CTOs Discuss Technology's Transformative Role in Business Operations

Chief technology officers convened at TIME’s Executives of the Year Impact Dinner: Tech & Data in New York City to explore how technology is reshaping their companies.

Franziska Bell, CTO of The Home Depot; Fiona Tan, CTO of Wayfair; and Sam Dozor, CTO of Rokt, shared perspectives on innovation and the integration of new technologies.

Bell highlighted the importance of prioritizing the customer experience when adopting emerging technologies, a philosophy she termed "the art of the possible." The Home Depot has implemented "Magic Apron," an AI-powered tool designed to assist customers with product location, how-to inquiries, and image-based questions. Bell noted that this tool, deployed in 2,000 U.S. stores, aims to reduce customer friction. She also emphasized the synergy between human employees and AI, stating, "I’m a huge believer in human-AI teams. That’s really where the magic happens."

Tan echoed the focus on customer experience at Wayfair, discussing how technology helps consumers navigate the company's extensive product catalog. She described the process as guiding customers through a "journey that will resonate" when they are unable to articulate their needs. Tan stressed that "adaptability" is a crucial trait for new hires entering the rapidly evolving tech landscape. She also advocated for pairing younger employees with more experienced colleagues.

Dozor asserted that the current moment is opportune for technological investment. "The time is here. The time is now, and all of us need to live it," he stated. Rokt is expanding the scope of work its employees can undertake with AI, with engineers building product specifications and designers writing code. Dozor characterized Rokt's approach as forward-looking, with the company aiming to anticipate future developments.

The event, "TIME Impact Dinner: Executives of the Year: Tech & Data," was presented by Rokt.