Sarbjeet Johal on Making Sense of GenAI: From Hype to Practicality
In the fast-moving world of generative AI and agentic workflows, few voices are as grounded, experienced, and insightful as Sarbjeet Johal. With 30 years of hands-on experience building applications, researching tech trends, and working with enterprise giants like McDonald’s and Rackspace, Sarbjeet knows what it takes to make emerging technology work in the real world—not just in flashy demos or vendor decks.
As the founder and CEO of Stackpane, Sarbjeet helps enterprises cut through the noise and understand where technologies like GenAI actually fit into the puzzle. At the “Ditch the Drama” event, he didn’t sugarcoat the challenges but offered a practical framework that every IT team should hear.
Three Pillars: People, Processes, and Technology
Sarbjeet laid out a powerful lens for evaluating how enterprises should approach GenAI: People, Processes, and Technology. While most talks around AI dive straight into the latest toolsets, Sarbjeet wisely took a step back and reminded us—it’s not just about tech. It’s about how we train our teams, choose the right use cases, and evolve our stacks carefully and deliberately.
People: Training and Role Clarity
AI and GenAI aren’t “just another upgrade.” They require a mindset shift—and that starts with your people. Sarbjeet emphasized the importance of training practitioners, helping teams understand the nuances between traditional ML, LLMs, and GenAI, and building a shared understanding of where GenAI fits in the broader software lifecycle.
Each role—from developer to architect—needs clarity. Teams should learn how to infuse proprietary data into models safely and cost-effectively, all while preparing for changes in how applications are developed and maintained.
Processes: Pick the Right Use Cases, Not the Flashiest
One of the most powerful points Sarbjeet made? The process of selecting GenAI use cases matters more than the tech itself. If you start with the wrong project, you risk burning time, budget, and trust.
He shared a strategic approach using Gartner’s application buckets:
- Systems of Record: Core functions like P&L, HR, and supply chain. These are not the place to experiment with LLMs—hallucinations have no home here.
- Systems of Engagement: Customer-facing apps, CRM, marketing—great for GenAI pilots.
- Systems of Innovation: The experimental playground. Try things here, but with guardrails.
It’s all about matching risk with opportunity.
Technology: Take It Slow, in Micro-Chunks
Sarbjeet was refreshingly honest: don’t fall for the big bang AI promises. Bring in new technology incrementally, in micro-chunks, and avoid getting swept away by vendor narratives. He cited Narrative Economics to remind us that tech hype cycles can distort decision-making.
As for tools and platforms, he advised companies to evaluate cloud providers based on breadth of services, open-source compatibility, partner ecosystems, and how well those platforms align with your organization’s persona. Don’t just look for the shiniest AI solution—look for long-term fit.
Watch Sarbjeet’s Full Session
Final Thoughts: Ditch the Drama with Real Strategy
Sarbjeet’s session was a perfect fit for the “Ditch the Drama” event—a space where seasoned voices help teams cut through complexity and make confident, stress-free decisions about their cloud and AI futures.
That’s where N2W comes in. While your teams explore the next-gen possibilities of AI and agentic systems, N2WS ensures your cloud infrastructure stays stable, secure, and recoverable. No late-night panic. No blown SLAs. Just reliable, automated AWS backup and disaster recovery that helps IT teams reduce stress and reclaim control.
Because innovation doesn’t work when your foundations are on fire—and N2W is built to keep the lights on while you build what’s next.
