Michael Bushong VP Data Center Nokia On AI, Discipline & Leading Transformation

What if the biggest challenge in digital transformation isn’t technology — but people?
In this episode of Discover Dialogues, we sit down with Michael Bushong, Vice President of Data Centers at Nokia, to explore what real innovation looks like in an AI-driven world. With over 20 years of experience in networking, automation, and enterprise strategy, Michael has helped global organizations balance bold bets with operational discipline — proving that the best leaders aren’t the ones chasing the shiny thing, but the ones who know when to slow down. can prepare their teams for a world where threats move faster than ever before.

He takes us behind the curtain of how enterprises can avoid costly mistakes by rethinking transformation from the inside out — where culture, clarity, and curiosity matter more than code.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why innovation and reliability are “two sides of the same coin.”
• How to balance bold bets in AI with operational discipline.
• The real reason 42% of enterprise AI projects fail — and how to fix it.
• Why workforce alignment is the secret to transformation success.
• The danger of the “fail fast” mindset — and what to do instead.
• The future of AIOps and automation in data centers.
• Leadership lessons on bias, empathy, and alignment.

Timestamp:
00:00 Introduction
02:11 Professional Journey
07:13 Managing Transformations & Strategy
27:16 Leadership Advice
33:50 Rapid Fire

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About Michael Bushong:
Michael Bushong is Vice President of Data Centers at Nokia, where he drives strategy and execution for AI and automation in next-generation infrastructure. A seasoned leader with prior roles at Juniper Networks and Brocade, he’s recognized for his work in networking, cloud, and product strategy. Michael is also an advocate for servant leadership, cognitive awareness, and empathy-driven management.

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.

If you’re a CIO, CTO, digital strategist, or marketing leader looking to understand how to make AI adoption meaningful, not mechanical, this episode is for you. Michael offers a masterclass in balancing technology with trust, reminding us that progress doesn’t come from automation alone but from the people behind it.

Whether you’re building a data center, leading transformation, or simply curious about the next era of AI and leadership, this is a must-watch conversation on clarity, curiosity, and courage.

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