Where AI Works: Conversations at the Intersection of AI and Industry Start Small, Think Big: Making AI Stick
AI transformation isn’t about flashy tools — it’s about strategic wins that build momentum and deliver real business value.
On this episode of Where AI Works, host Peter Cappelli is joined by Vivian Sun, the Senior Director of Data & AI, Enterprise Architecture, and IT Transformation at Jabil Incorporated, one of the world’s largest and most quietly influential contract manufacturers. Sun shares how her company scaled AI across its global operations — not by chasing hype, but by starting with tangible use cases that delivered measurable impact. As you’ll hear, Jabil’s journey began with AI-powered computer vision, replacing tedious and error-prone visual inspections. From there, it moved into machine learning for color calibration in manufacturing — transforming decades of tacit worker knowledge into predictive models. They then layered in generative AI to enhance compliance with trade regulations, using AI as both a decision-making assistant and a validation tool. Sun emphasizes that successful AI adoption demands more than tech — it needs executive buy-in, change management, and a relentless focus on business value. Her advice? Start small, but think big, and treat AI not as a tool, but as a company-wide transformation.
Episode Highlights:
6:00 - Vivian discusses how Jabil’s AI journey focused on three core technologies; AI computer vision, machine learning, and generative AI.
11:31 - Vivian explains how early use-cases of AI at Jabil paved the way for further implementation by revealing a direct impact on business, educating employees, and building confidence among executives.
16:58 - Vivian and Peter unpack how generative AI can be used in tandem with machine learning to validate or improve the information gleaned from a company’s data.