Ideaverse
Welcome to Ideaverse podcast, your key to digital transformation, hosted by Mark Durham and powered by HCLSoftware. Each week, engage with industry experts and professionals, sharing experiences and insights on IT modernization, software development, and more. Whether an IT professional, software developer, business leader, or digital enthusiast, Ideaverse offers thought-provoking topics and inspiration for your digital journey. Tune in and embark on the future of digital innovation!
Episodes

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
The role of the software developer is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. With AI-powered coding tools becoming mainstream and low-code/no-code platforms enabling more people to build applications, the expectations for developers are shifting fast.
In this episode, we explore how these technologies are reshaping what it means to be a developer, which skills are becoming essential, and what this evolution means for job security, productivity, and long-term career growth. Whether you're writing your first line of code or leading a development team, this conversation is packed with insight to help you understand—and get ahead of—the changes happening now.

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
In this episode of The IdeaVerse Podcast, hosts Mark Durham and Mitali Sharma dive into a pressing question: Can artificial intelligence help us fight the climate crisis?
From predicting extreme weather and optimizing energy use to protecting rainforests and tracking global emissions, we explore real-world applications where AI is already making a measurable impact. Tune in to discover how technology and ecology are intersecting—and what it means for our collective future.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
In this episode, Mark and Mitali explore one of today’s most fascinating—and potentially dangerous—tech dilemmas: autonomous AI agents.
Can these systems truly enhance enterprise security, or are they creating new types of risks? From goal misalignment to identity threats, they outline five major areas where things can go wrong.
A clear, timely conversation about what’s at stake when machines begin making critical decisions on their own.

Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Cybersecurity budgets are bigger than ever—yet so are cybercrime losses. In this episode of IdeaVerse, hosts Mark Durham and Mitali Sharma dive into the surprising gap between cybersecurity investment and real-world protection.
They explore the growing impact of ransomware, the rise of organized cybercrime, and why known vulnerabilities remain a massive risk. With insights from the 2024 Verizon report and the 2025 RSA Conference, this discussion unpacks what’s broken—and how organizations can fix it.

Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
In this second part of our conversation with Brian Gillespie, VP of E-Commerce at HCLSoftware, we explore the evolving landscape of integrated composable commerce.
Brian dives into how businesses can balance flexibility and integration, the critical role of packaged business capabilities (PBCs), and why true personalization hinges on seamless data strategies.
From vendor ecosystems to the potential of VR and augmented reality in commerce, this episode sheds light on how forward-thinking organizations are building agility, scalability, and real-time insights into their digital strategies.

Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
E-commerce has transformed dramatically over the years, shaping the way businesses operate and customers shop. In this episode of Ideaverse, we speak with Brian Gillespie, VP of E-Commerce at HCL, about the journey from early online shopping carts to today’s cutting-edge composable commerce architectures.
Brian unpacks the advantages and challenges of monolithic vs. microservices-based approaches, the importance of packaged business capabilities (PBCs), and how businesses can optimize agility, scalability, and performance in the digital marketplace.

Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
In this follow-up episode, Mark Durham and AI expert Raj Dutta continue their conversation into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. They explore how AI is shifting from the background to the front end of user interactions, reshaping workflows, and opening up new experimental spaces for innovation.
Raj shares insights on the balance between proprietary and open-source AI models, the acceleration of AI-driven applications, and the potential tipping point of AGI. Could AI's ability to adapt and learn redefine industries in ways we never expected? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the next wave of AI transformation.

Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
In this first part of a two-part episode of Ideaverse, host Mark Durham sits down with Raj Dutta, Head of Communications for HCL Software, to discuss the real impact of AI beyond the buzz. They explore the shift from infrastructure investments to tangible applications, the role of data in unlocking AI’s potential, and the evolution of AI-driven business models. Is AI truly transforming industries, or are we still laying the tracks? Tune in to find out. 🎙️🚀

Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
In Part 2 of this engaging two-episode series on Ideaverse, Chançard Kanga and Mark Durham explore Africa’s digital transformation journey. They discuss key themes such as cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and mobile-first strategies shaping the continent’s future. Learn how African governments and businesses are embracing innovation, overcoming challenges, and building a connected, tech-driven future through global partnerships.

Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
In this first part of a two-episode series, explore how digital infrastructure is transforming Africa's economic landscape on Ideaverse. Join Mark Durham and Chançard Kanga, HCLSoftware’s leader in the African market, as they discuss the critical role of technology in fostering innovation, enhancing private sector growth, and driving government-led digital transformation. Discover inspiring success stories, from advancements in mobile payments to the rise of solar energy solutions, and learn why Africa is poised to be the next frontier of global digital innovation.