GDS Group

AI is transforming customer support, but strategy is everything. With expectations rising and support journeys becoming more complex, last night’s executive dinner in NYC put a bold question on the table: How do you blend AI-driven speed with the human empathy customers still crave? Hosted in partnership with IA Solutions, we were joined by senior leaders from T-Mobile, SAP, Mastercard, and more, for a candid conversation about: → Where AI can truly add value (hint: it’s not replacing people) → Why data-driven strategies are critical for agent empowerment → How to elevate the moments that matter most to your customers 👏 A huge thank you to Kristina Cartwright for guiding the discussion, and to our GDS team – Dijellza Sadiku, Jessie Mitchell, and Cassidy Webb – for making it all happen.

Across our New York, Miami, and Bristol offices, the GDS Christmas games have been in full swing. From major prizes including iPads, Dyson Airwraps and Beats headphones, to novelty gifts like socks (and Bristol’s parcel-stealing strategy), our teams have brought the energy this season. These moments capture what GDS is all about: drive, connection, and celebrating together after a year of hard work and strong results. Thank you to every team member who’s contributed to another outstanding year. Enjoy the highlights so far and here’s to an even bigger 2026.

Legacy networks weren’t built for AI. And enterprises are feeling the strain – rigid infrastructure, rising latency, limited visibility. It’s a bottleneck and one that’s increasingly unsustainable in the age of AI. Last night in San Francisco, we hosted and exclusive dinner in partnership with Lumen Technologies, senior leaders from Cloudflare, Ford Motor Company, NVIDIA, and more gathered to explore a smarter path forward. ▶ How to architect flexible, secure, software-defined networks ▶ Enhancing multicloud visibility and control ▶ Building the backbone to scale AI workloads with confidence Thank you to our brilliant moderator Amanda Brilhante for steering such a timely discussion and to the rest of the GDS team; Zoe Nokes, Madeleine Gordon, and Ewan Sinclair for delivering another standout experience.

Data was one of the biggest themes in 2025 – not just how much we have, but how we use it. → Amazon Web Services (AWS) spoke about turning data into a strategic asset instead of a checkbox exercise → IBM reminded us that improving data quality is a journey, not a one-time project → Estée Lauder raised the bar on transparency in AI and how organisations communicate their practices → General Motors pushed leaders to consider the risk of inaction, not just ROI These insights set the tone for what’s next – sharper decisions, smarter use of data, and a best-in-class approach to building trust in 2026. 👇 Highlights that stood out across our summits.

The role of CMO has outgrown the funnel and it is time to update the playbook. This blog walks through: → 7 field-tested strategies from CMOs at the top of their game → How to balance data discipline with creative risk → The evolution from campaign leader to growth strategist 📘 Learn what the next-gen CMO does differently: https://lnkd.in/eZKxcmJB

Every executive wants AI acceleration. But very few have built the workforce that can actually deliver it. Across industries, leaders told us the same story: AI is advancing faster than their people, processes, and culture. The companies that win aren’t the ones with the best models. They’re the ones with the best talent strategy for AI. Where is your organisation investing: More in the tooling or in the people who need to use it?

What happens when you bring healthcare decision-makers into the right room, with the right format? You create space for focused conversations that move strategy forward. At GDS, we don't run events. We design environments where leaders sharpen thinking, pressure-test plans, and leave with momentum. → If you're leading transformation in healthcare, let's talk about where you should be next.

Corporate training is under real pressure. From disengaged learners and constant information overload to global teams and high turnover, traditional methods simply aren’t cutting it. Last night in Atlanta, we hosted an exclusive executive dinner in partnership with Vimeo, where senior leaders from Siemens, American Express, Citi and more explored how video is reshaping the future of learning and development. More than just a medium, video is becoming a strategic lever ➡ Turning complex topics into accessible, engaging content ➡ Driving real knowledge retention ➡ Powering scalable, globally consistent training 👏 A huge thank you to Tim Cassidy for expertly guiding the conversation, and to our brilliant GDS team – Daisy Christides, Nora Mustafa, Jessie Mitchell, and Joe Reynolds – for bringing it all to life.

Looking back on 2025, the numbers tell one story – but the people tell the real one. 42 summits, 3,000+ attendees, 6,000+ projects and over $15B in project value mattered – but what defined this year was the collaboration. Across 13 industries, leaders came together to share knowledge peer-to-peer, ask tougher questions, explore new possibilities, and learn from one another in ways that don’t happen anywhere else. Those moments of connection are what make the numbers meaningful – thousands of instances where leaders helped leaders making these experiences truly best-in-class. To everyone who brought insight, honesty, and curiosity to the table this year: thank you. You made 2025 a year of genuine exchange and shared progress. Here’s to more collaboration, more learning, and more conversations that move industries forward in 2026 🎉

“Hire faster, scale smarter and do more with less.” It’s the reality for today’s HR leaders. But while AI promises efficiency, disconnected systems and legacy thinking still slow progress. Last night in partnership with Checkr, Inc., we brought together HR executives from L'Oréal, Bloomingdale's, PayPal, and more to rethink what strategic talent acquisition should look like in 2026 and beyond. ▶ Embedding AI into a connected HR tech stack ▶ Using data to scale hiring into new markets ▶ Treating TA and HR ops as business-critical functions A huge thank you to our partners at Checkr and to Kristina Cartwright for guiding a powerful, future-focused conversation. 👏 Shoutout to the brilliant GDS team behind the scenes: Puhiza Hyseni, Fatvardha Restelica, and Ere Graicevci, events like this don’t happen without you.