Balakarthik Baskaran

Balakarthik Baskaran

Pioneering new realities. Engineering sustainable advantage.

20+ Years Global Tech & Business Leader | Applied Researcher | Shaping the Future of Industry 5.0 | DeepTech Innovator – AI, Data & Autonomous Intelligence | Sustainability-by-Design Strategist | Responsible AI Practitioner | Author

Balakarthik Baskaran

About me

With over two decades of strategic leadership at the intersection of technology and business, I enable Digital and Deep Tech - AI, Data, Decision Intelligence & Autonomous Intelligence driven transformation and Sustainability Advocacy for Fortune 500 Companies and global enterprises. My leadership blends deep technical expertise with strategic foresight to build future-ready organizations, accelerate decision intelligence, and deliver sustainable innovation at scale.

A passionate innovator and lifelong learner, I cultivate high-performing teams and lead AI-first, data-driven transformations through digital labs and centers of excellence — advancing human-centric, responsible, and enduring enterprise growth.

Strategic Vision

Building adaptive enterprises through tech and value creation

AI & Innovation

Pioneering human-centric AI & Data solutions

Sustainable Growth

Balancing innovation with responsibility

Strategic impact

20+
Years Leading IT Strategy, Retail Domain Excellence and Enterprise transformation
25+
AI & Data Solutions Ideated, Purpose Built, Deployed and Launched Globally
100+
C-Suite Engagements across globe for Fortune 500 and Global Enterprises

Leadership Journey

My career has been defined by guiding organizations through pivotal technological shifts—from early eCommerce adoption to today's AI revolution. Rather than a linear progression, my journey represents an evolution in strategic impact across the technology landscape.

Current Focus

Leading enterprise AI strategy and implementation, with emphasis on responsible technology and sustainable business models.

Core Philosophy

Technology should enhance human potential while driving measurable business outcomes and sustainable growth.

Trusted By Industry Leaders

Global Leadership, Strategy & Multi-Role Impact

Delivering enterprise transformation, innovation delivery, and strategic governance across the USA, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Bridging strategy, architecture, and execution to create adaptive, responsible, and future-ready organizations.

Enterprise transformation

Delivered DeepTech - AI, data-driven, and digital initiatives across continents, operating from developer to chief architect, consulting partner, and business leader. Partnered with CxOs and global teams to drive meaningful, end-to-end transformation.

Agile & AI-Enhanced Delivery

Executed global programs using Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, and AI-augmented models. Optimized value chains, accelerated business agility, and enabled purpose-led growth through intelligent delivery practices.

Governance & Advisory

Directed enterprise governance, architecture consulting, and technology adoption for complex, real-world challenges. Chaired client technical councils, architecture boards, and Responsible AI committees to ensure sustainable innovation.

Professional Experience & Leadership Journey

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

AVP, Head – AI, Customer Engagement & Innovation | Global | 2023 – Present

Leading global AI transformation initiatives delivering enterprise-wide value. Shaping Responsible AI strategy, adaptive experience platforms, and intelligent enterprise ecosystems.

Impact: AI strategy institutionalized across regions, building sustainable competitive advantage.

TCS – Europe & UK Leadership

Head – Enterprise Architecture | Sweden, UK | 2020 – 2022

Spearheaded modernization of legacy order management system, planning systems and other bespoke systems in the retail value chain across Europe and the UK. Guided digital transformation programs using multi-cloud architectures and composable frameworks. Acted as trusted board advisor on enterprise technology strategy.

Impact: Enabled cloud-first transformation and operational resilience across multi-region deployments.

Practice Head & Solution Architect | TCS

India, UK, USA | 2014 – 2020

Built and scaled global Centers of Excellence in Microservices, Cloud, and APIs. Led multi-continent digital commerce and CX modernization programs for enterprise clients. Mentored 300+ architects and engineers to drive solution innovation and delivery excellence.

Impact: Delivered consistent architecture excellence and repeatable innovation models globally.

Cognizant Technology Solutions

Senior Associate | India & USA | 2011 – 2014

Directed global digital commerce rollouts for leading retail clients. Scaled omnichannel operations and enhanced digital performance through Agile delivery.

Impact: Improved platform scalability and boosted digital sales performance.

Wipro Technologies

Technical Lead – eCommerce | India & USA | 2005 – 2011

Built enterprise commerce systems and led mobile commerce rollouts, optimizing performance and scaling user reach to millions across regions.

Impact: Enabled seamless omnichannel experience and enterprise scalability.

Core expertise

Deep Tech - AI and Data innovation

Developing Generative AI, Agentic AI, Conversational AI and Data-Driven solutions that transform enterprise decision-making and automate complex operations.

Enterprise transformation

Leading digital commerce, omnichannel retail, and legacy transformation initiatives to drive sustainable growth and enterprise-wide value creation.

Strategic advisory

Partnering with C-suites and boards to define Enterpise Digital Transformation, eCommerce, AI-first, data-driven strategies and guide global go-to-market initiatives.

