From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht

Phil Fersht

As technology rapidly evolves, the world has undergone a significant transformation. Society has shifted from being human-centered to a complex web of digital automation, AI, and human workers who support it. This rapid innovation outpaces regulations and threatens social mobility. The rise of AI presents a critical challenge: how can businesses and policymakers ensure that AI enhances, rather than hinders, human creativity and innovation? Automating routine tasks could free up people for roles requiring creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, but it demands a focus on continuous learning and digital literacy. The first season of From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht explores the intersection of AI, work, and society, aiming to shape the future.

  1. The new enterprise stack and Google's AI play: Phil Fersht with Richard Seroter

    FEB 4 · VIDEO

    The new enterprise stack and Google's AI play: Phil Fersht with Richard Seroter

    In the latest episode of From the Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht is joined by Richard Seroter, Chief Evangelist at Google Cloud. They discuss the latest developments with enterprise AI and why its impact feels different to every technology wave before it. The conversation looks deeper than flashy press releases and hype to explore how AI is reshaping behaviours, decision-making and enterprise risk. It covers everything from the shift in how people search and interact with technology to the growing tension between speed, trust, and scale. Phil and Richard delve into whether advantage comes from moving first with AI, what separates experimentation from transformation, and why AI adoption will be defined by outcomes. What you’ll hear in 30 minutes Why Google’s move into the enterprise collided with the AI explosion How ChatGPT changed consumer expectations, and what it revealed about how humans want to interact First movers versus fast followers, and why second mover advantage matters more Why Services-as-Software is growing, and what it signals about the industry’s futureGuest Snapshot Richard Seroter is the Chief Evangelist at Google Cloud, where he works across enterprises, developers, and leaders to drive outcomes with emerging technologies. Richard previously held roles at firms like VMWare, Microsoft, and Accenture. Explore More Phil Fersht on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfersht/ HFS Research Website: https://www.hfsresearch.com/ Richard Seroter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seroter/

    33 min
  2. Fast AI and fragile enterprises: Phil Fersht with Gary Hoberman

    JAN 27 · VIDEO

    Fast AI and fragile enterprises: Phil Fersht with Gary Hoberman

    In the latest episode of From the Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht sits down with Gary Hoberman, Founder and CEO of Unqork, to break down what’s really happening below the AI hype, and why the race to scale AI might just be deepening enterprises’ technical debt. Enterprises are discovering that speed alone isn’t the advantage they thought it was. Security, reliability, repeatability, and explainability are becoming the real bottlenecks for AI adoption. It’s exposing a divide between what can be built quickly, and what can be trusted at scale. What you’ll hear in 30 minutes Why AI is accelerating code creation, but enhancing complexity The hidden risks of low-code, AI-assisted development, and code replication Why security, reliability, repeatability, and explainability matter more than speed Why control, not velocity, will define the next phase of enterprise transformationGuest Snapshot Gary Hoberman is the Founder and CEO of Unqork, a no-code enterprise application platform used across key industries like financial services, insurance, healthcare, and the public sector. He is a former CIO and technology leader at firms like Citi and MetLife, and has spent more than three decades building and scaling mission-critical systems in highly regulated environments. Explore More Gary Hoberman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-hoberman/Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfersht/More from HFS: https://www.hfsresearch.comMore from From the Horse's Mouth: https://horsesmouthpodcast.com/

    37 min
  3. AI Pretenders, platforms and scaling extraordinary talent: Phil Fersht with Malcom Frank

    JAN 20 · VIDEO

    AI Pretenders, platforms and scaling extraordinary talent: Phil Fersht with Malcom Frank

    In the latest episode of From the Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht sits down with Malcom Frank to unpack why the IT Services model is starting to crack, as well as what comes next once AI reshapes delivery, scale, and value. They delve into topics from Wall Street’s growing skepticism of traditional services economies to the challenge of scaling extraordinary people. It’s a conversation that cuts through the noise to find where real advantage will be created in the AI era, and the gap between hype and execution is rapidly growing. This isn’t about chasing a first-mover advantage. We’re not even sure that matters anymore. It’s about understanding which business models can actually scale, and which ones are set to fail. What you’ll hear in 30 minutes Why Wall Street no longer trusts five-year cash flows in IT Services. Why extraordinary people don’t scale and what replaces that model. First mover versus fast followers, and where the real advantage is created. How hyperscalers are positioning themselves as the new advisors The parade of pretenders, and what it signals about market transitions Where the next generation of services winners will come fromGuest Snapshot Malcom Frank is a longtime technology services leader, advisor, and board member with more than three decades of experience helping services firms scale through major market transitions. He has held senior leadership roles at firms like TalentGenius and Cognizant. Explore More  Malcom Frank on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolm-frank-92028/Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfersht/More from HFS: https://www.hfsresearch.comMore from From the Horse's Mouth: https://horsesmouthpodcast.com/

