By: Mae Cornes
People often appreciate how technology makes everything easier, sometimes to the point where they rely on it for nearly every task. This tendency to depend on technology can eventually become a crutch—a habit that is increasingly common worldwide. This is a trend that futurist and technologist Vinay Makkaji aims to address.
Technology and innovation should ideally serve as tools to help people achieve more, not as crutches. This perspective drives Vinay Makkaji’s work as he develops technological solutions to enhance life, business, and work. His contributions have earned him recognition, including a Global Recognition Award, for advocating that technology, in all its forms, remains a tool, with the real work falling to the people who use it.
Recently honored with a 2025 Global Leader in Cloud Innovation and Enterprise Architecture Award, Makkaji has emerged as an influential voice in an industry navigating rapid technological advancement alongside growing discussions about the ethical implementation of AI. His approach, which highlights technology as an enabler rather than a substitute for human judgment, has gained traction among businesses facing today’s complex digital landscape. “The key consideration isn’t just adopting AI,” Makkaji says, “but implementing it in ways that complement human capabilities rather than overshadow them.”
Balancing AI’s Role in Enterprise Architecture
“Discussions about digital transformation frequently center on technology alone,” Makkaji explains. “Yet meaningful transformation starts with understanding human challenges before identifying the right technological solutions.”
As 2025 unfolds, the technology sector continues to expand, with global IT spending projected to increase by approximately 9.8 percent this year. A major driver of this growth is generative AI, which has progressed from the experimental phase of 2024 into broader production deployments across industries.
Makkaji’s work has placed him among the key figures in this evolution, particularly in retail technology. In a recent Forbes Technology Council article, he explored how retailers might leverage technology to cut costs while maintaining customer experience. “Retailers face distinct challenges, including tight margins and high customer expectations,” Makkaji notes. “Modernizing legacy systems can help streamline complex processes, potentially improving efficiency and billing accuracy.”
The semiconductor industry, which Makkaji tracks closely due to its influence on cloud infrastructure, is seeing double-digit growth in 2025, fueled largely by demand for generative AI chips. “AI is now shaping chip design in ways that create a cyclical relationship,” Makkaji observes. “This dynamic suggests that AI could play a growing role in accelerating its own advancements.”
Still, Makkaji urges caution regarding the security risks of these developments. “Reports indicate that the global cost of cybercrime could reach US$10.5 trillion in 2025,” he highlights. “While a majority of executives recognize the need for secure AI, only a fraction of current generative AI projects meet robust security standards. Addressing this gap remains a critical challenge for businesses.”
Developing Resilient Technology Ecosystems Amid Global Fragmentation
With geopolitical tensions influencing the tech industry in 2025, governments worldwide are pursuing technological autonomy through export controls, trade barriers, and industrial policies. For enterprise architects like Makkaji, this fragmentation brings both difficulties and possibilities.
“We encourage clients to consider diversifying their suppliers and manufacturing operations,” Makkaji explains. “The objective isn’t total self-reliance, which may not be feasible, but rather creating adaptable systems that can respond to regional disruptions.”
This perspective has grown more relevant as major tech companies expand production to countries like India and Vietnam to lessen reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Makkaji’s expertise in cloud infrastructure has been valuable for organizations managing these supply chain shifts.
“Effective cloud architecture isn’t solely about technology,” Makkaji says. “It’s also about designing flexible systems that can adjust to evolving business needs. When geopolitical changes disrupt supply chains, companies with well-structured cloud infrastructure may adapt more swiftly.”
Makkaji’s work with microservices architecture illustrates this principle. At a recent industry conference, he presented how Capgemini’s Microservices Library can help organizations adjust their digital capabilities in reaction to external pressures.
Despite concerns about technology’s role in geopolitical tensions, Makkaji views the future of enterprise technology with cautious optimism. “Technology shouldn’t be adopted simply because it’s available,” Makkaji says. “Impactful digital transformations are those that empower people rather than diminish their role. As AI advances, our biggest challenge—and opportunity—is guiding people to use technology as a tool, not a crutch.”
