The US is shifting gears, from how industries operate to how they embrace tech. As AI agents become part of the workplace, we spoke to Shiraz Omar, Vice President – Digital at Fortude, about his insights from a16z’s Tech Week in NYC, shifting industry attitudes in the US, the tech trends he’s most excited about, and Fortude’s growth journey in the Americas.

1. What were some key themes or innovations at a16z’s Tech Week in NYC that stood out to you?

“AI was everywhere – tailored to industries and tackling tough deployment issues.”

Shiraz Omar: At a16z’s Tech Week in NYC, AI dominated the conversation. We saw a big focus on “vertical AI” – industry-specific AI solutions addressing real operational challenges in fields from manufacturing to energy. There’s a growing awareness of the hurdles enterprises face in deploying these AI tools at scale, especially around data privacy, security, and integration with legacy systems. Many tech leaders shared how robust governance and careful planning are needed to move AI pilots into production, given concerns like data privacy and ROI risk.

On the e-commerce front, generative AI is being used to optimize everything from product descriptions to ad targeting. But an interesting takeaway was that brands are balancing automation with a human touch: partnering with micro-influencers for authentic engagement, rather than relying solely on AI-generated content. And of course, beyond the sessions, the real energy came from networking – thousands of founders, investors, and innovators connecting across 1,000+ events citywide. The chance to swap ideas with such a diverse group of tech builders was as valuable as any panel or keynote.

2. How have recent U.S. macroeconomic developments (taxes, inflation, interest rates) shaped tech adoption?

“Value, not volume, is the new benchmark for tech investment.”

Shiraz Omar: Higher interest rates and inflation have made ROI king. Companies are laser-focused on tech that drives efficiency and delivers fast returns, rather than broad, speculative projects. In practice, that means digital initiatives must show clear operational value – doing more with less and doing it faster. We’ve also seen incentives (for example, policies encouraging domestic manufacturing) nudging firms to invest in relevant innovations. At the same time, trade and tariff pressures are inflating input costs, which pushes businesses to rethink supply routes and adopt technologies that optimize the supply chain and provide better visibility.

In this climate, operational efficiency isn’t just a goal – it’s a necessity. Every IT spend is being scrutinized for impact. Even cybersecurity spend has become non-negotiable despite tight budgets, because the cost of breaches is too high. Overall, U.S. organizations are prioritizing tech that drives value, aiming for quick wins that help navigate inflationary pressures and higher borrowing costs.

3. What shifts do you see emerging across industries like fashion and F&B? Could you highlight some standout tech trends?

“Innovation is blending high tech with high touch in these industries.”

Shiraz Omar: In fashion, we’re seeing technology woven into every part of the value chain. AI-driven design and forecasting are now helping brands analyze tons of data (from social sentiment to sales trends) to create products that hit the mark. There’s also a big push toward hyper-personalization – using AI to tailor recommendations and even design elements to individual consumer preferences. On the retail side, augmented reality (AR) try-ons have become a game-changer, letting customers virtually “wear” outfits via smartphone or smart mirrors. Fashion brands are also investing in sustainability tech, like blockchain for supply chain transparency (proving authenticity and ethical sourcing) and on-demand manufacturing (including 3D & digital printing) to reduce waste.

In Food & Beverage (F&B), the buzz is around smarter, more efficient operations. About half of F&B companies are investing in AI and advanced tracking systems to improve production and logistics. For instance, AI is accelerating new product development – even formulating novel recipes and ingredients – and improving real-time monitoring for food safety. Meanwhile, supply chain and traceability tools are big: producers are implementing tech to track ingredients and products from farm to table in near real time, which not only helps with safety compliance but also optimizes inventory and reduces spoilage.

Across both fashion and F&B, one standout trend is the rise of data-driven decision-making. Whether it’s a fashion retailer using data analytics for trend spotting or a beverage company using predictive models for demand forecasting, leveraging data has become the new competitive edge in these industries.

4. In response to U.S. manufacturers’ pressure to optimize, what digital trends are emerging?

“Real-time factories – connecting the shop floor to the top floor.”

Shiraz Omar: Faced with rising costs and labor challenges, U.S. manufacturers are embracing smart factory technologies to boost efficiency. A key trend is the use of IoT sensors and edge devices on the shop floor to stream real-time data into unified dashboards—connecting machines to management for shared, live visibility into equipment performance, output, and inventory. AI-powered predictive maintenance is also taking hold, using sensor data to anticipate failures before they cause downtime. Automation continues to scale, handling repetitive or precision tasks and freeing up human workers for higher-value work.

