Tech & AI Awards: Q&A With Zeljko Ivkovic, CIO APAC at ISS
NEW for 2025, The Global Tech & AI Awards will take place at the end of day one of Tech & AI LIVE London + Cyber LIVE London.
Celebrating companies, individuals and organisations dedicated to excellence and innovation in the technology industry, the awards serve as a platform to honour leaders pushing boundaries and establishing new benchmarks.
With submissions now closed, the esteemed judging panel of industry leaders now faces the exciting task of reviewing the nominations and identifying those setting the gold standard in a rapidly evolving industry.
Finalists will be announced in the coming weeks, ahead of the awards ceremony that promises to bring together leading voices in tech, innovation and AI.
Stay tuned as we prepare to celebrate the visionaries, disruptors and trailblazers shaping the future.
Meet Zeljko Ivkovic, CIO APAC at ISS
As the CIO of APAC at ISS, Zeljko is responsible for driving the digital transformation and delivering customer-centric IT solutions.
With more than 20 years of experience in IT management, Zeljko has a proven track record of leading high-performing IT teams, implementing innovative IT systems and improving operational efficiency in the IT, automotive and logistics industries.
Zeljko's core competencies include IT strategy, leadership, customer solutions, innovation, project management and cross-cultural communication.
He also holds an MBA degree from Fudan University, BI Norwegian Business School and Nanyang Technological University, and has participated in various executive education programme, such as the Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley Study Tour.
Zeljko is fluent in German, English, Croatian and Japanese, as well as having intermediate skills in Chinese.
Zeljko is passionate about learning new technologies, exploring new markets and creating value for customers and stakeholders.
What inspired you to get involved with the Global Tech & AI Awards?
I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of technology and innovation.
Given my role as a regional CIO at ISS, I have a front-row seat to the rapid advancements in AI and technology within the facilities management industry.
I wanted to be part of an initiative that not only celebrates technological progress but also drives awareness and excellence in its application across industries.
Judging the AI use cases at the Global Tech & AI Awards was a great way to contribute to the community and stay on top of emerging trends.
What importance do the Global Tech & AI Awards have to the industry?
The Tech & AI Awards serve as an important benchmark for recognising groundbreaking applications of technology and AI.
They highlight the transformative power these technologies have in solving complex challenges and improving business outcomes.
These awards create visibility for innovations that might otherwise go unnoticed and provide inspiration for others in the industry to continue pushing boundaries.
They also set a standard for excellence, which can drive further investment and adoption of AI solutions across various sectors.
What trends do you think will impact the future of the technology and AI industries?
There are several key trends that I believe will shape the future of AI and technology.
First, AI-driven automation will continue to grow, especially in industries like facilities management, where streamlining operations and reducing costs are paramount.
Additionally, ethical AI and transparency in algorithms will become increasingly important as we balance innovation with responsibility.
Another trend is the integration of AI with IoT, enabling more intelligent and data-driven decision-making.
Finally, AI’s role in improving customer experiences will only become more pronounced as businesses find ways to leverage data and predictive analytics.
What qualities do winning entries possess?
Winning entries typically show a clear, practical use of AI that solves real-world problems.
They not only demonstrate strong technical skills but also show an understanding of the broader business or social impact.
A winning entry should be scalable, sustainable and innovative, often bringing something new to the table.
More importantly, the solution must create real value, whether through cost savings, improved efficiency or using traditional business approaches in a new way.
The goal should be to give the company a competitive edge, helping it stay ahead of others in the industry.
It's about showing how AI can improve processes, decision-making and deliver results that matter.
What advice would you give to individuals or companies aspiring to win this award in the future?
My advice would be to focus on creating solutions that address a specific problem and demonstrate tangible, measurable results.
Stay ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and don’t be afraid to push boundaries. But equally, ensure that the solution is scalable and can be adopted widely.
Make sure to clearly communicate the value and impact of your AI use case and ensure that ethical considerations are part of the design and implementation.
Additionally, for companies with diverse legacy landscapes, especially those experiencing inorganic growth, it’s crucial to prioritise data quality and integrity.
Inconsistent or poor-quality data can undermine even the most sophisticated AI solutions, so establishing robust data governance frameworks and ensuring data accuracy and consistency across systems will be key.
Lastly, always be open to collaboration and feedback, as the technology community thrives on shared learning and continuous improvement.
Why attend Tech & AI LIVE London + Cyber LIVE London
The convergence of AI and cybersecurity has never been more critical.
As businesses accelerate digital transformation, AI-driven innovations are reshaping industries, from automation and predictive analytics to ethical AI and quantum computing.
Tech & AI LIVE London, in collaboration with Cyber LIVE London, provides a platform for industry leaders, technology pioneers and decision-makers to explore cutting-edge solutions, emerging trends and strategies to navigate the digital frontier.
Taking place on 14 and 15 May, secure your tickets to attend.
Essential diary dates for 2025
Discover the essential diary dates for Technology Magazine and AI Magazine and its sister publications Mobile Magazine and Data Centre Magazine.
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- Data Centre LIVE | 25 March
- Tech & AI LIVE London + Cyber LIVE London | 14-15 May
- The Global Tech & AI Awards | 14 May
- Tech & AI LIVE Singapore | 4 November
- Tech & AI LIVE New York | 18 November
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