Hertz CIO Tim Langley-Hawthorne on Cloud, AI, and Reinventing the Rental Car Experience

Hertz CIO Tim Langley-Hawthorne joins Peter High on Technovation to share how he's modernizing a $9B global fleet operation through AI, cloud, and a product-first mindset. Since joining post-COVID, Tim has sunset Hertz’s data centers, scaled AWS infrastructure, launched a consumer+fleet product org, and embedded AI from customer chat to tire inspections. He explains why he rejected a centralized AI model, the power of grassroots innovation, and why partnerships with firms like Palantir and Amadeus are accelerating results. This episode is packed with real-world digital transformation strategies from a high-stakes, asset-heavy enterprise.   Highlights include: * Product Operating Model: Merged consumer and fleet tech under dual product strategy. * AI in Action: How decentralized AI is enhancing CX, fleet, and operational speed. * Fleet Optimization: Partnership with Palantir to keep cars rented and moving. * Post-COVID Reset: Lessons in fleet lifecycle economics and demand response. * Culture Change: Infusing big tech talent with long-tenured ops veterans.

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Twice-weekly conversations with top executives and thought leaders at the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. Each episode of Technovation explores the technology trends that are transforming business, and the leaders driving digital change inside their organizations. Produced by Metis Strategy and hosted by firm President Peter High, Technovation is the premier podcast for IT and technology professionals with the largest collection of interviews with elite CIOs, CTOs, and CDOs.