At the core of these advancements is the integration of OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology). Manufacturers are implementing cloud-based ERP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) platforms to connect data from production to finance. At Fortude, we help clients create this shop-floor to top-floor connectivity by embedding real-time manufacturing insights directly into their ERP, enabling faster decision-making and greater agility in the face of demand shifts or supply chain disruptions.

In short, the manufacturers leading the way are the ones building fully digital, data-driven operations with a 360° view of their businesses.

5. How are U.S. businesses adopting AI and AI-powered agents in practice?

“Practical pilots are everywhere – AI is becoming a daily co-worker.”

Shiraz Omar: U.S. businesses have moved past the AI hype and are now deploying it in practical, value-driven ways. In fact, more than three-quarters of U.S. executives say their teams are already using AI agents or assistants in some form. A common entry point is AI that augments employees, like coding copilots helping developers write and debug code, or customer service chatbots managing routine queries 24/7.

Often, these tools are embedded directly into everyday platforms—CRMs, office suites, analytics dashboards—so employees use AI throughout the day without needing separate apps. We’re also seeing early adoption of more autonomous agents, such as those handling inventory management or pricing adjustments based on real-time data.

Overall, companies are taking a phased, use-case-led approach: starting with AI applications that offer clear ROI, like automating manual tasks or surfacing insights faster. And so, AI is increasingly acting as a digital “co-worker,” freeing up human teams to focus on strategic work and paving the way for more ambitious transformations down the line.

6. With generative AI advancing, how does Fortude help clients balance innovation and governance, especially in regulated industries?

“Controlled innovation – we put guardrails around AI.”

Shiraz Omar: It’s all about governed innovation. We help clients, especially in regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and food & beverage, adopt AI securely and responsibly. We encourage experimentation with generative AI, such as prototyping chatbots or content tools, but always within a controlled environment to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

Fortude brings a strong data governance framework to every AI initiative, setting access controls, anonymizing sensitive data, and establishing audit trails. In regulated industries, we ensure AI workflows align with legal and ethical standards, keeping systems within private cloud environments, using explainable AI when needed, and incorporating human oversight before final decisions are made.

We also support clients with clear AI policies, staff training, and continuous monitoring to catch issues like bias or errors early. This balanced approach allows organizations to tap into the power of generative AI, boosting productivity and customer experience while staying compliant and building trust for long-term scale.

7. Could you share a standout Fortude U.S. case study of digital transformation through ERP, data, automation, or AI?

Turning data into decisions – a 3PL’s transformation.

Shiraz Omar: One example that stands out is a fast-growing U.S.-based 3PL provider we helped transform through data and analytics. They had vast logistics data—trucks, routes, shipments—but it was scattered across systems, making reporting slow and insights hard to come by.

Our team conducted a full analytics health check and then built a modern data platform using Microsoft Azure. We consolidated their data into a centralized lake and introduced real-time dashboards and self-service analytics.

The impact was huge: executives now have instant visibility into KPIs across sales and operations, with predictive insights like more accurate shipping cost forecasts. Manual data prep was cut by 50–60%, freeing up data teams to focus on deeper analysis.Self-service BI empowered business users to build their own reports, boosting agility and fostering a data-driven culture. This project became the foundation for their broader digital transformation—proof that with the right strategy, even the toughest data challenges can be solved.

8. What excites you about Fortude’s growth and partnerships in the U.S.?

 “Mid-market transformation at scale – with data, automation, and AI leading the way.”

Shiraz Omar: Honestly, it’s the outcomes we’re delivering that get me excited. Fortude’s rapid expansion in the U.S. is driven by mid-market companies seeking a partner that can bring cutting-edge digital solutions—data, automation, AI—with a personal, business-focused touch. We’re helping 120+ businesses globally, many in the U.S., solve challenges once thought “unsolvable,” from poor supply chain visibility to manual, time-intensive processes.

With the right mix of cloud ERP, automation, and AI-driven analytics, we’ve helped clients unlock control and visibility like never before, whether it’s shop-floor to top-floor analytics or AI-powered forecasting that replaces guesswork with precision. Partnerships are a big part of this journey. From Infor and Microsoft to new alliances like Ettos in sustainability, these relationships help us deliver tailored, future-ready solutions, especially in areas like ESG traceability.

What excites me most is seeing Fortude become a true transformation partner—modernizing systems, unlocking insights, and scaling innovation for our clients. The growth validates our hands-on, client-centric approach, and we’re just getting started. With each project, we’re not just solving today’s challenges, we’re building what’s next.