Girish holds an Engineering degree in Electronics and Communications and brings 39 years of customer-focused experience in the Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Telecom sectors. 

Girish was recognised and awarded by India's Minister of Communications & IT, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra for his 'dedication to excellence & spirit of selfless service' and for setting up India's first satellite Internet gateway. 

INDIAai interviewed Girish Bhandarkar to get his perspective on AI.

As Chief Customer Officer, how do you see AI transforming customer experience in digital transformation and cybersecurity, and what role does Inspira play in this evolution? 

AI is fundamentally changing the way we interact with technology and our customers. It enables us to personalize experiences, anticipate needs, and respond to issues more swiftly than ever. In digital transformation, AI helps streamline processes and improve efficiency, making businesses more agile. The technology is leveraged in cybersecurity to detect and respond to threats proactively. At Inspira, we're leveraging AI to build smarter solutions that protect our clients from cyber threats and enhance their overall experience. We're committed to being at the forefront of this evolution, ensuring that our customers reap the full benefits of AI securely and responsibly. 

Given the rapid evolution of AI in cybersecurity, what emerging trends do you foresee that will reshape the industry, and how is Inspira Enterprise adapting to these changes to better serve its global customers? 

We are shifting towards AI-driven threat detection and response systems that quickly adapt to emerging threats. Machine learning algorithms are becoming more sophisticated, enabling us to predict and mitigate risks before they impact our clients. At Inspira, we invest heavily in these technologies to enhance our cybersecurity offerings. We're also focusing on integrating AI with our existing systems to provide a seamless experience for our global customers, ensuring they stay ahead in an ever-changing threat landscape. 

In your previous roles at BT, you helped drive AI-backed digital transformation in telecommunications. How has your experience in telecom informed your current approach to integrating AI in the IT and cybersecurity sectors? 

Working in telecom at BT has given me valuable insights that shape how I apply AI in IT and cybersecurity. Both fields face challenges like managing massive data, optimizing networks, and tackling evolving threats. Here’s how my telecom experience enhances my approach: 

• Managing Data at Scale: Handling large data streams daily taught me to build scalable, real-time data processing systems essential for AI-driven threat detection in cybersecurity. 
• Strong Network Security Foundations: My time in telecom sharpened my skills in identifying vulnerabilities and implementing effective defences, which I apply to adopt AI tools for proactive cybersecurity. 
• Fast Decision-Making: Telecom demands quick responses to issues. This experience enables me to implement AI solutions for rapid, real-time threat response in cybersecurity. 
• End-to-end Infrastructure Knowledge: A complete understanding of telecom systems helps me integrate AI smoothly across IT and cybersecurity for seamless operation and resilience. 
• Practical AI & Automation: Familiarity with telecom’s use of AI for automation and maintenance equips me to apply tested, effective AI solutions to IT and cybersecurity. 
• Focus on Resilience: Telecom’s high-reliability standards taught me to prioritize building robust, fail-safe systems, crucial for continuous cybersecurity operations. 

These insights help me design secure, efficient, and resilient AI-driven IT and cybersecurity solutions. 

AI is enabling smarter, more adaptive networks within telecom. How do you envision Inspira utilizing AI to improve network security and resilience for customers across industries? 

Inspira is leveraging AI to create networks that can autonomously self-monitor, detect anomalies, and respond to potential threats. We can enhance network resilience and reduce downtime by implementing machine-learning models that learn from each interaction. This approach improves security and ensures that our customers across various industries can operate confidently, knowing intelligent systems protect their networks. 

Can you share recent innovations or applications significantly impacting customer satisfaction and business efficiency? 

We have recently introduced an AI-powered analytics platform that provides real-time insights into network performance and security threats. This tool has enabled our clients to make informed decisions quickly, reducing response times and increasing operational efficiency. Additionally, our automated compliance management system has simplified the regulatory adherence process, saving time and resources for our customers. 

As a key leader at Inspira, how are you preparing the organization for long-term AI integration in cybersecurity, particularly in addressing data privacy and regulatory compliance challenges? 

We are taking a proactive approach by embedding data privacy and compliance considerations into every stage of our AI development process. It includes regular audits, employee training, and staying updated on global regulatory changes. By fostering a culture of responsibility and transparency, we ensure our AI integration advances our technological capabilities and upholds the highest standards of ethics and compliance. 

What transformative potential do you believe AI holds for the next 5–10 years, particularly in predictive analytics and AI-driven security? 

AI has the potential to revolutionize predictive analytics by providing unprecedented accuracy in forecasting trends and identifying risks. In cybersecurity, AI will enable systems to anticipate and neutralize threats before they materialize, shifting from a reactive to a proactive defence posture. Over the next decade, AI can facilitate more secure, efficient, and intelligent operations across all sectors, fundamentally changing how businesses operate. 

Considering your journey in IT and cybersecurity, what advice would you give emerging leaders in AI-driven industries on delivering impactful, customer-centred solutions? 

Stay curious and committed to understanding your customers' actual needs. Technology should be a tool to enhance human experiences, not just an end in itself. Focus on building solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and user-friendly. Keep ethics at the forefront of AI development, ensuring your solutions build trust and provide genuine value. Collaboration and continuous learning are key—surround yourself with diverse perspectives and never stop seeking knowledge.