    39 min
  4. From process debt to AI divide: Phil Fersht in conversation with Tiger Tyagarajan

    12/23/2025 · VIDEO

    From process debt to AI divide: Phil Fersht in conversation with Tiger Tyagarajan

    There will be AI winners and AI losers. There will be no middle ground. In this candid and wide-ranging episode of From the Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht is joined by Tiger Tyagarajan to unpack why 2025 was the beginning of the services industry finally moving beyond AI talk to AI action. If you’re an AI ‘fast follower’, this is one you don’t want to miss. What you’ll hear in 30 minutes: Why 2025 was the beginning of a great separation between AI winners and losers Why process debt is one of the top blockers to enterprise success Why the fast-follower approach doesn’t work in the AI world The end of “mess for less” and what replaces it Why culture is the competitive advantage today What leadership looks like once AI slices through layers of management How AI is enabling smaller, faster, founder-led enterprisesGuest Snapshots Tiger Tyagarajan is a global business leader, best known for his 13-year stint as the CEO of Genpact, where he helped the company evolve from its 2005 GE spinout into one of the top IT and Business services players today. Since stepping down as CEO, Tiger keeps himself busy advising global enterprises, private equity firms, and venture investors on all things AI adoption and transformation. He does this through advisory roles at BCG, Bain Capital, Brighton Park Capital, and many others. Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome and intro to Tiger Tyagarajan 0:26 – Tiger’s career journey and advisory roles2:26 – Genpact’s evolution and the problem of process debt3:31 – 2025 outlook: AI winners vs. losers  5:39 – Why there’s no “fast follower” strategy in AI 6:44 – What Tiger sees at BCG and global markets 7:08 – Middle East leapfrogging with AI investment  9:01 – Competing as a smaller, nimbler firm10:08 – Headcount reduction and the next service disruption11:21 – Culture as the #1 differentiator in AI 12:14 – Faster, iterative transformation cycles13:08 – The new operating model: people, agents, and AI budgets    14:30 – Emerging challengers vs. Wall Street incumbents15:03 – Why services are becoming a dirty word    16:07 – Cannibalizing revenue to scale IP and margins    17:35 – New job roles and changing talent models    18:32 – The future of work: AI + human skills    21:01 – How GenAI reshapes management work    22:28 – Leadership in the AI era: trust and adoption    24:09 – AI exploits, humans explore    25:21 – McKinsey layoffs: reality vs. messaging    28:18 – Big firms shrink, SMBs grow    28:59 – Capital-light business models at a global scale    31:45 – 2026 as the “year of how.”    32:13 – Winning in the last mile    33:22 – Final thoughts and wrap-up Explore More Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipfersht HFS Research Website: https://www.hfsresearch.com/ Tiger Tyagarajan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tigertyagarajan/?originalSubdomain=pt

    34 min
  5. The birth of Services-as-Software:  Phil Fersht and Karthik Krishnamurthy usher in the new era of the workplace

    12/16/2025 · VIDEO

    The birth of Services-as-Software:  Phil Fersht and Karthik Krishnamurthy usher in the new era of the workplace

