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Description
In this episode of The Innovator’s Playbook, host Seth Narayanan, Founder and CEO of Telliant Systems, sits down with Gaurav Roy, CTO of Accelya, to explore how one of the world’s most regulated and legacy-heavy industries is preparing for its next transformation.
Gaurav shares how his career has consistently placed him at the center of major technology inflection points—from mobile operating systems and cloud platforms to workforce technology and now airline retailing. He explains why airlines must move beyond ticketing systems and toward open, AI-powered retail platforms that deliver personalized, resilient travel experiences. Listeners will learn why openness and APIs are critical to innovation, how AI can improve both operational resilience and human experiences, and what it truly takes to build zero-to-one products inside large, regulated enterprises.
Key Takeaways
Riding Transformation Waves Across Industries
“Whenever a massive transformation is happening, position yourself close to it.”
Gaurav reflects on a career shaped by timing and conviction. From mobile OS platforms to cloud-enabled work and airline retailing, he explains why loving the problem—not the technology—is the real driver of innovation.
From Tickets to Promises: Rethinking Airline Retail
“You’re not buying a ticket. You’re buying a promise.”
Airlines aren’t just selling seats anymore. Gaurav outlines how modern airline retail should feel more like an Amazon experience—personalized, proactive, and resilient when disruptions occur.
Breaking Free from Legacy Systems
“We’re not patching the past. We’re designing for the future.”
Many airline systems still rely on decades-old EDI standards. He explains why airline platforms must be open, modular, AI-first, and cloud-native to scale innovation and unlock ecosystem-wide value.
APIs, Openness, and Industry Responsibility
“If we’re not the best solution, our competitors should win.”
Owning APIs means owning relationships—and responsibility. Gaurav discusses why contributing standards back to industry bodies like IATA is essential for sustainable innovation.
AI as an Accelerator, Not a Gimmick
“AI is enabling non-engineers to challenge technology orthodoxy.”
AI is already reshaping engineering, support, and operations. From generative interfaces to agentic systems, Gaurav shares how AI is increasing velocity while keeping humans at the center.
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This Episode's Guest
Gaurav Roy
Gaurav Roy is the Chief Technology Officer at Accelya, where he leads the transformation of airline retail through open, AI-powered platforms. A seasoned product and engineering leader, Gaurav has spent over two decades building industry-defining technologies across mobile operating systems, cloud platforms, security, and workforce experience. His work has helped shape products such as Tizen OS, Samsung Knox, HP’s Workforce Experience Platform, and enterprise security solutions at Qualys. Known for blending deep technical expertise with business-first thinking, Gaurav focuses on building scalable platforms that unlock meaningful customer value and drive large-scale industry change.
