Marcus Fontoura

Marcus Fontoura, Microsoft's CTO for Azure Core, has had a storied career through major tech shifts at IBM, Yahoo, and Google. In this talk, he demystifies AI, countering doomsday narratives by explaining it as a powerful prediction tool rather than a self-aware entity. He warns that while mechanical jobs are at risk, experienced professionals will be amplified, not replaced. Marcus emphasizes the importance of human agency in navigating tech's impact and offers advice for leaders to embrace AI without fear, urging them to influence technology rather than be influenced by it.

Marcus Fontoura, a Technical Fellow at Microsoft and author of 'Human Agency in a Digital World,' dives into the pressing question of maintaining human control over technology. He discusses the transition from passive users to active participants in automation and the importance of ethics in design. Marcus raises concerns about AI's impact on engineering careers and stresses the need for teamwork diversity to prevent fragility. He emphasizes focusing AI on real human issues while encouraging tech professionals to engage in public policy discussions.