlights that the modern CIO must prioritize business outcomes, such as revenue growth and customer experience, over technology itself. She advocates for enterprise architecture and long-term roadmapping as essential foundations for agile and continuous delivery. A strong proponent of data governance, Sharon warns against fragmented data ownership and insists that business functions—not IT—must be accountable for the quality and clarity of their own data. Sharon also underscores the importance of education and governance in the AI era. She encourages building AI governance boards and setting clear guardrails to empower business users while maintaining control. What skills are essential for modern IT leaders? How can IT leaders balance long-term strategy with agile delivery in a fast-paced tech landscape? Watch the full interview to find out!

CIONEXT is just around the corner! Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get to know one of our panellists – Tom Tanghe, General Manager ITC EMEA at Daikin Europe – and watch his full #LeadershipDeepDive interview. Have you already registered to join us on April 3rd at 15:00 CET? Now’s the time 👉 www.cionext.com/21! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Tom how IT is becoming a core business enabler rather than just a support function, and shares his practical and business-focused vision: creating value, staying close to the field, and avoiding rigid long-term plans. Tom stresses the need for IT leaders to understand the business deeply, and for business leaders to become more tech-literate. Looking ahead, he sees CIOs needing to balance long-term strategic roadmaps with agile responsiveness to user feedback and shifting priorities - what he calls operating at "two speeds." The CIO role, in his view, is increasingly about orchestrating this collaboration, enabling innovation, and ensuring that technology serves both operational excellence and business transformation. Curious about the tech aspects? Watch the full interview to find out about predictive sales tools and the 23 initiatives that harness the power of AI, the status of cloud adoption, and why low-code/no-code is addressed with a healthy dose of skepticism at Daikin!

Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with José Antonio López - Group CIO at TOUS - who will be our panellist at CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership on the 3rd of April! It’s high time to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21 and join us for the discussion on three key shifts that are driving the transformation of IT and CIO’s roles in an organisation: 1️⃣ Democratisation 2️⃣ IT as strategic partner 3️⃣ Human-centricity In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with José Antonio López, Group CIO of TOUS, how the role of IT leadership is evolving in a fast-paced, digital-first world. They explore the CIO’s shift from operational control to strategic business enablement, the company’s digital transformation journey, and how technologies like AI, cloud, and data are driving innovation at TOUS. José also shares his personal leadership style, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring tech leaders.

Are you ready for CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership? Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with Aaron Stafford - Group Senior Director of Global Security, Cloud Infrastructure & ERP Operations at ASICS Technology - who will be our panellist on April 3rd at 15:00 CET. Don’t forget to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Aaron how ASICS is much more than a sportswear brand - it’s a fully digital company at the forefront of innovation. Aaron emphasizes that digital leadership has fundamentally evolved from being a back-office function to a strategic business driver. He argues that IT is no longer just a support function but an integral part of the core business strategy, especially in a company like ASICS, where technology enables everything from product design and manufacturing to sales and customer engagement. That’s why Digital Leaders must think like CEOs more than ever - understanding business strategy, customer needs, and industry dynamics. How can IT empower the business by providing safe, flexible environments where teams can experiment, innovate, and iterate? Is it possible to democratize access to data while maintaining strict security standards? Watch the full interview to find out!

Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with John Walsh - VP & CTO at Fujitsu - who will be our panellist at CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership on the 3rd of April! It’s high time to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21 and join us for the discussion on three key shifts that are driving the transformation of IT and CIO’s roles in an organisation: 1️⃣ Democratisation 2️⃣ IT as strategic partner 3️⃣ Human-centricity In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with John Walsh why the CIO role is more critical than ever, how AI is evolving at lightning speed, and why shorter, results-driven IT projects are replacing long-term contracts. John shared insights on Fujitsu’s groundbreaking work in Quantum Computing and Social Digital Twins - a technology that could revolutionize smart cities and transport systems! Is it possible to stay ahead of rapid AI innovations? How is technology shaping the future of IT leadership? Watch the full interview to find out!

This February, CIONET hosted CIONEXT | Mastering Complexity, powered by Hitachi Vantara. We're excited to share with you a new episode of our #LeadershipDeepDive series, featuring Isabelle Droll, CIO for Airline, Corporate, Hotels & Resorts, and Sustainability at TUI. Isabelle collaborated with us on this program together with André Exner. In this insightful interview, Isabelle delves into TUI’s digital transformation journey within the highly complex travel and tourism industry. She explains how TUI is working to unify fragmented systems across markets into a single, global platform designed to deliver seamless and personalized customer experiences. Together with Hendrik Deckers, Isabelle explores the strategic role of data integration, cloud migration, and AI-driven personalization in navigating complexity and boosting operational efficiency. From predictive maintenance and route optimization to dynamic packaging, TUI’s key initiatives are deeply rooted in strong collaboration between IT and the business. Isabelle also emphasizes the evolving role of IT—from cost control to value creation—highlighting the importance of trusted supplier partnerships, nearshore development hubs, and internal AI upskilling programs. Curious to learn more? Watch the full interview now!

