
41 segments available
Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM, discusses the challenges of leading a 107 year-old company, the impact that AI will have on our society, and why you should have a purpose and a passion for what you do. “Being a CEO was never a goal for me. Some people think it needs to be a specific life-long goal – that you really have to want it. I don’t subscribe to that school. Just keep doing what it is you love to do, and that will open doors.”
Ginni Rometty shares her transition from the automobile industry to technology, emphasizing the importance of passion in one's career. She reflects on her early experiences at General Motors and how they shaped her understanding of pursuing what you love, rather than just following a predetermined path.
"so Jenny thank you so much for being here with us today Thanks it's a it's a real honor to have you here and as you know there's a slight interest in tech here at Stanford so a particular honor to hav..."
Rometty discusses her unconventional journey to becoming CEO of IBM, revealing that it was never a specific goal for her. She encourages others to focus on their passions and let opportunities unfold naturally, rather than adhering to traditional expectations of career ambition.
"but what I would always say to people would I learned it what I thought was a really young age at the time is that I learned the importance of passion about what you did and it isn't and I say to Mary..."
Ginni emphasizes the significance of purpose in one's career, explaining how it has been a driving force throughout her 37 years at IBM. She reflects on the company's mission and her belief that IBM's contributions have made a meaningful impact on the world.
"technology because I was an engineer I loved it but I wanted to apply it to do things and and that's what led me then back to it and it actually wasn't much I could tell it was a really complex job se..."
In this segment, Rometty highlights the dual importance of passion and purpose in professional life. She shares her belief that having a clear purpose can guide individuals through their careers and help them navigate challenges effectively.
"well let me let me do a poll so this is somewhat interactive all right so how many people think they want to be CEO of anything okay so half half how many are not sure the other half yeah okay or the ..."
Ginni discusses the concept of responsible stewardship in technology, particularly in the context of AI and its societal impacts. She stresses the need for transparency and ethical considerations as technology evolves and affects people's lives.
"other thing I would you made me think of though was again if I can share something of value on this I do think people often say to me and John when you introduced me you said I'd been at IBM now it's ..."
Rometty shares her vision for IBM's role in transforming healthcare through technology. She reflects on the challenges of changing the healthcare system and the importance of purpose-driven initiatives in making a difference.
"started you said as an inter Johnson as an engineer but I've done engineering I've done sales I've done research i've done finance i I feel like I've had a hundred careers I did a consulting company I..."
In this heartfelt segment, Ginni recounts a personal story about a client who expressed hope in changing healthcare with IBM's technology. She emphasizes the significance of such moments in her career and the motivation they provide.
"our moon shots moon shots meaning I know how hard it is to change I mean it's so obvious the problems so if it's so obvious why can't it get changed and so there are many many reasons in anyways we st..."
Rometty addresses the challenge of balancing corporate responsibilities with a commitment to purpose. She discusses how businesses can achieve commercial success while also contributing positively to society.
"interesting also than my question was okay why do you stay here sorry no it's not interactive we're cutting that off I looked you've got you've had a lots of different jobs already about yeah several ..."
In this segment, Ginni highlights the critical role of trust in business operations. She reflects on IBM's history of maintaining trust with clients and society, and how this foundation is essential for long-term success.
"I just I think you will find many opportunities to do both so throughout your career when you were faced with choices other companies trying to lure your waiver greater personal commercial value was a..."
Rometty discusses the current challenges facing the tech industry, particularly regarding the rapid advancement of technology and its societal implications. She emphasizes the need for responsible stewardship and proactive measures to address these challenges.
"ourselves as well as even most companies this idea that what is responsible stewardship because there is no doubt these technologies and we will talk a little bit about it they're going to impact ever..."
In this concluding segment, Ginni defines what responsible stewardship means in the context of technology. She stresses the importance of bringing innovations into the world safely and ethically, ensuring that they benefit society as a whole.
"always think it's like you know transforming a company you can see where you are and where you want to go you get killed in the transition and it's always this transition that makes the difference and..."
Ginni Rometty emphasizes the importance of trust in business operations, particularly in technology. She reflects on IBM's commitment to refusing government requests for backdoor access to technology, highlighting that trust is essential for a company's license to operate. Rometty argues that businesses must prioritize long-term decisions that foster trust with clients and society.
"do the right thing for the long term I think you end up in the right place if you do those three things and so so to me that balance I always feel like many of us and again some of you in the places y..."
Rometty discusses the current moment as a pivotal time for principled stewardship in technology. She stresses the need for clarity in purpose, transparency, and explainability in AI technologies. By ensuring that AI augments human capabilities rather than replaces them, companies can build trust and navigate the complexities of technological advancement.
"based on trust and so I think this idea if that's the role you feel you play and you make that decision for the long term and a trust will matter you will actually make those right decisions and I thi..."
In this segment, Rometty argues for the rebranding of AI as 'augmented intelligence' to emphasize its role in enhancing human work. She discusses the necessity of transparency in AI, including how it is trained and the data it uses. Rometty believes that AI should be a collaborative tool that helps professionals perform their jobs more effectively.