    Agentic AI. Culture wars. Rewiring leadership. In this electric conversation, Phil Fersht, CEO of HFS Research, sits down with Karthik Krishnamurthy, CEO of Ascendion, to explore why the future of work isn’t just being automated, it’s being reimagined. From building trust in AI-powered enterprises to rethinking capital allocation and redefining what it means to be a services firm, this episode dives into the seismic shifts shaping the next decade. Is your company stuck in a legacy mindset, or ready to embrace Services-as-Software? This one’s for the bold. What You’ll Hear in 30 Minutes Why 2025 was the year of Agentic at work, but not at scale The real reason people embrace AI in their personal lives but not at work Why medium-sized companies are driving the most disruption How trust, not tools, is the missing ingredient in enterprise AI The myth of “digital transformation” and what needs to happen next What Services-as-Software really means—and why it’s already here Why investors need a new playbook for the platform era The talent profiles needed to win the next decadeGuest Snapshots Karthik Krishnamurthy is the CEO of Ascendion, where he’s pioneering the transformation of traditional IT services into platforms and products designed to deliver meaningful business outcomes. A veteran of the services space, KK’s leadership is rooted in redefining how technology connects to enterprise value, and why trust is now the currency of transformation. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and setting the stage for 2025 01:45 – The year of agentic AI at work 04:45 – Personal vs professional AI adoption 06:30 – The leadership trust gap 10:20 – Why mid-sized firms have an edge 13:00 – The fear of change in enterprises 16:00 – The reality of job elimination vs cyclical layoffs 18:20 – Why this industry is about to explode 20:00 – Services firms as last-mile tech partners 22:40 – Breaking the revenue–people linearity 24:00 – What needs to change: leadership, IP, and culture 26:00 – Platforms over PowerPoints: the trust imperative 29:20 – Redefining the services firm 32:00 – The investor POV: Outcomes vs headcount 35:00 – Talent that gets their hands dirty 39:30 – Storytelling as a core capability 41:00 – Smashing the silos, building alignment 43:00 – Rethinking capital allocation 46:00 – R&D and the reinvention imperative 48:00 – Final thoughts: Change is here. Get on board. Explore More Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipfersht HFS Research Website: https://www.hfsresearch.com/ Karthik Krishnamurthy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthikkrishnamurthy Ascendion Website: https://ascendion.com/

    45 min
  6. Boomers, Bailouts, and Bubble Trouble: Phil Pods with Prof G's Ed Elson

    12/08/2025 · VIDEO

    Boomers, Bailouts, and Bubble Trouble: Phil Pods with Prof G's Ed Elson

    What happens when a Gen Z podcast host from New York City goes head-to-head with a seasoned analyst on AI, economic angst, and the generational wealth gap? In this episode of The Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht sits down with Ed Elson, the Gen Z co-host of the Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway. Ed brings his sharp, fast-talking take on why Gen Z feels economically betrayed, why AI is fueling more layoffs than we think, and why America is facing a generational reckoning. This is not your average macroeconomic chat, expect rants, facts, and fire. From sky-high college costs and housing absurdity to the real reason Gen Z isn’t having kids. Ed and Phil go all in on the emotional and economic realities of a generation trying to survive the age of AI and market chaos. What You’ll Hear in 30 Minutes Why Gen Z is worse off than their parents and pissed about it The AI lie: It’s not co-piloting, it’s replacing Why entry-level jobs are vanishing and who’s to blame The illusion of opportunity in a private AI economy Why Google might win the long game, and OpenAI may implode How New York became unaffordable for all but the 1% Why the AI stock narrative is at a breaking pointGuest Snapshots Ed Elson is a business writer, analyst, and co-host of the Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway. He is also host of the First Time Founders podcast. In 2024 he won the Webby honoree award for “Best Co-Host” and won the Webby Award for “Best Business Podcast” in 2025. His podcast has consistently ranked number one in Business in the U.S. His work has been featured in multiple New York Times bestsellers, including The Algebra of Wealth, Adrift, and Siege. He has appeared on various news outlets, including MSNBC and Financial Times. In 2021 he was the commencement speaker for Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Classics. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and Intro: Meet Ed Elson01:42 – Gen Z in NYC: Privilege vs. Reality04:45 – The K-Shaped Economy: Winners and Left Behind07:10 – Housing and College: Gen Z’s Cost Crisis09:50 – Parents Paying the Bills: Dependency Metrics11:30 – AI and the Disappearing Entry-Level Job15:00 – Who Owns the AI Revolution (Hint: Not You)19:30 – OpenAI’s “Code Red” vs Google’s Quiet Comeback25:00 – AI Market Whiplash: Bubbles, Circular Deals, and Hype Fatigue27:30 – From Exuberance to Sobriety: The New AI Narrative33:00 – Why Google’s Under-the-Radar Assets Matter34:45 – Wrap-Up: See Ed at the HFS Summit in NYC Explore More  Prof G Markets Podcast: https://profgmedia.com/podcasts/ Ed Elson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-elson-314283158/  Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfersht/  HFS Research: https://www.hfsresearch.com/  The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Series: https://horsesmouthpodcast.com/