Listen to the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with Jay Subramanian, GM of Core Storage Platforms at Hitachi Vantara, who will be our panellist at CIONEXT | Mastering Complexity on the 19th of February! It’s high time to register 👉 www.cionext.com/20 and join us for the discussion on: ✔️ The Future of Mission-Critical Apps (and why it starts with the data) ✔️ The Power of Super Adaptability (diving into scalable data platforms) ✔️ Balancing Security and Rapid Innovation (how platforms bring the best of all worlds) In this episode, Hendrik Deckers speaks with Jay Subramanian about fostering innovation and tackling key IT challenges, including hybrid cloud environments, diverse applications, and distributed workforces in an era of exponential data growth. Jay emphasizes that while hybrid cloud enhances flexibility, it demands realistic planning, clear objectives, and a strategic approach to cost and risk management. He highlights the critical role of infrastructure consolidation and resource optimization, advocating for right-sizing and flexible "as-a-service" models in environments where data volume volatility is inevitable. How can organizations optimize resources and manage costs while maintaining flexibility in data management? Do regulations like DORA and US DoD standards enhance security, or do they hinder growth? Listen to the full interview to find out!

In the newest episode of CIONET’s #LeadershipDeepDive interview, Steven Huels, VP & GM of AI Business, Product, and Strategy at Red Hat, explores the recent technological advancements in the realm of AI. Red Hat, recognized for its robust enterprise solutions, emphasizes open-source principles and platforms, which have been pivotal in virtualization and containerization. Steven highlights AI's transformative impact on businesses, stressing that it has evolved from a futuristic concept to an essential element of current business strategies. Currently at Red Hat, the AI strategy involves creating a composable platform that seamlessly integrates AI tools and models, supporting varied use cases from training to deployment. Hendrik discusses with Steven the advancements in AI accessibility, efficiency, and integration today, and in the future where AI models are more consumable and seamlessly embedded in business applications. Curious to know more? Don’t miss this inspiring conversation and watch the full interview now! #DigitalLeadership #CIO #CXO #CTO #CIONET #innovation #technology #data #cloud #AI #OpenSource #RedHat

Lisa Spelman - Corporate VP and GM of Intel Products & Solutions at Intel will be our guest speaker at CIOFEST on the 21st of March! If you're a CIONET Member or would like to become one, make sure you register to CIOFEST in your country here: https://www.cionet.com/events/ciofest CIOFEST will also mark the launch of the CIOFEST Cookbook No. 3, where Lisa shares her recipe for digital success. Don’t forget to pre-order your copy here: https://www.cionet.com/cookbook3 and stay on top of what is relevant for top CIOs! In this #LeadershipDeepDive Hendrik Deckers discussed with Lisa Intel's role in providing computing solutions across various platforms, emphasising the company's transition from a hardware focus to integrating software and manufacturing. They talked about the importance of AI development, its ethical usage, and democratisation. She addressed the challenges faced by many industries due to rapid digitisation and the evolving role of IT and CIOs in businesses as well as Intel's commitment to sustainability, security, and future technological advancements, particularly in AI and data centre innovations. Curious to know more? Make sure you watch the full interview! #CIONET #CIOcommunity #CIO #CXO #CDO #CTO #DigitalLeadership #Cloud #Multicloud #Hybridcloud #Innovation #AI #RedHat #Intel

We had the pleasure to host Dirk Olufs, EVP & CIO at DHL Express at the panel of CIONEXT | The Fabric of Future-Proof Organisations that we hosted on the 18th of October. Now we’re delighted to publish the #LeadershipDeepDive interview, full of insights from one of the biggest logistics companies in the world! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discussed with Dirk about DHL Express's operations, focusing on its digital and customer-centric approach, underlining the role technology plays in improving customer service in logistics. They tackled DHL's IT system evolution, emphasising the importance of innovation in the process. Dirk also delved into the integration of new technologies to enhance DHL's delivery and tracking capabilities, underlining the role of IT in streamlining processes and ensuring efficient service delivery. He explained in detail how the IT organisation is managed globally and underlined the need for standardisation to support global operations effectively. How does this logistics giant deal with the growing pace of service delivery? What new technologies are key to innovation and staying on top of the game? Watch the full interview to find out!

