Navigating the Tides of Tech
A Visionary's Journey from Mainframes to AI
Featured Speakers
In this exclusive fireside chat, acclaimed journalist Soledad O'Brien engages with John Thompson, a luminary whose influence has shaped the technological landscape for over five decades. This conversation will traverse Thompson's remarkable journey from his roots in Florida, through his formative years at Florida A&M University (an HBCU), to his rise through IBM's ranks during the mainframe era, and his subsequent transformative leadership at Microsoft, Illumina and Rubrik.
Thompson's story is a testament to the power of education, diversity, and visionary leadership in tech. From his early days as a student at an HBCU to becoming one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley, his career exemplifies the profound impact of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and shaping the future of technology.
As we stand at the cusp of the AI revolution, Thompson's unique perspective - forged through cycles of technological disruption and grounded in a diverse educational background - offers invaluable insights for investors navigating the ever-shifting tectonics of the digital realm. This dialogue promises to illuminate the intricate interplay between established tech titans and emerging disruptors, providing a nuanced understanding of where true value lies in our rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Prepare for an intellectually stimulating discourse that not only charts the trajectory of a tech titan but also casts light on the future contours of our digital society, while highlighting the crucial role of diverse talent pipelines in shaping the tech landscape. This rare opportunity to glean wisdom from one of tech's most prescient minds is not to be missed.