    34 min

  7. 10/23/2025 · VIDEO

    Phil Meets Prof G: Rage, Reform, and Reclaiming America

    What happens when America’s bluntest business voice meets its sharpest industry analyst?  In this unfiltered and high-voltage conversation, HFS CEO Phil Fersht sits down with NYU Professor, best-selling author, and media provocateur Scott Galloway (aka Prof G). Together, they pull no punches unpacking the anxiety and opportunity in today’s America—from broken capitalism and boomer-fueled burnout to the tech monopolies shaping our mental health and democracy.  Scott dishes out straight talk on generational rage, the illusion of innovation, and why young Americans are rightly pissed. But he’s not all gloom—he’s got a battle plan to rebuild the country through real reform, national service, and making masculinity cool again.  This one isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for those who want to understand where America is heading—and how to help steer it.  What You’ll Hear in 30 Minutes  Why young people feel cheated—and what’s fueling their disillusionment  Scott’s take on Big Tech’s grip on democracy and mental health  Why national service and shared sacrifice might save the country  How business leaders must adapt to a broken trust economy  Phil and Scott’s honest dialogue on capitalism, masculinity, and what comes next Guest Snapshots Scott Galloway, also known as Prof G, is a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, podcast host, and fierce advocate for economic reform. Known for his razor-sharp commentary on tech, business, and society, he’s built a loyal following of professionals seeking unfiltered insight and big-picture truth. He’s the author of Adrift, The Four, and The Algebra of Happiness, and regularly challenges the status quo across media and academia.  Timestamps  00:00 – Intro and Welcome01:15 – Why young Americans are mad (and should be) 03:40 – The rise of rage in Gen Z and millennials 07:20 – Tech’s failure to fix what matters 10:35 – Why the American Dream feels dead (and how to revive it) 13:50 – National service, masculinity, and purpose 17:15 – Can capitalism be reformed or is it broken? 20:05 – What the US election might mean for the future 23:10 – The Boomer problem and building generational empathy 26:30 – Realistic hope: what we can do next  Explore More  Scott Galloway on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/profgalloway/  The Prof G Pod: https://profgmedia.com/podcast/  The Prof G Website: https://profgmedia.com/  Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philfersht/  More from HFS Research: https://www.hfsresearch.com

    15 min

  8. 10/07/2025 · VIDEO

    Deals, Data, and Deglobalization: Manish Sharma in the Hot Seat with Phil Fersht

    How do you drive transformation when every global signal is flashing red, yellow... and green? In this episode of From the Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht sits down with Manish Sharma, Chief Strategy and Services Officer for Accenture, to talk about navigating talent, geopolitics, trust, and transformation in an age of relentless change. They delve into the "rebalancing" of globalization, exploring how the future of service delivery is shifting, why AI maturity is about people, not just technology, and what global business leaders are still getting wrong about partnerships and accountability. What You’ll Hear in 30 Minutes How “re-globalization” is reshaping service delivery Why automation alone isn’t enough What boards really want from providers today The shift from cost to value: New KPIs for transformation The talent mindset needed for the AI-first world How Accenture is approaching trust, transformation, and partnershipsGuest Snapshots Manish Sharma is Chief Strategy and Services Officer for Accenture. Previously he was CEO of The Americas in Accenture, the largest of Accenture’s worldwide geographic markets which includes the US, Canada and Latin America. He also served as CEO of North America,  and formerly as Accenture’s Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Executive of Operations. His leadership spans transformation at scale, digital reinvention, and deeply human leadership. Recognized as one of the top thinkers in global services and operations, Manish blends global delivery expertise with a sharp lens on what’s next. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and welcome02:05 – From India to North America: Manish’s journey and leadership lens05:10 – The new rules of globalization: Borders, supply chains, and trust08:40 – Are delivery centers obsolete? Manish on the future of service delivery11:00 – Why AI maturity isn’t just about tech—it’s about people readiness13:45 – Rethinking partnerships: From FTEs to outcomes16:20 – The boardroom’s new obsession: How to turn insights into execution20:00 – Manish’s challenge to the industry: “Don’t just automate. Re-imagine.”23:30 – Lightning round: What’s next for services, skills, and leadership26:00 – Wrap-up Explore More Manish Sharma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-sharma-bbb1a1 Accenture North America: https://www.accenture.com/us-en Phil Fersht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfersht/ More insights from HFS: https://www.hfsresearch.com/

    24 min
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As technology rapidly evolves, the world has undergone a significant transformation. Society has shifted from being human-centered to a complex web of digital automation, AI, and human workers who support it. This rapid innovation outpaces regulations and threatens social mobility. The rise of AI presents a critical challenge: how can businesses and policymakers ensure that AI enhances, rather than hinders, human creativity and innovation? Automating routine tasks could free up people for roles requiring creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, but it demands a focus on continuous learning and digital literacy. The first season of From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht explores the intersection of AI, work, and society, aiming to shape the future.

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