Insights from KPMG + Oracle Connect 2025: A Collaborative Client Journey

Clients learn how to drive business agility and innovation with AI and cloud technology at KPMG + Oracle Customer Connect

One of the best parts of being the Oracle Practice Leader at KPMG US, is spending time with customers at our cultural home, KPMG Lakehouse. I recently hosted over 60 clients across multiple industries at the second annual KPMG + Oracle Customer Connect. What makes this event special is that our alliance with Oracle is not just about technology; it's about crafting strategies that propel businesses forward, making them more agile and competitive. And this event was an incredible opportunity to engage with our clients, share insights, and explore the transformative potential of cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI). So, what did we discuss?

While there's no shortage of hype around AI, Oracle and KPMG are focused on delivering tangible value to businesses through practical AI solutions. One of the most significant takeaways from the event was the importance of trust, transparency, and ethical considerations in AI. We heard from our joint clients that they are ready to move beyond research and curiosity towards real-world application. With Oracle's mature AI solutions in Human Capital Management (HCM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Finance, we are helping our clients automate repetitive tasks and free up their workforce for more strategic, impactful work.

One of the central themes of our event was "Looking beyond SaaS." Oracle's extensive range of offerings in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), combined with KPMG's industry knowledge and capabilities, presents a significant opportunity. We can drive substantial value for our clients, far beyond just implementing SaaS solutions. This thorough approach enables us to address complex business challenges, and balance cost with performance to unlock new efficiencies.

Another key insight from our discussions is that AI can improve work efficiency by managing repetitive, routine tasks. This shift will make the workforce more productive across all industries. The maturity of AI solutions in areas like HCM, SCM, and Finance means that companies can start leveraging these technologies immediately to improve operations and outcomes. Of course, it’s important to note that one of the keys to successful AI adoption is a comprehensive data strategy, with unique data sets providing a competitive advantage for an organization’s AI models. The emphasis on human-AI collaboration is a cornerstone of our KPMG approach, determining that AI implementations are both ethical and reliable.

My key themes and takeaways:

Trust, Transparency, and Ethical AI: Ensuring transparency and human oversight in AI systems is critical for building trust and ethical deployment. Ethical considerations are crucial in deploying AI, fostering responsible use in technologies and preventing misinformation or manipulation.

Co-creation and Real-World AI Applications: Human creativity combined with AI can drive productivity and innovation, enhancing rather than replacing human work. This collaborative approach leverages the strengths of both humans and machines, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and breakthrough innovation

AI's Impact on the Workforce: The shift from transactional to collaborative roles underscores the importance of human-AI collaboration, creating new opportunities while emphasizing the need for ethical AI implementations.

Vision and Strategy: A clear, forward-looking vision is essential to navigate technological advancements and guide strategic decision-making, enabling organizations to navigate and capitalize on technological advancements effectively

I always feel energized after connecting with Oracle and our clients in-person, especially in such a transparent and collaborative setting, and I am excited about the future we are building together. My genuine hope is that all KPMG + Oracle Customer Connect attendees departed with valuable insights and an expanded network of executive colleagues. Thank you to all who actively contributed to this remarkable experience. Look forward to hosting you again soon at KPMG Lakehouse!