Mihai Constandiș, Country Manager Cognizant Technology Solutions Romania: The industry is in a moment of transition from traditional software engineering to technology-assisted engineering and automation

Outsourcing Today, the business services industry’s community networking and news integrated platform, resumes the series of interviews dedicated to evolution, expectations and opportunities in business services and related industries.

Business leaders, managers of strategic departments of companies, key voices in their field shared their insights depicting the new beginning of this year in business, how it looks, how it is anticipated, what adjustments are included in 2025’s agenda and the perspective of growth.

Find the full series of interviews here

We spoke recently with Mihai Constandiș, Country Manager Cognizant Technology Solutions Romania about the business evolution, trends and expectations of growth.

Find below the insights:

Strategic Vision and Market Trends

What are the key trends you believe will shape your industry in 2025?

In 2024, global macroeconomic uncertainty and unpredictability has led to greater caution among companies in investing activities. Instead, they focused more on optimizing current infrastructures and preparing for the future where AI will play a significant role.

And here we are today at an inflection point in the IT industry. There are several intersecting trends that will shape the field in the coming years. If in the last 10 years the focus has been on building a large base of engineers to enable companies to develop more and more, bring amazing digital experiences, amplify quality and technology, in the coming years, we will see a shift to the use of more diverse technologies, including AI assistance & agents, to drive the deployment of digital solutions.

We believe that this is the biggest change: the industry is in a moment of transition from traditional software engineering to technology-assisted engineering and automation (AI). But I would like to emphasize once again that this is an opportunity that the industry needs to embrace, rather than oppose.

Indeed, IT engineers will have a pivotal role, and their roles will not be replaced by artificial intelligence. The role of the engineer will become more strategic, more complex, it will elevate over time; It will practically become an orchestrator of all these technologies and will ensure that they are implemented correctly. The IT field remains an extremely attractive one on the labor market – providing job of the future – we cannot even conceive otherwise when we are surrounded by technology.

But it is expected that engineers will have a broader spectrum of known technologies, rather than a specialization in the direction of a single technology. This becomes necessary in order to be able to act as an integrator when AI will produce code in different languages.

We at Cognizant have diversified our services by expanding our artificial intelligence (AI) practice, cloud management and cybersecurity practice, and outsourced business services and customer support capabilities, developing advanced solutions for our global and diverse customers and this a valuable experience and expertise.

In line with the new reality of the industry and the business environment, last year we hired over 200 IT specialists in Cognizant Technology Solutions Romania, and now we continue to have over 100 open positions in various technological fields. The most sought-after for us at the moment are engineering roles with experience in: Full-stack development, Java, .NET, Web, Data and AI, Cloud, DevOps.

I am convinced that IT environment in Romania has the power to successfully adopt all these trends. Our IT specialists are highly skilled and determined to continuously learn and adapt to new realities, especially in times of pressure.

What major adjustments should a business consider this year, in the context of local market competition and worldwide challenges?

In times of uncertainty and change, adaptability and resilience for a business are essential. Both in terms of offer, the range of services, and in terms of human resources. While focusing on providing valuable solutions for the customers or developing good and innovative products, we need to ensure that our colleagues, the teams, develop relevant skills in an accelerated way. At Cognizant, one of our constant priorities is to enable our colleagues upskill and reskill, constantly ensuring that we have the right capabilities for the future and that we are able to compete in a highly competitive and dynamic environment.

What leadership aspects are you carrying into 2025?

I have been focusing on leadership approaches that stimulate GROWTH through adaptability, empathy, resilience and innovation. One key aspect is doubling down on fostering a culture of continuous learning within Cognizant Romania. Growth does not exist outside continuous learning. With the rapid pace of technological advancements, it’s essential to motivate our teams to stay curious, resilient, and aligned with client needs.

I am happy and proud that 2024 has brought us growth from many perspectives and strengthened our position in the market as a stable, relevant and innovative key player. We have managed, through the team’s efforts, to navigate extremely well in these complicated times for the industry, maintaining our stability and focusing on diversifying our portfolio of clients and services. We still need to strengthen this stability. In unstable times, we must try to build our own stable universe to navigate the storm and at the same time continuing to grow.