Technical Proficiency

Enterprise Digital & AI Transformation 95%
AI & Data Technologies 90%
E-commerce & Omnichannel 95%
Cloud & Platform Architecture 85%
Global Leadership & Strategy 95%

Strategic Problems Solved & Outcomes Achieved

From driving AI-led enterprise transformation to shaping responsible innovation frameworks, my career has been about solving complex global challenges with scalable, human-centric solutions. Each initiative reflects a balance between technology foresight, sustainable growth, and purposeful innovation.

Enterprise AI Transformation

Led the design and delivery of enterprise-scale AI programs embedding Agentic AI, Generative AI, and Autonomous Intelligence across customer engagement, merchandising, supply chain, and sustainability domains.

Outcome: Transformed decision-making speed and accuracy across global Retail and CPG organizations.

AI Innovation Labs & Experience Centers

Established AI Factories, Co-Innovation Labs, and Experience Centers to industrialize AI solutions, foster collaboration, and demonstrate real-world value through immersive client engagements and strategic showcases.

Outcome: Accelerated enterprise AI adoption and influenced high-value strategic technology initiatives across global clients.

Enterprise Modernization & Value Creation

Modernized legacy technology ecosystems across the USA, UK, and Europe by implementing cloud-native, composable architectures and microservices for commerce, planning, and operations.

Outcome: Enabled 40% faster delivery cycles, cost optimization, and cloud sustainability improvements.

DeepTech - AI, Data & Decision Intelligence

Designed and developed Generative AI, Agentic AI, and RAG-based data pipelines to drive Predictive & Prescriptive analytics, Intelligent automation, Agentic AI Ops, AI Led Rapid Engineering & Adaptive decision-making.

Outcome: Enhanced operational agility and empowered self-learning enterprise systems.

Responsible AI & Ethical Governance

Directed technology governance, risk management, and Responsible AI initiatives via enterprise boards and AI ethics committees, defining policies for sustainable AI adoption.

Outcome: Established trust, transparency, and compliance within enterprise AI ecosystems.

Strategic GTM & Consulting

Partnered with C-suites, analysts, and global boards to define adaptive AI strategies, shape digital GTM initiatives, and guide enterprise-scale consulting engagements.

Outcome: Enabled consistent, purpose-led growth and measurable business transformation across industries.

Sustainability & Technology for Good

Advocated and implemented sustainable software engineering principles and AI for Good initiatives through Linux Foundation Green Certification, aligning innovation with long-term planetary goals.

Outcome: Promoted responsible technology adoption and sustainability awareness in enterprise delivery.

Thought Leadership & Publications

Authored Book on “Balanced Breakthrough: Responsible Technology” and published over 10 papers on AI, data strategy, and sustainability. Delivered global keynotes on enterprise innovation and ethical AI.

Outcome: Recognized as a global voice in AI-led transformation and sustainable innovation leadership.

Professional certifications

Microsoft

Azure Solutions Architect

Open Group

Certified Architect (Open CA)

Oracle / ATG

Certified Developer

Sun Microsystems

Certified Java Programmer

Business Futures

Omni-Channel Retailing & Supply Chains

Linux Foundation

Green Practitioner – Sustainable Software Engineering

Thought leadership & publications

Balanced Breakthrough

Balanced Breakthrough: Responsible Technology

A Net-Zero Guide promoting sustainability and human well-being. This book explores how technology, responsibility, and innovation can coexist harmoniously.

Latest Articles & Insights

Exploring AI, digital transformation, sustainability, and strategy.

Featured LinkedIn Articles

Orbisive Enterprise Intelligence

The Intelligence Backbone of Modern Retail.

Read Article →
Engineering AI with Emotional Intelligence

Building emotional depth into machine learning.

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The Silent Cost of AI

A wake-up call for retail’s sustainable future.

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Active Intelligence in IT Operations

From Reactive to Self-Evolving Systems.

Read Article →

Beyond technology

My passions extend beyond the digital realm, embracing activities that foster creativity, mental agility, and human connection.

Solving Rubik's Cube & Coaching

Mentoring aspiring cubers and exploring the mathematics behind puzzle algorithms.

Writing & Storytelling

Documenting inspiring achievements and stories that celebrate human potential.

Tamil Literature

Exploring rich Tamil literary heritage that celebrates wisdom and creativity.

Yoga & Wellness

Practicing mindfulness and physical wellness to maintain balance in a fast-paced world.

Creative Design

Exploring innovative app design and web stylings for exhilirating customer experiences.

Sports Enthusiast

Following cricket, football and hockey admiring teamwork and strategic excellence.

Personal Philosophy

"I am the architect of my purpose and the navigator of my destiny. Life's twists are my curriculum; its challenges, my canvas. I act with generosity and foresight, trusting my calibre to design impact. Never give up—simply learn to sail the storm."

Let's Connect

I'm open to discussing new challenges in AI, Digital Transformation, and Strategic advisory to scale enterprise innovation.

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