Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Jim Peko on Building the Future of Professional Services at Grant Thornton

Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Show Notes

Professional services is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades, and AI is only part of the story.

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, about how the firm is redefining the professional services model through private equity, platform consolidation, strategic acquisitions, and a $1 billion technology investment. Jim explains why incremental change is no longer enough, why data will become the true competitive differentiator, and how firms can balance innovation with the trust that clients expect.

You’ll also hear Jim’s perspective on AI governance, agentic AI, the future of talent, evolving pricing models, and why professional services firms must rethink their operating model to remain competitive in an era of rapid technological change.

This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation

More from Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Oct 22, 2026

AI layered onto a broken process doesn’t fix the process; it just runs it faster. Prakash Kota spent his first 18 months at UKG consolidating two legacy companies into unified CRM, ERP, and data systems before any AI conversation began. Now, as Chief Transformation Officer, he is shifting the question from “what tools can we deploy?” to “what outcome are we trying to reach?” That discipline extends to the customer funnel, where AI-assembled signals travel with a prospect through every handoff, and to sales reps, where an autonomous assistant pushes pre-meeting briefs before a rep has to ask, reclaiming the 40–50% of call-prep time currently spent on research.

Oct 19, 2026

The binding constraint on AI adoption is not access to tools. It is the organizational fear and mindset shift required to reimagine work entirely.

Oct 15, 2026

Healthcare has accumulated friction that patients have come to accept as normal. Novant Health’s Chief AI Officer is systematically dismantling it.

Oct 12, 2026

Most generative AI programs stall at the pilot stage. Zoetis reached 95% computer-based colleague adoption.

Oct 9, 2026

The next generation of technology giants may not be built in software. They may be built in factories.

See all episodes →