Last but not least, as a country leader, I see it as my responsibility to be transparent and approachable, ensuring that communication flows across all levels of the organization and that every team member feels connected to our vision for growth and impact in the tech landscape.

People and Sustainability

What steps is your company taking to align with the sustainability goals in 2025?

Cognizant remains committed to aligning with sustainability goals by integrating environmentally responsible practices into our operations and services.

At a global level, Cognizant is focused on several primary pillars. One of them is Operational Sustainability, Cognizant working on reducing carbon footprint by optimizing energy usage and adopting renewable energy solutions where possible. Achieving net zero goals requires companies to move faster in the adoption of sustainable business practices.
In addition, Cognizant helps businesses take the necessary steps using the comprehensive digital stack that includes machine-learning, data mining, digital twins, IoT and robotic automation to ensure environmental information is complete, accurate, verifiable and actionable. We are investing in green technology solutions for our clients, helping them build digital products that are both efficient and environmentally friendly. By promoting cloud migration and energy-efficient software solutions, we support our partners’ sustainability journeys.

Our vision is to lead by example and inspire positive change by embedding sustainability into the DNA of everything we do.

How do you engage people in your teams to ensure long-term sustainability in your operations?

We actively engage our teams by fostering a strong sense of purpose, empowerment and shared responsibility. We ensure that our employees understand how their contributions directly support sustainability goals; whether it’s through greener coding practices, energy-efficient project designs, or community-driven initiatives, every action matters. Through targeted training programs, we help our employees develop green technology skills and stay ahead of industry trends that promote sustainability.

Which are the main aspects to be considered in 2025 in terms of DEI and ESG?

Cognizant continues to place leadership, sustainability, DEI, and ESG at the heart of our strategic vision.

Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through efforts to invest in green technologies for clients, and drive community-driven initiatives. We aim to inspire positive change by embedding environmentally responsible practices across our operations. Empowering employees to innovate, providing targeted training, and recognizing sustainable practices ensures that our teams remain motivated and aligned with company goals.
Additionally, we are firmly committed to foster an inclusive culture, developing diverse talent, and ensuring equal opportunities for growth and leadership. Cognizant is creating an environment where everyone can thrive every day and we honor diverse voices around the world. Newsweek awarded Cognizant as America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2024 and Forbes awarded Cognizant as World’s Best Employers in 2023.

We are supporting diverse talent through programs and initiatives designed to foster an inclusive future. One of our programs is Cognizant Job Moves that facilitates career and skill development through internal job opportunities, providing resources and tools to explore new roles within the organization. Cognizant Propel Program is the signature program for women at mid and senior levels globally that accelerates diverse leadership and empowers women to excel in the digital age.

In tandem, our ESG efforts are focused on environmental stewardship, community engagement, and strong governance to maintain transparency and accountability. By embedding these principles into everything we do, we aim to create lasting value for our people, clients, and the wider community.

What are the priorities for nurturing talent and building a resilient workforce this year?

Our people are a top priority. We are continuously committed to creating the best possible environment for our employees and collaborators. Beyond offering a competitive compensation, we focus on providing access to knowledge, investing in their growth, and defining clear development paths.

As a Cognizant employee, you are equipped and prepared to excel in the AI era—or any other transformative technology that emerges. Our teams are constantly exposed to cutting-edge technologies applied to global projects across diverse industries that make a real-world impact. They engage with emerging trends and collaborate with visionary experts, continuously learning and training at the highest level for today, tomorrow, and whatever the future holds.

Continuous learning is a strategic pillar for Cognizant Technology Solutions Romania. Our employees benefit from extensive Learning & Development programs, including diverse Reskilling and Upskilling initiatives as well as innovation-focused programs like Bluebolt. Last year, we even hosted a dedicated Learning & Development Week and we were running an internal Innovation Festival where our colleagues shared valuable innovation experiences.

We also maintain a hybrid working model, a highly appreciated benefit within our industry. We are glad this flexibility has facilitated the integration of talent from all corners of the country, including regions beyond traditional economic or academic hubs.

These initiatives empower our teams to grow, thrive, and lead in a constantly evolving global landscape.

