HBR IdeaCast Future of Business: SAIC’s Toni Townes-Whitley on Leading Strategic Transformation
20 snips
Nov 7, 2024 
Toni Townes-Whitley, CEO of SAIC, shares her extensive experience leading a major engineering and tech firm. She discusses her strategic transformation approach with an emphasis on upskilling employees rather than drastic changes. The conversation delves into the ethical integration of generative AI in government operations, addressing AI bias. Toni also highlights the complexities of navigating political volatility and the importance of diversity in AI oversight, all while sharing her journey as a Black female leader advocating for inclusivity.
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Strategic Transformation Tips
- Sequence large-scale changes and communicate what stays constant.
- Establish clear metrics and processes to track progress and ensure buy-in.
Balancing Innovation and Security
- SAIC balances cutting-edge tech with government client needs by creating 'sandboxes'.
- These environments allow clients to test and understand new technologies before deployment.
Responsible AI in Mission-Critical Systems
- Responsible AI use is central to SAIC's work, especially in mission-critical environments.
- They focus on data security, accuracy, and addressing potential biases like in facial recognition tech.
