Enterprise AI Architecture and Moving Beyond the Token Tax with Pega CTO Don Schuerman
How do you move generative AI past simple chatbots and scale it into a core enterprise architecture?
In this episode of FastForward, we sit down with Don Schuerman, the Chief Technology Officer at Pega, to unpack the reality of scaling enterprise AI. Don shares expert insights on how generative AI is completely rewriting the rules of enterprise software and what a true GenAI architecture looks like for modern organizations.
Tune in to discover:
- Beyond the Chatbot: Why true AI systems require moving past basic interfaces and rethinking your entire software stack.
- Scaling AI in the Enterprise: The technical challenges, roadmaps, and structural changes CTOs must navigate to move from a pilot program to full production.
- Intelligent Automation: How enterprise software is evolving to connect legacy tech with modern, intelligent systems.
Whether you are a tech leader, developer, or enterprise manager, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for implementing AI architecture that delivers real business value.
About the Guest:Don Schuerman is the CTO at Pega (Pegasystems), where he leads the technology strategy and evolution of Pega's enterprise software platform.
FastForward on PPN: Enterprise AI Architecture and Moving Beyond the Token Tax
FastForward on PPN: Enterprise AI Architecture and Moving Beyond the Token Tax
Episode Summary
While the industry is caught up in the hype of AI chatbots, enterprise tech leaders face a critical hurdle: how do you scale generative AI into complex, high-stakes workflows without breaking the bank?
In this episode of FastForward, host Ron Miller sits down with Don Schuerman, the longtime CTO and Head of Marketing at Pegasystems (Pega). Don shares unique insights gained from his three-decade tenure at Pega, navigating through massive technological waves from mobile to predictive analytics, and now, large language models. The two dive deep into why slapping AI onto a broken business process won't fix it, how the role of the modern software engineer is fundamentally changing, and the mechanics behind Pega’s bold shift from unpredictable token pricing to an outcome-based, per-case pricing model.
Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights
- The Longevity Advantage: Don discusses his rare 29-year journey at a single enterprise company, highlighting how experiencing multiple technology shifts has shaped his pragmatic worldview on the current AI wave.
- Velocity vs. Value: Moving fast has become table stakes. The real differentiator for businesses in 2026 is using AI to achieve a better quality outcome, not just a faster one.
- The "Pothole Patching" Trap: Slapping an AI agent or bot onto a broken business process is just temporary patching. True transformation requires using AI at the "design phase" to build completely redesigned, optimized workflows from the ground up.
- Ditching the Token Tax: Don breaks down the reasoning behind Pega's move to outcome-based, per-case pricing. By focusing on measurable results (like a resolved insurance claim or a closed customer service case), enterprises can achieve cost predictability and stop watching a volatile token meter run indefinitely.
- The Future of Human Capital: Why the best AI operators are those who have spent 10–15 years building deep foundational craft and judgment. AI is a tool to amplify human intent, but human judgment remains the ultimate safeguard.
Connect with the Show
- Subscribe to the FastForward Newsletter: Scan the QR code in the video outro or visit FastForward.blog to stay updated on enterprise technology trends.
- Follow PPN (Playaz Productions Network): Find us on LinkedIn and YouTube @PPN.
- Learn More About Pega: Visit Pega.com to explore Pega Infinity and use their token cost calculator.
Note: FastForward will be taking a brief summer break for the month of July! We will return on Thursday, August 20th @ 2 PM ET with special guest Jeetu Patel, the President & CPO of Cisco.
Creators and Guests
Host
Ron Miller
'm a technology reporter with almost 30 years of experience, much of it covering the enterprise. These days, I run the FastForward blog and newsletter, a publication I conceived and built from the ground up. The publications cover analysis on emerging technologies with a large focus on AI, digital transformation strategies and industry challenges through commentary, features, executive profiles and in-depth coverage of news that impacts enterprise tech decision makers. I also do professional moderation — on-stage interviews, fireside chats and panels at executive and customer events, bringing the same editorial standards I apply to my reporting. Recent work includes interviewing Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin at Pax8 Beyond and Zscaler's Swamy Kocherlakota at Zscaler Zenith Live, on top of past interviews with Aaron Levie of Box, Dylan Field of Figma, and Cloudflare co-founders Michelle Zatlyn and Matthew Prince. Before taking FastForward independent, I was editorial director at boldstart, a first check, enterprise-focused venture capital firm. Prior to that, I spent a decade at TechCrunch covering the intersection of enterprise startups and larger more established public companies through news, features, profiles and in-depth analysis. In addition to reporting and writing, I moderated panels at dozens of events including TechCrunch Disrupt, Web Summit, Collision, and many others.
Guest
Don Schuerman
Don Schuerman is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President of Product Marketing at Pegasystems (Pega). He has spent nearly three decades navigating major technological waves—from mobile and predictive analytics to generative AI—delivering enterprise software solutions and digital transformation architecture for Fortune 500 organizations. Known for bridging the line between deep technical architecture and strategic brand marketing, Don holds a strong belief that the future of enterprise technology relies on optimizing systems for quality outcomes rather than just speed. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Philosophy from Boston College.
