#agenticai #manager #podcast #salesforceEvery boardroom is asking the same question today: “Are we really ready for AI?”In this episode of Data & AI Exchange, we sit down with Hitesh Seth — Chief Architect at Salesforce and a veteran of large-scale Data & AI platforms — to explore what true AI readiness means beyond hype and pilot projects.From financial services to healthcare, Hitesh has helped global enterprises design AI roadmaps, integrate data platforms, and build production-grade AI systems. Here, he shares how leaders can assess data maturity, governance, culture, and talent before scaling AI.What You’ll Learn: - Early signals of an AI-ready organization - How to separate AI theater from real business value - Why strong data foundations & governance are critical - Balancing quick wins vs. long-term AI bets - The non-negotiable roles & teams needed for success - How to measure ROI, fail fast, and pivot effectively - Why a growth mindset is key for leaders in the AI era00:00 – Opening & Introductions01:30 – Early Signals of AI Readiness03:00 – Digital Transformation as a Readiness Indicator04:30 – Data Journeys & Maturity Levels05:40 – AI Theater vs. Real Business Value07:30 – Predictive vs. Generative AI in Enterprises08:30 – What a Solid Data Foundation Looks Like10:30 – Governance & Data Ownership11:40 – Red Flags in Data Quality & Governance13:20 – Quick Wins vs. Strategic Bets15:00 – Talent, Leadership & Change Management16:00 – Before Approving AI Pilots: Tech, APIs & Security18:00 – Efficiency vs. Growth: The Business Value Test19:40 – Building Teams: Upskilling vs. Hiring Externally21:00 – Why Architects Are Critical in AI Readiness22:30 – Non-Negotiable Roles: Data Engineers, MLOps & Governance24:00 – Measuring ROI & Knowing When to Pivot25:30 – Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons from Pilots26:30 – Growth Mindset & Continuous Reinvention27:10 – Closing Thoughts & Takeaways