In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are rapidly redefining the corporate landscape, staying ahead of the curve is no longer optional—it’s essential.
On March 4th, Sara Alvarellos, Innovation Manager at NTT DATA, took the Futuristic stage at Talent Arena 2025 to share powerful insights on how AI is redefining corporate intelligence and fueling innovation across industries.
Noor Scoop had the exclusive opportunity to interview her before her conference, offering a sneak peek at how AI and generative AI are revolutionizing business operations.
A 20-year journey: How NTT DATA leads the game in AI and corporate intelligence
Alvarellos reflected on NTT DATA‘s journey in integrating the latest technologies into its corporate intelligence processes over the past 20 years.
What started as a manual process of scanning newspapers for market trends has evolved into a cutting-edge AI-driven system capable of extracting valuable information from massive datasets.
This evolution has increased operational efficiency by 40-50%, expanded NTT DATA’s services globally, and improved decision-making within the company.
In our exclusive interview, Alvarellos shared what she believes are the real challenges of AI adoption and digital transformation.
“The real challenge is not so much about the technology, but how it’s adopted,” she noted.
Her insight emphasizes that successful AI adoption isn’t just about innovation—it requires strong leadership, a forward-thinking corporate culture, and a willingness to embrace new technologies to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital world.
Generative AI and corporate intelligence: Unlocking the power of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
One of the most exciting tech advances Sara discussed during our conversation at Talent Arena 2025 was the adoption of generative AI and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
This innovative technique allows AI to extract valuable insights from unstructured data and generate responses in natural language.
For businesses relying on huge amounts of data, this is a game-changer in terms of efficiency and decision-making.
She explained, “We’ve seen significant benefits from using RAG to extract insights from unstructured data. It allows us to generate actionable responses in natural language, and while the technology is powerful, it’s crucial to ensure that the knowledge corpus is curated by experts.”
This human-AI collaboration is fundamental to maintaining accuracy and reliability, something that is essential for the successful implementation of artificial intelligence in corporate environments.
AI and cybersecurity: Reducing risks and enhancing productivity
As AI adoption continues to grow, data security remains a major concern for many businesses.
In our conversation with Sara Alvarellos, she addressed these concerns while highlighting how artificial intelligence can increase efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more value-added activities that foster innovation.
“AI is a game-changer in enhancing productivity by automating routine tasks, giving employees the time they need to drive innovation and add value,” Alvarellos explained.
However, she also acknowledged the need for AI cybersecurity measures, stating, “While AI undoubtedly enhances capabilities, it also comes with its “blind spots” and challenges. It’s crucial to keep an eye on how regulations evolve and are applied across different regions. There will be an impact on employment, but not in the way we once envisioned—with robots taking over manual tasks—rather, it will affect the knowledge economy.”
As companies expand their AI initiatives, cybersecurity is more important than ever.
By optimizing productivity with artificial intelligence and adopting solid cybersecurity measures, businesses worldwide can secure a safer and more efficient future.
5 tech trends to watch for: From digital sustainability to cognitive cloud convergence
During our interview, Alvarellos shared some of the most exciting AI trends that are set to reshape the future of business.
Drawing on insights from the NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2025 report, she highlighted five key trends that will be pivotal in driving digital transformation over the next several years:
- Enhanced Human Capabilities: AI, machine learning, and automation are enhancing human capabilities and boosting productivity across industries. These technologies take care of repetitive tasks, giving employees more time to focus on meaningful work, and unlocking creativity and innovation.
- Ambient Intelligent Experience: AI is changing customer experiences by delivering highly personalized services. By tapping into real-time insights, businesses can offer mood-based recommendations that are perfectly tailored to each customer’s unique needs and preferences, boosting engagement and satisfaction.
- Digital Sustainability for Economic Resilience: AI is playing a key role in helping businesses address environmental challenges. By promoting sustainable practices and enhancing operational efficiency, AI helps companies reduce their carbon footprint and supports wider sustainability efforts, ensuring they remain resilient in the long run.
- Cognitive Cloud Convergence: Real-time data processing is revolutionizing decision-making, especially in fast-paced environments. Businesses are now able to process large amounts of data instantly, empowering them to make quick, informative decisions. This is especially crucial in areas like autonomous vehicles, where every millisecond counts.
- Accelerated Security Fusion: AI is making cybersecurity more sophisticated than ever. New systems actively detect vulnerabilities and reduce response times, enabling companies to protect their digital infrastructures more effectively. This ensures system integrity as they grow and integrate advanced technologies.
These trends highlight the profound impact artificial intelligence will continue to have across digital industries, underscoring the need for businesses to integrate this technology seamlessly into their everyday workflows to stay competitive.
The future of AI: How continuous learning and adaptability will shape tomorrow’s workforce
She wrapped up her interview with some insightful advice she would give to her younger self when it comes to embracing new technologies like artificial intelligence: “This is a marathon, a long race where you have to keep learning constantly, and it’s okay to be the one who knows the least, but you always have to keep learning and studying. That’s the key, well, and being patient [laughs].”
She also mentioned that artificial intelligence should be seen as an opportunity for transformation rather than a threat, noting that its ethical and thoughtful implementation will define its long-term success.
Adopting AI can be a real challenge for businesses, but continuous upskilling and reskilling are essential for staying ahead of the curve.
Alvarellos revealed that patience and adaptability are essential traits for those professionals and companies that want to thrive in the tech industry.
Staying open-minded to the continuous changes and endless opportunities that AI offers is key to succeeding in this evolving landscape.
Talent Arena 2025: A hub for AI, emerging tech trends, and corporate intelligence
My conversation with Sara Alvarellos from NTT DATA, along with three insightful days at Talent Arena 2025, provided invaluable perspectives.
We explored how emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, are driving innovation, enhancing performance, and reshaping the future of work.
For an in-depth look at these innovative technologies and how to optimize your workflows and daily routines with AI, don’t miss Alvarellos’ full video on Noor Scoop’s YouTube channel.
Watch the video below.
