Driving digital clarity: How ZEISS India is shaping adaptive, AI-powered transformation

As digital transformation enters a more mature, outcome-oriented phase, enterprises are shifting from expansion to optimisation. In this conversation with Dataquest, Prakash Kumar, Head of Corporate IT at ZEISS India Global Capability Center, discusses how transformation strategies are becoming more business-led, value-anchored, and precision-driven — where AI, automation, and data connect seamlessly to create resilience and innovation.

In what ways have digital transformation strategies evolved as enterprises navigate changing business realities?

Digital transformation today is far more adaptive and outcome-driven than ever before. The focus has shifted from large-scale modernization projects to building agile, data-connected systems that can respond quickly to market dynamics. At ZEISS, we see transformation as a business-led initiative where technology becomes the enabler for faster innovation, smarter decision-making, and stronger customer value. The goal now is not just to digitize processes but to create a culture of continuous evolution.

The most successful CIOs are those who treat transformation as an evolving partnership between people, processes, and platforms.

Among aligning strategy with budgets, nurturing talent, and demonstrating ROI—what remains the toughest balancing act for CIOs?

All three are interconnected, but the toughest challenge lies in translating innovation into measurable business outcomes. Technology investments must now deliver clear ROI while also enabling future readiness. Balancing cost optimization with innovation especially in a fast-evolving digital landscape requires strong governance and strategic clarity. As an organization we emphasize capability building and talent empowerment just as much as technology investment to ensure transformation delivers lasting impact.

Are organisations continuing to scale their automation, AI, and cloud initiatives, or are they now focusing more on fine-tuning and efficiency?

We’re seeing a shift from acceleration to optimization. Enterprises have already made foundational investments in AI, automation, and cloud. The current focus is on extracting maximum efficiency, interoperability, and intelligence from these systems. Our approach is to use AI and analytics to enable precision whether in manufacturing, R&D, or customer experience so that every investment directly enhances efficiency and innovation.

From your perspective, what guiding principle should every CIO adopt to ensure transformation remains adaptive and value-driven?

Anchor every transformation initiative to business value. Technology for technology’s sake no longer works. The most successful CIOs are those who treat transformation as an evolving partnership between people, processes, and platforms. We believe adaptability comes from empowering teams with data and tools that translate insights into tangible outcomes.

In this fast-changing economy, how can technology partners play a more strategic role in helping CIOs reimagine transformation and deliver lasting impact?

In today’s dynamic business environment, CIOs are looking for more than vendors—they’re looking for strategic collaborators who can co-own outcomes. Technology partners must bring a deep understanding of the enterprise’s business context, not just technical expertise. The focus has shifted from delivering standalone solutions to co-creating value through integrated ecosystems that drive measurable impact.

We believe successful partnerships are built on three pillars—alignment, agility, and accountability. CIOs now expect their tech partners to align innovation with business strategy, stay agile to market shifts, and be accountable for tangible results. The emphasis is on delivering not only technology capability but also operational insight, user experience, and long-term scalability. Transformation today is no longer about implementing tools—it’s about building trust and delivering outcomes that matter.

shrikanthg@cybermedia.co.in