Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics

Dec 10, 2025

Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics and former Microsoft EVP, discusses her journey from a large family to tech leadership. She shares how her upbringing instilled a belief in inclusivity as vital for innovation. Peggy highlights the importance of humanoid robots in addressing labor shortages and the need for empathy in leadership. She envisions a future where technology enhances human life, promoting collaboration between humans and machines. Her insights on authenticity and purpose-driven leadership offer a roadmap for navigating the evolving tech landscape.

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ANECDOTE

Formative Family Debates

Peggy Johnson grew up in a blended family and was one of eight children after her mother remarried.
Dinnertime debates taught her to listen, learn, and value diverse perspectives early on.

ANECDOTE

The Mailroom Pivot To Engineering

Peggy planned to study business until engineering staff convinced her to switch while she delivered mail.
That turn led her to a lifelong engineering mindset and problem-solving career.

ADVICE

Choose Alternative Ways To Be Heard

Use alternative channels to contribute if you don't speak up naturally in large meetings.
Build influence by meeting people one-on-one and showcasing complementary strengths.

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In this first episode of our special AI series, I have the pleasure of welcoming Peggy Johnson — a remarkable leader whose career spans mobile innovation, augmented reality, and now humanoid robotics.

What struck me in our conversation is how deeply human her approach to technology has always been.

Peggy grew up as one of fifteen children, in a family where every voice mattered. Later, she became one of the very few women studying engineering in the 1980s. These early experiences shaped her belief that inclusion is not optional — it is the foundation of innovation.

Throughout her journey — from Qualcomm and Microsoft to Magic Leap and now Agility Robotics — Peggy has championed a simple but powerful idea:

👉 Technology must enhance human life, not replace it.

In this episode, we explore:
• how her upbringing and early career forged her inclusive leadership style
• what she learned from AR, mixed reality, and the hype cycles around emerging technology
• why humanoid robotics should serve society by addressing painful labour gaps
• how responsible leaders can build human-centric, safe, and trustworthy technologies
• what it will take to design a positive future for human–machine collaboration

Peggy’s clarity, integrity, and optimism make this a fascinating conversation on the future of tech — grounded in humanity and purpose.

At the end of the day, the question she leaves us with is essential:
Will we lead AI and robotics toward a future that makes life better for everyone?
Or will we let the technology lead us?

I hope this episode inspires you as much as it inspired me.

🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes:

Kevin Scott — Empowering people with AI: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/empowering-people-with-ai-with-kevin-scott
Laurence Tubiana – Le courage du changement
: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana
Dorie Clark — Reinventing yourself: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/reinventing-yourself-with-dorie-clark

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/