Invited Speaker
Dr. Tathagat Varma
Founder, Cognitive Chasm
Title: Theory of Cognitive Chasms: Delivering RoAI
Session Abstract:
Most AI transformation, including GenAI and Agentic AI solutions fail to deliver financial outcomes at enterprise scale. My doctoral research points to systemic gaps in adoption strategy that lead to the so-called “cognitive chasms”. In this talk, I shall discuss the causal framework behind successful AI transformation that help improve Return on AI (RoAI).
Target Audience: Business leaders, Change Leaders, Product leaders
About the Speaker
Dr. Tathagat Varma is an accomplished C-level software executive, entrepreneur, R&D Scientist and an established thought leader with over thirty years of progressive experience in global strategic, executive leadership, product innovation, and technical roles with Fortune 1-500 firms and Silicon Valley unicorns across the USA, Europe, China, and India. He has built multiple “1.0” software products with revenues exceeding billions of dollars, built four GCCs ground-up in hi-tech product development, scaled P/L operations to over 10,000+ FTEs, and led global teams in hi-tech domains, including retail, e-commerce, fintech, consumer internet, network management, datacom, consumer electronics, healthcare, and telecom. Tathagat has completed PhD from the Indian School of Business (ISB) on “Cognitive Chasms: A Grounded Theory of GenAI Adoption”. His research identifies antecedents, moderators, and consequents of GenAI adoption for a firm and proposes a grounded theory-based framework. His research bridges the critical gaps between theory and practice, making several key theoretical contributions to the adoption of cognitive technologies, such as GenAI, which can also be extended to dynamic and evolving general-purpose technologies.
Tathagat is an award-winning thought leader. He was recognized as LinkedIn Top Voice 2024. He has written over 1,000 articles and blogs and delivered over 750+ keynotes and talks on AI, Agile and Lean product development, Design Thinking, Leadership, Culture, Program Management, Business Ethics, Creativity, and Innovation at conferences, corporates, and colleges. He has authored two books: “Agile Product Development” (Apress, 2015) and “Agile Software Development” (Kindle, 2017). His third book on Cognitive Chasms, based on his doctoral research is due for publication in early 2026.
