EY CEO Outlook: Opportunity and AI, with Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland

Jan 30, 2024

Anne Sheehan, experienced technology and telecom professional, discusses her role as General Manager of Microsoft Ireland. Microsoft's focus on curiosity and learning drew her to the company. They have a significant presence in Ireland, with over 4000 employees from 97 different nationalities. She shares her optimism about the positive impact of AI and Microsoft's commitment to privacy, security, transparency, and accountability. They also cover topics such as female entrepreneurship, mantras in business, and the future of technology.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Growing up in Shannon, Ireland

01:56 • 10min

Transitioning from Telco to Microsoft: Scale, Diversity, and Talent

11:39 • 3min

The Rapid Pace of Change in Technology and the Impact of AI

14:54 • 13min

Female entrepreneurship, mantras in business, and the future of technology

27:24 • 4min

It was the culture of Microsoft that first attracted Anne Sheehan to the company – “It's not about who's the cleverest person in the room. It's about who can be curious, who can learn, who can be creative”. Having spent over 20 years in the technology and telecom sectors working with companies like IBM and Vodafone, Anne has always chosen roles based on the “scale, breadth and depth” of the work to be done and the potential impact she could make for the company and its customers. So, when the opportunity came up to work with a leader in tech that was on an exciting AI journey and whose values aligned with hers, Anne “didn’t blink” and accepted the role of General Manager, Microsoft Ireland.

Microsoft has a significant presence in Ireland. With over 4000 employees from 97 different nationalities working in roles spanning sales, finance, HR and engineering, the company is, as Anne describes it, like a “mini Seattle” in Dublin. AI is at the core of many of the company’s current products and initiatives and Anne is very optimistic about the positive impact that this technology is going to have and the challenges it will help to tackle. And as Microsoft works to develop AI-driven products, it is also putting into place the necessary frameworks around privacy, security, safety, transparency, and accountability.

In this episode of the EY Podcast: CEO Outlook Series Anne Sheehan, General Manager of Microsoft Ireland speaks with host Richard Curran about the importance of curiosity, the opportunities that AI can bring and why she's never overthought her career. They also discuss:

· Anne’s professional experience with IBM and Vodafone and what she learned from the roles and culture.

· Why she believes that Irish people are adept at helping to change companies for the better

· Responsible AI and how Microsoft is working to ensure guardrails are in place

· Anne’s views on the role AI will play in the Irish education system and why we need to prepare now

Anne’s business mantra, and what she would like colleagues to say about her when she finishes her current role.