"that you recognize what you are and what you're not and or what you've become and so as an example we'll probably talk a little bit about AI and in na I as an example is one of the many technologies b..."
Rometty highlights the importance of transparency and explainability in AI technologies. She asserts that users need to understand how AI systems work and the data behind their decisions, especially in critical fields like healthcare. This transparency is crucial for building trust and ensuring that AI serves its intended purpose.
"better and I see this in I can give you tons of examples of it so purpose then transparency you need to I think I need to tell you when I'm using these technologies and then I need to tell you how the..."
Rometty discusses the transformative impact of AI on the workforce, emphasizing that while jobs may change, they will not be entirely replaced. She shares insights from studies indicating that AI will lead to significant changes across all industries, necessitating a shift in skills and job roles to adapt to this new landscape.
"at this moment in time that is such a special moment to get this off on the right foot does that make sense to you it doesn't make sense I could ask you everyone but you're right next to me so it does..."
In this segment, Rometty shares IBM's experiences with AI in healthcare, particularly in oncology. She discusses how AI has improved diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes, illustrating the potential of AI to augment medical professionals rather than replace them. Rometty emphasizes the importance of collaboration between AI and healthcare providers.
"prepare for that world and I was my own so two ends of a spectrum and one of the very earliest things we did was healthcare and started in oncology extremely difficult and and it's been an interesting..."
Rometty explains how AI is revolutionizing human resources at IBM. She highlights the use of AI to enhance recruitment, retention, and employee development, making HR processes more efficient and equitable. This transformation demonstrates how AI can improve job functions across various sectors.
"that motherhood's how does that saying go necessity is the mother hood of invention of ever it's gonna leapfrog I think in driven by perhaps other parts of the world for different reasons unless speci..."
Rometty introduces IBM's 'Pathways to Technology' initiative aimed at addressing the global skills gap. She discusses the program's success in providing tech skills to underserved youth, emphasizing the importance of accessible education in preparing the next generation for the future workforce. This initiative reflects IBM's commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
"because they things go very quick from beginning to expert you almost skip right over those does that make does that that's kind of world I think will be in definitely and to go kind of away from AI b..."
In this concluding segment, Rometty discusses the responsibility of companies to engage in education and skills development. She advocates for public-private partnerships to tackle the skills crisis and ensure that future generations are equipped for success in a rapidly changing job market. Rometty's vision emphasizes collaboration between businesses and educational institutions.
"it was the idea could you take a high school everybody and we're now in six countries take a high school in some countries would call it different things but a community college nearby think of it as ..."
Rometty addresses the necessity of lifelong learning in today's rapidly changing job market. She argues that traditional education models are insufficient and advocates for continuous skill development and retraining to adapt to new technologies and job requirements.
"every company it's gonna have to be a public-private partnership to address the skills issue in this planet and and many of my colleagues have different ways or something like it but it will take that..."
In this segment, Rometty shares insights on transforming educational systems to focus on teaching employable skills. She critiques the current state of community colleges and emphasizes the need for curriculum changes that align with industry demands to better prepare students for the workforce.
"do you think of that idea pretty cool pretty cool okay it's heartwarming I mean the only thing I did not count on is that some of these kids this has really been an interesting thing for me the kids t..."
Rometty reflects on IBM's 107-year history and its ability to reinvent itself through transformational leadership. She discusses the importance of humility and long-term vision in navigating the challenges of a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
"mean in many of them by the way go on to four-year universities that never ever ever would have anyways so it's both ways right because I don't want you to say I'm down on I'm not it's to me about giv..."
Rometty introduces the concept of data as the world's next natural resource, drawing parallels to oil. She explains how IBM is leveraging data to improve decision-making and drive innovation, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt to this new reality.
"around maybe I can convince some of you to come come work for us I'll I'll hold that as my grade of whether I did a good job today maybe in a word it was the word data you're probably not surprised at..."
In this segment, Rometty discusses the unique challenges of developing AI solutions for professional environments. She highlights the importance of domain-specific knowledge and the need for AI to learn from smaller datasets while ensuring data security and client trust.
"have to learn regulatory environments I talked about medicine you have to learn HR you have and that means you have to learn off of very small amounts of data that's a different kind of AI you don't h..."
Rometty shares her vision for IBM as an 'incumbent disruptor' in the tech industry. She discusses how established companies can leverage their existing data and expertise to innovate and remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.
"and then this won't be the end I mean blockchain quantum are all things we've been heavily heavily invested in and if I can humbly say I believe in quantum I know I'm out and I know where I'm at I do ..."
Rometty outlines three compelling reasons to join IBM: a passion for impactful technology, a desire to change the world, and a strong commitment to inclusion. She reflects on IBM's culture and its historical commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
"of you that work on business models it is a time of soul-searching for lots of companies on what's their business model they're saying to themselves you know am I a car rental company or you know actu..."