We are pleased to reiterate that Romania is a strategic hub for Cognizant, particularly due to its outstanding expertise, capabilities, dynamic talent market and culture, and its advantageous positioning makes it a key nearshore hub for Europe and a highly relevant capability hub for the United States. We have proven time and time again that we have the strength and resilience to navigate difficult times, and we will continue to do so with a growth-focused perspective. Our evolution is supported by a combination of factors: the diversification of services started in 2024, the solid positioning, the vast portfolio of customers, along with the capabilities aligned with current trends and our dedicated employees, on a background of continuous stability.

Innovation and Digital Transformation

What role does innovation play in the company’s business strategy for this year? In what kind of business aspects should be more integrated?
Innovation has been at the core of Cognizant’s business strategy since forever, driving both operational excellence and client success. According to Fortune, Cognizant is America’s Most Innovative Companies (2024 & 2023). And this year we are intensifying our focus on integrating innovation across multiple aspects of the business. It enables us to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape by continuously delivering value through cutting-edge solutions.

From a technological standpoint, we are expanding investments in AI, automation, and data-driven insights to enhance our service offerings and optimize operations. Innovation also plays a key role in sustainability initiatives as we seek more efficient and environmentally responsible ways to develop digital solutions for our clients.

Beyond technology, we recognize that cultural innovation is equally important. We are fostering a mindset of curiosity and experimentation within teams, where employees are empowered to think creatively and challenge the status quo. Collaboration across functions and co-creation with clients are essential to sparking new ideas and accelerating their implementation.

Ultimately, innovation is not limited to product development—it extends to improving processes, reimagining business models, and creating impactful solutions that position us as a trusted partner in the technology space.

What emerging technologies are you planning to leverage for business growth this year? What about AI, how it is anticipated to reshape the business this year?

We are in a strong position to leverage our Digital Engineering capabilities across the entire stack be it frontend, backend, or cloud infrastructures and clearly there is continuous demand to modernize existing solutions or to create new products. This will continue to drive growth in the coming years. Even though these have been used for many years now there are various emerging aspects of it related to security, sustainability / energy consumption (FinOps) and of course on how AI is augmenting the entire Digital Engineering Lifecycle. We are well equipped for this with our accelerating platforms: Flowsource – designed to significantly improve the development experience by using AI, Neuro AI – a platform designed to enable innovation and growth by placing AI at the center of business operations, Skygrade – a scalable and consistent solution that simplifies modernization, migration, and management of your cloud platforms & apps.

Of course speaking of AI, the question of how to best use artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated business agendas. At most organizations, the work has been largely internal. Leaders have focused on boosting efficiency, preparing the workforce for new ways of working and integrating the technology into their operations—in effect, activities that businesses can directly control. Yet, outside the boardroom, a more powerful and potentially multitrillion-dollar force has been gaining momentum: consumers experimenting with AI—with huge implications for business.

Consumers who embrace AI could drive up to 55% of spending by 2030, based on our newest research study. Businesses can stay ahead of the adoption curve by understanding the new AI-powered customer and the wants, needs and expectations that will shape tomorrow’s markets.

By blending AI and other advanced technologies with human creativity, we aim to deliver meaningful, scalable solutions for our clients – both European and USA client – that accelerate business growth and drive industry innovation. Stay agile, continuously experiment, and co-create with clients and teams.

Looking Ahead

I believe we are living in fascinating times in which technologies are evolving faster than ever and we can achieve things we probably haven’t even imagined years back. It is for sure a great opportunity for us to experience the new, learn at an accelerated pace and create value faster with less effort on the routine work. The trend I envision is us elevating ourselves to higher thinking abstraction layers and leverage the power of the machines and technology in enabling a better life.

I am grateful that we are part of this and have the chance to experience these times of so much change and contribute to global technology evolution. While we all know change is not easy to absorb, history has proven that it is usually for the better. Managing change is challenging and it is for sure one key driver of growth at any level including professional growth. In this mix of change, growth, and global uncertainty it is quite natural to feel a diverse set of emotions. However, keeping our balance, being resilient and perseverant, transforming problems into opportunities, staying true to our values and ambitions, and ultimately delivering quality and value will continuously be important pillars for stability and growth regardless of the various headwinds we might encounter. All these are applicable to 2025 as they have been for the last few years as well, now we are in a better position with the learnings from the previous years and we are optimistic about our meaningful work and impact for our partners.

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