Poets & Thinkers Beyond “Popcorn Innovation”: Human-First leadership from IBM to the United Nations with Frances West
What if the key to navigating our AI-driven future isn’t about becoming more technological, but rather more authentically human? In this inspiring episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the intersection of technology, leadership, and human dignity with Frances West, a pioneering executive whose wisdom spans decades of technological transformation. As IBM’s first-ever Chief Accessibility Officer and a global advocate for digital inclusion, Frances brings a unique perspective on how to harness AI’s potential while keeping humanity at the center.
Frances takes us on a journey through her remarkable career, from arriving in America at age 19 to becoming a trailblazing technology executive who helped shape IBM’s approach to human-centered innovation. Drawing on insights from her book “Authentic Inclusion™ Drives Disruptive Innovation,” she reveals why the skills we’ve traditionally considered “soft” – creativity, empathy, persistence, and ethical judgment – will become our most valuable assets in an AI-driven world.
Throughout our conversation, Frances challenges the dominant narratives around AI, arguing that as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, humans must embrace and cultivate the qualities that make us uniquely human. She offers a compelling vision for business leadership that balances profit with principle and purpose, emphasizing that true innovation must be rooted in meeting authentic human needs rather than merely advancing technology for its own sake.
In this thought-provoking discussion, we explore:
- Why “human first” thinking is crucial for ethical technology development
- How digital inclusion benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities
- The leadership traits essential for navigating our AI-integrated future
- Why “popcorn innovation” fails where disciplined vision succeeds
- The balance between maintaining our authentic selves while embracing AI tools
This episode is an invitation to reimagine our relationship with technology through a lens of authentic inclusion, challenging us to develop the leadership qualities that will help humanity thrive alongside artificial intelligence.
Topics
00:30 - Introduction to Frances West and her career at IBM
03:30 - The concept of “human first” in technology development
06:00 - Balancing AI advancement with human dignity and agency
13:30 - The importance of building inclusive technology from the start
17:40 - How technology has evolved from mainframes to personalized devices
21:10 - The human qualities AI cannot easily replicate
27:10 - "As AI gets more human, humans need to get more human"
30:40 - Balancing foundational skills with creativity in education
34:00 - The evolution of leadership skills needed for an AI-integrated world
36:00 - The Four L’s of leadership: Listen, Learn, Lived experience, Lead
41:30 - Avoiding "popcorn innovation" with disciplined vision and execution
45:30 - How sales experience grounds technological innovation
50:40 - Frances’s vision for the future of business leadership
52:00 - The Five C’s for future leaders: Confidence, Conviction, Communication, Curiosity, and Courage
Resources Mentioned
Authentic Inclusion™ Drives Disruptive Innovation by Frances Wes
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