Democratizing AI at Thomson Reuters: Empowering Teams and Driving Innovation
Dec 6, 2024
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Maria Apazoglou, Head of AI, BI & Data Platforms at Thomson Reuters, discusses her journey from quantitative analysis to AI leadership. She reveals key strategies for building effective teams, emphasizing diversity and individual ownership. The conversation covers integrating legacy systems with emerging AI technologies, showcasing efforts to train over 12,500 employees in AI tools. Maria also highlights the ongoing importance of human roles in an increasingly automated world, demonstrating how technology can enhance organizational efficiency and creativity.
Building effective teams hinges on diversity, ownership, and clear communication to bolster innovation and accountability.
Democratizing AI at Thomson Reuters has driven significant workforce engagement, improving productivity through accessible training and resources for all employees.
Deep dives
Creating Effective Teams Through Diversity and Ownership
Great teams are built on a mix of diverse individuals who bring different strengths to the table, such as a balance between innovative thinkers and stability-focused team members. A strong sense of ownership among team members is crucial, as it leads to higher quality work and increased accountability for the results of their contributions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of structuring teams effectively, promoting agile practices, and limiting team sizes to foster collaboration and meet defined goals. Equipping individuals with the right tools and practices enhances their ability to perform, providing them with a sense of empowerment that allows them to thrive as part of a cohesive unit.
Balancing Legacy and Modern Technologies
Maintaining engagement in teams working on both legacy systems and cutting-edge applications requires clear communication and shared goals. It is essential for team members to understand that their contributions to legacy applications are just as valuable as developing new technologies, fostering a sense of balance within the organizational objectives. Encouraging teams to think critically about modernizing legacy applications and integrating new technologies, including AI, promotes an innovative mindset. By offering a comprehensive view of organizational wins, including both legacy accomplishments and advancements in AI, employees feel empowered and recognized for their diverse contributions.
Democratizing AI Across the Organization
The effort to democratize AI has led to significant changes within the organization, with a substantial increase in workforce engagement with AI tools. Initial steps involved expanding access to AI resources and providing thorough training to all employees, not just those in technical roles. Workshops and community initiatives have facilitated knowledge sharing and innovation, with over half of the workforce regularly using AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency. The integration of AI into daily operations has improved outcomes across various domains, highlighting the importance of user involvement and the organizational commitment to continuous improvement.
This is the Engineering Culture Podcast, from the people behind InfoQ.com and the QCon conferences.
In this podcast Shane Hastie, Lead Editor for Culture & Methods spoke to Maria Apazoglou, Head of AI, BI & Data Platforms at Thomson Reuters, about as her experience in building great teams and democratizing the use of large language models across the organization.
Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/4ikn34O
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