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 2 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 9 mos)
Capgemini
Head of GenAI & Web3 Stream @ Capgemini Metaverse Lab (Global) (3 yrs 11 mos)
Senior Director, Applied Innovation (AIE) - Aus / NZ (6 yrs 2 mos)
Capgemini Invent
Director of Artificial Intelligence (6 yrs 11 mos)
TEDx
TEDx Speaker (1 yr 3 mos)
Junovate
Board Member & Co-founder (7 yrs 5 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
