Leaslie DodgeKalyan Kumar, Chief Product Officer At @HCLSoftware On XDO Blueprint For The Enterprise AI
What happens when services become software - and enterprises start thinking like AI systems?
In this episode of Discover Dialogues, host Vikramsinh Ghatge, Sr. Marketing Director and EIC at TechDogs sits down with Kalyan Kumar (KK), Chief Product Officer at HCLSoftware, to explore the biggest transformation reshaping the enterprise landscape - Services-as-Software.
Key Discussion Themes:
1. From Fear of the Unknown to the Pleasure of the Unknown
KK shares his personal journey through 25 years at HCL - how he turned uncertainty into opportunity, moving from satellite communications to AI-driven enterprise software.
2. The Foundations of AI Success - XDO Blueprint
KK introduces the XDO Framework - Experience, Data, and Operations - designed to help enterprises scale AI responsibly. He explains why success in the Agentic AI era depends on three interconnected layers:
• Experience - where AI and humans interact across customer, employee, and machine interfaces.
• Data - the central nervous system that powers context, compliance, and accuracy.
• Operations - where AI transforms how businesses run, from IT ops to cyber and business ops.
3. Beyond Proof of Concept - Time to Execute
In a moment that defines this episode, KK says:
“There’s no need for proof of concept anymore. AI’s proof already exists - just look at the consumer world.” He challenges enterprises to stop experimenting endlessly and start operationalizing AI through well-governed data, human-in-the-loop systems, and scalable frameworks.
4. Services-as-Software - The Future of Enterprise Delivery
KK explains how Agentic AI is erasing the boundaries between software and services. His vision of Services-as-Software flips the industry model - where technology itself delivers outcomes, not human hours. It’s not just a new delivery mechanism; it’s a shift in accountability.
5. Leadership & Culture in the Age of AI
Vikram and KK dive deep into the human side of AI - how leaders can inspire teams when automation changes everything. KK highlights the five must-have traits for tomorrow’s leaders:
- Continuous Learning
- Curiosity
- Adaptability
- Persistence & Grit
- Empathy
He compares leadership to sports, reminding us that resilience and humility are the ultimate differentiators in an AI-driven workplace.
6. The Human Behind the Technologist
In a fun rapid-fire round, KK reveals the person behind the title - his love for cricket, his morning coffee-to-tea ritual, his fascination with London summers, and his prediction that the keyboard and mouse will vanish in the next decade.
Why You Should Watch:
If you’re a CIO, CTO, product leader, or transformation strategist, this episode will shift how you think about AI adoption, enterprise accountability, and leadership in a machine-augmented world.
Discover how HCLSoftware is redefining enterprise innovation - and how Services-as-Software could become the blueprint for the next generation of intelligent enterprises.
Timestamp:
02:09 Professional Journey
09:53 Agentic AI & SaaS
39:06 Leadership Advice
43:31 Rapid Fire
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About Kalyan Kumar:
Kalyan Kumar - widely known as KK - is the Chief Product Officer at HCLSoftware, where he co-leads the company’s global product strategy, engineering, and SaaS operations. Over the past 25 years, he has been instrumental in shaping HCL’s journey from a services powerhouse to one of the world’s largest enterprise software organizations. A Fellow of the British Computer Society and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Quantum Computing, KK is recognized for pioneering models like Services-as-Software and the XDO Blueprint that define enterprise success in the age of Agentic AI. Beyond technology, he is a passionate cricketer, drummer, and advocate for empathetic leadership - blending technical innovation with human insight to build the enterprises of tomorrow.
About Discover Dialogues:
Discover Dialogues is a thought leadership podcast where we bring in industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders to discuss the future of technology, business strategy, and digital transformation. From AI and cybersecurity to product leadership and identity management, our guests share their knowledge and experiences to help you stay ahead in the digital era.
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