Tech & AI LIVE Pre-Event Interview with Bimbo Bakeries USA

On 20 November, Tech & AI LIVE New York will be taking place - a compelling virtual event that will delve into the innovations and technological developments that are driving our digital age.

Throughout the day, attendees will be able to hear a number of unfiltered discussions from leading executives from our industries from international companies such as IBM, Microsoft and Vodafone.

Tech & AI LIVE New York promises to provide attendees with a unique insight into our evolving industries and equip them with the knowledge they require to gain a competitive advantage.

Join us this month and be part of the ground-breaking digital transformation movement.

🎟️To get your free virtual ticket, click here.

Leo Rajapakse, Global Head of Platform Infrastructure, Digital & Advanced Technologies at Bimbo Bakeries USA

Leo Rajapakse is the Global Head of Platform Infrastructure, Digital & Advanced Technologies at Bimbo Bakeries USA.

With over 25 years of progressive achievement in achieving delivery, strategic planning and operations in global Fortune 100 enterprises, Leo has developed into a Senior IT executive.

He has a diverse range of skills, including cloud migration, data science, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, service delivery and digital transformation.

🎤At Tech & AI LIVE New York, Leo will feature on our Digital Transformation panel alongside John Backhouse, Global Practice Leader for Healthcare & Chief Technology Office at EXL, Dharti Tripathi, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at GE HealthCare and Brian Comiskey, Senior Director for Innovation and Trends at Consumer Technology Association.

This panel discussion will explore how organisations can utilise technology to enhance growth and innovation, whilst also catalysing a digital transformation to craft a competitive advantage.

We recently caught up with Leo to discover what inspired him to get involved with Tech & AI LIVE New York, what he hoped to achieve through our Digital Transformation panel, as well as his predictions for the future of our evolving industry. 

What inspired you to get involved with Tech & AI LIVE New York?

I'm inspired by the potential for Tech & AI LIVE: New York to bring together visionaries, innovators and leaders from diverse industries, all united by a passion for technology and AI. 

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, AI stands as a transformative force, reshaping industries and redefining what's possible.

I’m excited to share insights from my journey and discuss how we can leverage AI and emerging tech to drive meaningful impact, spur innovation and create solutions that address real-world challenges. 

Tech & AI LIVE New York represents a powerful platform to exchange knowledge, spark new ideas and build the future together.

Provide us with an overview of what you will focus on during the ‘Digital Transformation’ panel. 

In my panel, I’ll be diving into the digital transformation journey at Bimbo Bakeries, the world’s largest bakery, and how we reimagined a traditional business through cutting-edge cloud and data technologies. 

From managing over 200 global bakeries to pioneering a scalable Cloud Center of Excellence and a federated data governance model, I’ll discuss the strategies, challenges and the real-world impact of shifting from legacy systems to agile, cloud-native solutions. 

This journey highlights not only the transformative power of AI and cloud adoption but also the critical role of alignment across IT and business. 

Attendees can expect actionable insights on building resilient, cost-effective tech infrastructures that drive innovation and growth in any industry.

What do you hope to achieve through Tech & AI LIVE New York?

Through Tech & AI LIVE New York, my goal is to spark meaningful conversations on the transformative role of AI and digital innovation across industries.

I hope to inspire attendees to think about how technology can be leveraged not only for operational efficiency but also for strategic growth and long-term resilience. By sharing insights from real-world case studies and cutting-edge strategies, I aim to empower others to embark on their own impactful journeys, fostering a community that drives change and accelerates tech adoption on a global scale.

What emerging trends do you believe will shape the future of the technology and AI industries over the next decade?

Over the next decade, I believe several key trends will redefine technology and AI industries. First, the integration of generative AI into everyday workflows will drive unprecedented productivity and creativity across sectors.

Additionally, AI-powered edge computing will expand real-time decision-making, especially in IoT-heavy fields like manufacturing, healthcare and autonomous vehicles.

Privacy-centric AI will also become a priority, focusing on secure, decentralised data practices to build trust.

Lastly, advancements in quantum computing will begin to break today’s computational boundaries, setting the stage for breakthroughs in everything from drug discovery to complex logistics. 

These trends signal a future where AI and tech transform every facet of our lives, not just incrementally, but exponentially.

Essential diary dates for 2024 and 2025

Discover the essential diary dates for Technology Magazine and its sister publications Mobile Magazine and Data Centre Magazine.

To follow Tech & AI LIVE on LinkedIn, click here. 

2024 dates:

• Tech & AI LIVE New York | 20 November 

2025 dates

• Cloud & 5G LIVE | 4 February
• Data Centre LIVE | 25 March
• Tech & AI LIVE London | 14-15 May 
• Tech & AI Awards | 14 May
• Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI | 21 October
• Tech & AI LIVE New York | 18 November

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