Leading IT - APAC Insights

He's back! Recorded on Australia’s King’s Birthday while Andrew Welch, global AI technologist and thought leader, dialled in fresh from DynamicsMinds in Slovenia, this episode looks at AI in the enterprise through the lens of real conferences, real customers and real partner pain. Andrew shares what he’s seeing on the ground: how AI strategy and architecture sessions land, why the old implementati...

Andrew Welch, global AI technologist and thought leader, joins us to ask a confronting question: are you using AI to amplify your judgment, or quietly outsourcing your brain? He dishes up real-world stories from the enterprise front lines, unpacking how leaders can cut through the hype, avoid “prompt theatre” and build organisations where AI actually serves human flourishing, exploration and cultu...

Josh and Tom break down how to actually use agentic AI in the enterprise – from Copilot-style platform agents to specialist off‑the‑shelf tools 

A trillion dollars in SaaS value wiped and AI can now build apps in hours. Tom and Josh unpack the “SaaSpocalypse”, who’s really at risk, and how IT leaders can consolidate and renegotiate.

Dark LLMs and ransomware-proof backups collide with recruitment resets and the rise of non-human identities. Josh and Tom share practical predictions on security, governance, and digital provenance so Enterprise IT leaders can brace for 2026.

Ignite 2025 showed where Microsoft is really placing its bets. Tune in to our end of year podcast, and for an insightful analysis of the implications for IT leaders responsible for scale, security and adoption.

Join Josh and Tom in a deep dive into how AI is reshaping recruitment, with Randstad CIO Chris English sharing real-world wins, challenges and what’s coming next for talent tech. A candid chat on the future of hiring, the rise of agentic AI, and how businesses can prepare their people, processes and tech for the next wave of change. This episode also explores where AI genuinely moves the needle in...

How do you turn messy, siloed data into fuel for AI? In this episode, Empyrean’s Data Lead Siva Shivaganken joins Josh and Tom to explain the journey from raw to refined data, using practical analogies, real customer stories, and advice on implementing data lakes and medallion architectures that actually deliver business value. The panel put Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, and Databricks head-to-head...

Josh and Tom are joined by Empyrean IT Cyber Security Practice Lead, David Stevenson to unravel why 78% of employees bring their own AI tools to work—often on personal devices—and how IT leaders can secure sensitive data without stifling innovation.

In this episode, Tom and Josh unpack the concept of AI ecosystem architectures - a strategic approach to navigating the chaos of rapid AI adoption. They explore how CIOs and IT leaders can shift from fragmented, ad hoc implementations to a structured, scalable, and secure foundation for AI. From governance and data consolidation to application modernization and two-speed delivery models, this epis...

Join Tom and Josh as they reveal the seven essential forces every IT leader needs to drive business success. From aligning IT with business strategy to building a skilled team, mastering vendor relationships, and tackling cybersecurity, this episode is packed with real-world advice and no-nonsense insights. Perfect for anyone serious about making technology work—now and into the future. Tune in fo...

Broadcom bought VMware… and broke it for the little guys. We break down what’s changed, who’s hurting most, and what alternatives like Proxmox and Nutanix bring to the table. Empyrean IT Cloud and Infrastructure Director, Andrew Petrie joins Josh and Tom for this no-spin take on your next virtualization move.

Tired of hearing "agentic" every second sentence? So are we. But when Brett Johnstone talks AI, we listen. Join us as Pitcher Partners CIO Brett Johnstone breaks down how his firm is successfully implementing Microsoft Copilot, custom GPT apps, and AI governance strategies. Learn how structured adoption workshops, prompt training, and agent frameworks are transforming enterprise workflows.

Is SaaS over? Maybe not dead, but it's definitely worth checking its pulse. With AI agents on the rise, Josh and Tom unpack whether the software world is heading for a major shake-up. They explore how agentic AI is changing the game, what that means for your tech stack, and whether your beloved SaaS apps are living on borrowed time. It’s a focused, forward-looking discussion for IT leaders navigat...

In this episode, John Milionis, Channel Sales Director Australia at Fortinet, and David Stevenson, Empyrean cybersecurity lead, join our hosts to discuss the growing trend of cybersecurity consolidation and how Fortinet is simplifying technology stacks and reducing risk for customers. 

Josh and Tom discuss their insights on what 2025 holds, from the rise of AI agents and multimodal models to the end of passwords and the resurgence of private cloud solutions. A thought-provoking look at what’s next in tech and business for IT leaders.

In this second part of their Ignite 2024 review, hosts Tom Leyden and Josh Rubens continue exploring Microsoft's latest innovations, with a focus on groundbreaking advancements in AI, the Power Platform and Cyber Security. They delve into low-code developments, intelligent document processing, and enhanced security and governance solutions, discussing how these updates are geared to transforming b...

Join hosts Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden as they delve into the transformative announcements from Microsoft’s Ignite 2024 conference. In this first of a two-part series, they focus on advancements in AI, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and multimodal capabilities. They also explore the integration of AI with tools like SharePoint, Teams, and Azure Foundry, highlighting productivity b...

In this episode, we’re joined by Stephen Madden, ANZ Technical Alliance Manager at Wasabi, exploring the evolution of cloud storage and Wasabi’s innovative solutions. Utilising topical use cases in the ANZ market, this episode provides actionable insights for IT leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve in data storage and cybersecurity while reducing costs.

Join hosts Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden, along with guest Andrew Hehir, head of the Empyrean IT Power Platform Practice, as they dive into the recent Microsoft Power Platform Community Conference. Explore Copilot Wave 2, how AI is transforming business automation, and the game-changing potential of Microsoft Fabric for data integration.

In Episode #61 of the Leading IT Podcast, hosts Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden dive deep into the current state of AI with guest Dave Phung, Chief Disruptor at GPT Strategic. The trio discuss real-world applications of AI such as IoT integration, insight generation and knowledge management, proposal writing, and the impact of generative AI on business strategies. Dave explores several interesting use-...

In this episode, Josh and Tom welcome back David Stevenson, the Cyber Security Lead at Empyrean, to discuss the recent major cybersecurity incident triggered by a CrowdStrike software update which resulted in widespread system outages around the world. So what can we learn from this, and how to ensure business continuity? Fortunately there are alternatives to Cloudstrike available. However there i...

Discover the future of IT leadership as Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden dissect the latest AI advancements from OpenAI and Microsoft. This episode covers the revolutionary GPT-4 Omni, Microsoft's Copilot Plus PCs, and the Build 2024 conference highlights, offering actionable insights for Australian IT leaders to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this episode our guest Dr. Josephine Palermo, an expert in leadership and organizational psychology, discusses effective change management strategies. Josephine highlights the distinction between change management and strategic change, emphasizing the need for leaders to engage actively in transformation projects. Josephine shares insights on why projects often fail, pointing to inadequate huma...

Dive into an enlightening conversation with Mary-Beth Hosking, as she shares her groundbreaking approach to digital transformation in her latest book "Not Another Digital Transformation: The 10x Generation." (Co-authored with Ady Kalra, a fellow technology leader). The book challenges conventional wisdom, advocating for a holistic, people-centric strategy that transcends traditional tech upgrades,...