Antonio Queiroz, Chief Digital Officer at Euroclear, is a panellist at CIONEXT | Mastering the Cloud on the 29th of November! It’s the last moment to register 👉 www.cionext.com/ and join us for the discussion on: ✅ How complexity impedes progress. How do we optimise processes and maximise value? ✅ How to align business goals with coherent IT and cloud strategies? ✅ How to navigate the challenges of hybrid and multi-cloud setups and how to keep our options open? In this #LeadershipDeepDive interview, Hendrik Deckers discussed with Antonio Euroclear’s transition to cloud computing, emphasising the need for a cautious approach and alignment with regulatory and client expectations. Antonio explained the complexities introduced by cloud integration and the challenges in security management but underlined the long-term benefits, such as indirect financial gains from process rationalisation. He dispelled misconceptions about cloud computing, stressing the importance of strategic planning and cost awareness and shed light on the role of data and AI in Euroclear's strategy - aiming to develop new solutions, while ensuring the alignment with business needs and regulatory requirements. Watch the full interview to find out more don’t forget to book your virtual seat at CIONEXT | Mastering the Cloud: www.cionext.com ! #CIONET #CIOcommunity #CIO #CXO #CDO #CTO #DigitalLeadership #Cloud #Multicloud @Red Hat #googlecloud #microsoftazure #redhat Table of contents: 01:06 | Introduction 01:16 | Antonio’s background 03:15 | About Euroclear 07:10 | Complex versus complicated 10:28 | Main challenges for the company 12:37 | IT strategy 16:48 | Cloud strategy 25:50 | Applications used in the cloud setup 31:08 | Increasing or decreasing complexity? 36:47 | Selecting partners 41:29 | Security 42:52 | Cloud is like a free lunch 44:45 | Agility roadmap 48:04 | IT organisation 50:18 | Data and AI 54:18 | Antonio’s role at Euroclear 57:31 | Antonio’s team 01:01:41 | Management & leadership style 01:07:27 | Personality: the Commander 01:17:59 | Core values & mentors 01:21:57 | The most brilliant failures 01:26:09 | Antonio’s passions 01:29:54 | Advice for aspiring digital leaders

Karl Davies-Barrett, Global Partner CTO at Microsoft, will join us as a panellist at CIONEXT | Mastering the Cloud on 29th November! Register now at www.cionext.com and don't miss the discussion on all things cloud: ✅ How complexity impedes progress. How do we optimise processes and maximise value? ✅ How to align business goals with coherent IT and cloud strategies? ✅ How to navigate the challenges of hybrid and multi-cloud setups and keep our options open? In this #LeadershipDeepDive interview, Hendrik Deckers discussed with Karl Davies-Barrett Microsoft's mission to democratise technology, emphasising its cloud-first strategy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of integrating business value with technology, as well as the cultural shift at the company under the leadership of Satya Nadella. Karl also highlighted the significance of AI at Microsoft, its 3% contribution to cloud platform revenue, and upcoming AI capabilities. He addressed various cloud strategies, including the complexities of multi-cloud environments, the 'lift and shift' approach, and hybrid cloud. He acknowledged the reality of vendor lock-in, advocating for due diligence and informed choices in cloud services. Watch the full interview to find out more and don't forget to book your virtual seat at CIONEXT | Mastering the Cloud: www.cionext.com!

Colin Fisher, Global Senior Director, Cloud Partner Ecosystem at Red Hat, is a panellist at CIONEXT | Mastering the Cloud on the 29th of November! Register now 👉 www.cionext.com/ and join us for the discussion on: ✅ How complexity impedes progress. How do we optimise processes and maximise value? ✅ How to align business goals with coherent IT and cloud strategies? ✅ How to navigate the challenges of hybrid and multi-cloud setups and how to keep our options open? In this #LeadershipDeepDive interview, Hendrik Deckers discussed with Colin his experience and the critical role of open-source software in the development of cloud technology. Colin emphasized the importance of agility, scalability, and reliability in adapting cloud-native technologies and also the challenges of cloud adoption, including security and compliance concerns. How can Red Hat guide organisations through the adoption of cloud-native technologies? What is the role of open source in the cloud-native landscape? How can cloud-native strategies empower your digital transformation journey? Watch the full interview to find out and don’t forget to book your virtual seat at CIONEXT | Mastering the Cloud: www.cionext.com !

