What does it take to lead through the most human shift in technology history? In this episode of Business Technology Perspectives, I’m joined by Chet Kapoor, CEO of DataStax and former Google executive, whose tech journey began two decades ago as an intern at NeXT, just steps away from Steve Jobs. From there, Chet went on to navigate four major waves in enterprise tech: client-server, web, mobile, and cloud. Now, he believes we are entering the fifth and most transformative chapter yet—the AI era.
In our conversation, Chet draws a powerful distinction between digital transformation and what he calls “agentification.” This shift isn't just about making things faster. It is about creating autonomous AI agents that act with purpose, work alongside people, and drive effectiveness at scale. Chet walks us through real-world use cases, from personalized healthcare platforms to AI-powered education, that show how this technology is already reshaping the world.
We also explore the importance of human leadership in this new era. Chet outlines his approach to what he calls "inspired execution," a leadership model built on belief, emotional connection, and bold experimentation. For leaders looking to integrate AI meaningfully, he shares actionable advice: start with mission-critical goals, validate outcomes quickly, and scale what works.
From his recent experience at Davos to the innovation happening at DataStax, Chet offers a global perspective on where AI is headed and why businesses must act now. The conversation covers the risks of blind trust in automation, the urgency of thoughtful governance, and the need to balance technical skills with empathy and instinct.
AI is no longer a theoretical trend. It is already embedded in workflows, tools, and expectations. As we discuss how to future-proof strategy, build AI-ready cultures, and define success beyond efficiency, one question becomes clear.
Are you prepared to lead in the age of AI, or will you wait to catch up?
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.