From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht

Episode 1.2: Burning Platform - John Hagel III, Futurist, Best Selling Author of 'Journey Beyond Fear.' Video

From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht

Show Notes

In this razor-sharp episode, Phil sits down with John Hagel III, a seasoned technology leader with over 40 years in Silicon Valley, to explore the deep-rooted changes shaping the tech industry. Reflecting on his decades of experience, from founding Deloitte's Center for the Edge to senior roles at Atari and McKinsey, Hagel offers a unique lens on the rapid evolution of technology. They discuss the pivotal role of AI in today's landscape, comparing the current wave of innovation to the early days of the internet, while emphasizing the interconnected nature of emerging technologies like quantum computing.

Hagel also challenges the traditional motivations behind technological adoption, contrasting fear-driven urgency with the potential of opportunity-driven transformation. He examines why most decision-makers are hesitant about AI, even as it promises exponential change. Throughout the conversation, Hagel critiques the slow pace of enterprise innovation, highlighting the burden of legacy systems and technical debt. He advocates for a shift from "scalable efficiency" models to "scalable learning," suggesting that the future lies in nurturing adaptability and growth rather than focusing solely on cost-cutting.

More from From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht

Oct 22, 2026

In this episode of From the Horse's Mouth, HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht sits down with Alan Trefler, Founder and CEO of Pegasystems, for a candid conversation on how enterprises should approach AI without getting caught up in the hype.

Sep 9, 2026

In this episode of From the Horse's Mouth, HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht sits down with Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of Box, to explore the next decade of enterprise AI, agents, and knowledge work.

Sep 2, 2026

In this episode of From the Horse's Mouth, HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht sits down with Steve Chase, Global Head of AI and Innovation at KPMG, for a candid conversation on where enterprise AI really is right now, and why this moment is different from every hype cycle that came before it.

Aug 26, 2026

In this episode of From the Horse's Mouth, HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht speaks with Kristin Milchanowski, Chief AI & Quantum Officer and Founding Director, BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum, BMO Financial Group.

Aug 12, 2026

In this episode of From the Horse's Mouth, HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht speaks with Ritesh Idnani, MD & CEO of Firstsource, for a candid discussion on how AI is reshaping the business process services industry.

See all episodes →