Dheeren Vélu — CEO
🚀 Curious | First-principles Thinker | Relentless | Competitive I’m an award-winning IT executive and AI pioneer, specialising in Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and Enterprise Innovation. I currently serve as Head of Innovation and AI GTM Lead for Capgemini Australia & New Zealand, reporting directly to the CEO. As part of the Executive Leadership Teams (ELTs) for several strategic accounts, I lead end-to-end innovation capability operations, people leadership, and market-shaping strategies that deliver measurable growth and transformation for Capgemini & its clients. With over 22 years of experience, I have been deeply involved in AI long before today’s hype cycle. I specialised academically in Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in 2003 & have experienced every wave of AI evolution - from expert systems & machine learning to today’s frontier foundation models. I’ve contributed to some of the earliest enterprise-scale AI applications, including: • Computer Vision for Skin Cancer Detection (IBM, Melanoma Institute & MoleMap) • Architecting one of the first AI Assistive Technology platforms for Deakin University • Former IBM Watson Cognitive Solutions Leader, and have implemented some of the earliest AI enterprise solutions in Australi, including AI-based Virtual Advisors & Deep QA systems In 2019, I was honoured with the IT Professional of the Year Award by the Australian Computer Society, for my pioneering work in AI & contributions to the Australian tech community. Today, my mission is to help organisations translate bold visions into scalable AI-first transformations. Under my leadership, we have delivered dozens of AI projects across AWS, Google & Azure, and forged partnerships with vendors, start-ups, and accelerators across FinTech, RegTech, GreenTech, and MedTech - building thriving innovation ecosystems. I hold multiple patents in AI, including sentiment detection in natural language & Generative AI IP protection in music, & actively shape the global conversation on Responsible AI. As Chair of the AI Industry Board at RMIT University, I bridge academia & industry, preparing the next generation of AI leaders. Beyond the boardroom, I’m a TEDx speaker, keynote presenter, & startup mentor, passionate about Human+AI operating models, scaling innovation capabilities, and inspiring teams to think beyond the obvious. 💡 Let’s Connect I’m open to connecting with innovators, business leaders & change-makers passionate about shaping the future of AI. Reach out to collaborate, explore AI-first strategies, or invite me to speak at your event.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in AI and enterprise innovation across multiple sectors.
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Experience: 20 yrs 3 mos
Skills
- Ai
- Data Science
- Web3
- Metaverse
Career Highlights
- Award-winning IT executive and AI pioneer.
- Led pioneering AI projects for major organizations.
- Chair of AI Industry Board, bridging academia and industry.
Work Experience
RMIT Centre for Industrial AI Research and Innovation
Chair of AI Industry Advisory Board (3 yrs 11 mos)
Capgemini
Head of GenAI & Web3 Stream @ Capgemini Metaverse Lab (Global) (4 yrs 1 mo)
Senior Director, Applied Innovation (AIE) - Aus / NZ (6 yrs 4 mos)
Capgemini Invent
Director of Artificial Intelligence (7 yrs 1 mo)
TEDx
TEDx Speaker (1 yr 3 mos)
Junovate
Board Member & Co-founder (7 yrs 7 mos)
CBA Strategic IT
Head of AI, Aus/NZ (1 yr 11 mos)
In2IT Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Director of AI & Country Lead, Australia (1 yr)
IBM
AI & Cognitive Solutions Leader (1 yr 2 mos)
Snr Managing Consultant (2 mos)
Various Senior Management & Technical Consulting Roles (7 yrs 8 mos)
Managing Consultant (3 mos)
IBM Australia | IBM Japan - BPM & Integration
Snr Managing Consultant (2 mos)
IBM
IT Consultant (1 yr 4 mos)
Education
Executive Program | Implications for Business Strategy at MIT Sloan School of Management
Bachelor of Engineering - BE at Visvesvaraya Technological University
ICSE at FRANK ANTHONY PUBLIC SCHOOL THE