Ginni Rometty reflects on the importance of inclusion within IBM, emphasizing that she has never felt limited by the company. She highlights IBM's long-standing commitment to diversity, having hired the first disabled employee in 1914 and the first woman executive in 1943. Rometty expresses pride in carrying on this culture and advocates for a workplace where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of their background.
"determine whether you do or don't and so I'd come for that purpose I'd come for that strong strong passion about the technology in the third it's something you know what it's something I actually took..."
Rometty discusses the significance of passion and purpose in one's career, stating that these elements, along with inclusion, are crucial for success. She shares her pride in IBM's achievements in fostering an inclusive environment, particularly for women in the workforce, and emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for all employees.
"it I have only had to carry it on right and be sure it got even more and I use the word inclusion not diversity on purpose to me inclusion is about sexual orientation gender religion country ethnicity..."
Ginni Rometty introduces the concept of blockchain, comparing its potential impact on trusted transactions to that of the internet on information. She discusses its ability to facilitate transactions between parties who may not know or trust each other, highlighting its application in food safety and the collaboration with Walmart to improve traceability in food supply chains.
"purpose and inclusion yeah well I finally said something that made sense perhaps he's almost right that perhaps a fourth reason could be we've got a lot of crypto investors out here we can be talking ..."
Rometty elaborates on a joint project with Walmart aimed at enhancing food safety through blockchain technology. She shares alarming statistics about foodborne illnesses and explains how blockchain can drastically reduce the time needed to trace food sources, thereby minimizing waste and improving safety standards in the food industry.
"quite high and what makes it so possible to really get some traction is it you don't have to rip out the guts and rewrite everything if you're a company to be able to use it so the movement to it is n..."
Rometty discusses her personal connection to healthcare, particularly cancer treatment, and the inefficiencies present in the system. She emphasizes the need for improvement in healthcare access globally, especially in developing countries, and describes IBM's commitment to addressing these challenges through technology.
"it does matter how you implement it and you have to have it be permissioned some of what's out there is opaque I don't believe those will be what will take off you can't have people that will in fact ..."
In this segment, Rometty reflects on the role of companies in addressing global challenges, particularly in healthcare and technology. She shares insights from her experiences and emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships in tackling issues that transcend national boundaries.
"into that now no I'll stay I'll stay clear that okay and want one last question before we turn to turn to audience Q&A I've been struck by the number of times you mentioned that the healthcare industr..."
Rometty discusses the evolving role of the World Economic Forum in a decentralized world. She highlights the importance of setting global standards and the need for companies to engage in public-private partnerships to address pressing global issues, particularly in the context of cybersecurity and trade.
"before you have time to ask me any more questions then turn over to the audience maybe you'd like to ask him a question Michael [Applause] okay anyone hi there my name's Catherine I'm an MBA - my ques..."
Rometty shares her insights on maintaining agility and innovation within a large organization like IBM. She reflects on her early experiences as CEO and the importance of balancing top-down direction with bottom-up initiatives to foster a culture of creativity and responsiveness to change.
"particularly around things like you know modernization of trade skills in the world and we didn't talk much about cybersecurity right and in in cyber in that impact because cyber is the one thing that..."
Rometty discusses the transformation of IBM's work processes to embrace agility and design thinking. She explains the significance of hiring top designers and implementing agile methodologies to meet the expectations of clients in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
"you so while much will ever be written about the portfolio and how it's changed I think them far more what one day you know revisionist history one day when we're distanced enough we will look back in..."
In this segment, Rometty emphasizes the critical need for continuous skill development within IBM. She shares her commitment to educating employees about future trends and the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning in adapting to change.
"probably now 200,000 agile experts trained black belts it means small multidisciplinary co-located Minimum Viable products and think about Minimum Viable products I mean when you think of big things w..."
Rometty outlines her strategy for fostering transparency in skill development at IBM. She discusses the importance of recognizing and rewarding employees for acquiring new skills, and how this approach can drive innovation and adaptability within the company.
"that top and that's bottom on top it's both but I tell you until until we as leaders help people change how they could do their work that wasn't going to happen and so that to me and then the people o..."
Rometty reflects on the broader implications of skill transformation and work re-architecture for companies today. She posits that understanding how to reinvent organizations is crucial for success in the current business landscape.
"even think about hiring we were talking about what do you you know what school is it better to hire an MBA or and there's room for everybody I think the most distinguishing characteristic is your curi..."
In this segment, Rometty discusses IBM's historical relationship with U.S. presidents and the company's focus on policy over politics. She emphasizes the importance of education, inclusion, and innovation in shaping effective government policies that benefit both society and business.
"day and age this must be the last question is it a good one a lot of pressure or will be the second time I'll try so thanks so much for coming in my name's Stephanie young I'm an MBA 3 we exist is tha..."
Rometty concludes by advocating for a focus on policies that promote a level playing field for businesses globally. She stresses the importance of free trade, education, and innovation in driving economic growth and societal progress, reinforcing her belief that good ideas transcend borders.
"my issues I don't care in every country we have to deal with because mind you you know whether it was you know I was with Prima Modi last week this week I'll do Prime Minister Trudeau in Canada or whe..."