Colin Bannon, CTO at BT Business, is a panellist at CIONEXT | The Fabric of Future-proof Organisations on the 18th of October! Register now 👉 www.cionext.com/18 and join us for the discussion on: ✅ How top Digital Leaders architect the businesses of tomorrow? What is the supporting strategy of the future? Do they implement global business services (GBS), and who needs to lead these? What is their IT operating model? ✅ What is the core digital platform strategy and how to select the right components for maximum flexibility and minimum risk, all while ensuring data sovereignty, compliance and privacy? ✅ What’s the optimal IT infrastructure and connectivity underpinning the businesses of the future? How do we manage the cost, performance and resilience of multi-cloud and hybrid architectures, in order to excel in big data, AI & IoT? In this #LeadershipDeepDive Interview, Hendrik Deckers discussed with Colin his experiences and the complex, evolving landscape of network technology and cloud services in the Telco sector. They spotlighted the key challenge of technological complexity, emerging from swift technological advancements and the transition to multifaceted cloud environments. In order to cope with this complexity, organisations need integrated operational models and cohesive internal structures. The conversation brought Hendrik and Colin to the significance of network architecture and introduced BT’s new innovative service, Global Fabric. The latter aims at establishing an interconnection fabric for cloud and multi-cloud environments, as crucial technologies to support the upcoming digital transformations. How does Cisco and BT help their clients building a platform-based approach and integrating products together? How did they reduce operational complexity? Is the Global Fabric going to change the way businesses view transformation? Listen to the full interview to find out! #CIONET #CIOcommunity #CIO #CXO #CDO #CTO #DigitalLeadership #ITArchitecture #Platforms #ITInfrastructure @BT Business @Cisco

Olivier Gibert - Global CTO at Carrefour - will join us on the 18th of October at CIONEXT | The Fabric of Future-proof Organisations. Register now 👉 www.cionext.com/18 and don’t miss the discussion on future-proofing your organisation’s platforms, infrastructure and architecture! Operating in more than 40 countries with over 337,000 employees and several thousand stores, Carrefour is a retail giant with the ambition of becoming the leader of food transition for all. In this #LeadershipDeepDive Interview, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Olivier the challenges the food industry is now facing: faster time to market, perpetually changing customer needs, increasing drive towards personalisation and greater focus on efficiency. Olivier describes Carrefour’s IT strategy, which revolves around five pillars, in more detail. He underlines the importance of enhancing performance via data, tech use in boosting commercial activity, future-proofing the organisation with innovations like generative AI, cloud adoption, and refining working methodologies. Olivier touches upon the gradual and strategic organisational transformation from a country-specific model to a synchronised structure while navigating the challenges of legacy systems, varied market conditions, data management and increasing security across diverse geographical locations. How did Carrefour choose the most effective IT operating model? How do you select the right components for maximum flexibility and minimum risk while creating a core digital platform strategy? What’s the optimal IT infrastructure and connectivity underpinning the businesses of the future? Watch the full interview to find out and don’t forget to book your virtual seat at CIONEXT | The Fabric of Future-proof Organisations 👉 www.cionext.com/18!

“We are the plumbers of the Internet,” says Gordon Thomson, VP Service Provider EMEA at Cisco. Register now 👉 www.cionext.com/18 and join us on the 18th of October at CIONEXT | The Fabric of Future-proof Organisations, to discuss “IT plumbing” in more detail: ✅ How top Digital Leaders architect the businesses of tomorrow ✅ Their core digital platform strategy ✅ The optimal IT infrastructure setup Cisco will be represented on the panel by Alexandra Zagury, VP, Partner Managed & as-a-Service, Global Partner Sales! In this #LeadershipDeepDive Interview, Hendrik Deckers discussed with Gordon the principal challenges Digital Leaders encounter today. Due to economic pressures, organisations must restructure their operations. Simplification, enhancing security, reducing energy costs, and improving user experience have become not just a priority but a necessity. Gordon also elaborated on Cisco’s transformation from being product-feature-focused to becoming an outcomes-and-platform-driven organisation. IT infrastructure currently utilises 1-2% of global electricity, and this figure is projected to rise to 3-4%, due to the proliferation of data, advancements in cloud technology, and increased utilisation of AI. Gordon discussed sustainability at Cisco, where innovation is driven by the creation of solutions that are both circular and energy-efficient, prioritising mitigating the impacts of this increasing energy consumption. How do Cisco and BT help their clients by building a platform-based approach and integrating products? How did they reduce operational complexity? How does the company ensure data security whilst transporting 80% of internet traffic? Are AI & Automation going to erase human interaction from network observability and management entirely? Watch the full interview to find out!