Executives Emphasize Human Element in Tech's Rapid Advancement

Three prominent executives shared their perspectives on leadership and the evolving technological landscape at TIME's Executives of the Year Impact Dinner: Tech & Data in New York on Tuesday evening. The discussion featured leaders from Citi, the Wikimedia Foundation, and the National Football League.

David Griffiths, group head of artificial intelligence at Citi, acknowledged the rapid pace of technological development and its inherent uncertainties. He stated that while technology is advancing to meet ambitious goals, its ultimate impact hinges on human decision-making. "Most of the choices about what comes next won’t feel historic when we make them. They’ll be quiet: who we listen to, what we fund, when we decide to wait, and when we decide to act," Griffiths said, emphasizing that accountability for these decisions remains with the individuals making them.

Selena Deckelmann, chief technology and product officer at the Wikimedia Foundation, echoed the sentiment that technology does not replace the core human experience. "Technology can’t decide how to live a good life or give our lives meaning. Our people and communities do," she stated. Deckelmann shared a personal anecdote about how a typhoon led to her parents meeting, and how the collaborative nature of Wikipedia enabled her to connect with a musician who had documented the storm. She highlighted that this technology fosters human connections essential for creating a better future.

Gary Brantley, senior vice president and chief information officer at the National Football League, took a different approach, focusing his remarks on his parents and their influence on his leadership philosophy. He shared a lesson learned from them: "You show up each and every day even when you are tired, even when you are discouraged, and especially when you do not feel like it." Brantley stressed the importance of collective effort, stating, "None of us arrived where we are on our own."

The event, presented by Rokt, provided a platform for these leaders to reflect on their careers and the crucial role of human judgment in shaping the future of technology.