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Book an Enterprise DemoBuilding Tomorrow's Workforce, Today: Scaling Internal AI Academies
July 2024
Your Presenter(s)
Mike Baylor
CDAO at Lockeed Martin
As VP, Chief Digital & AI Officer (CDAO), Mike is responsible for the innovation and delivery of advanced Digital and AI technologies across the Lockheed Martin corporation. Mike has over 23 years’ experience serving LM in various roles both inside and outside the corporation. In his previous role as VP & Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO), Mike was responsible for the Data and Analytics enterprise function and talent of over 300 professionals across the corporation. In this role, he spearheaded LM's Data and Analytics digital transformation, infrastructure, development and execution across the corporation. Within LM IS&GS, Mike launched a very successful commercial business comprised of machine learning and analytics technologies for government, commercial and international customers. Prior to this, Mike led a team that pioneered innovative systems engineering approaches to help simplify and integrate the data of large complex systems for Government clients. Mike started his career with Lockheed Martin at Space Systems Company within a Flight Operations Team at NASA where he supported pre-launch, launch, and post launch satellite operations.
Carolann Diskin
Senior Technical Program Manager at Dropbox
As a Technical Program Manager at Dropbox, Carolann takes pride in spearheading Technical Learning initiatives, driving innovation and excellence in our team's skill development. With a passion for fostering growth and knowledge-sharing, I am dedicated to cultivating a culture of continuous learning within Dropbox. In addition to my role in Technical Learning, I also serve as a co-leader of the AI Learn program in collaboration with the Dropbox Learning & Organizational Development (L&OD) Team. This partnership allows us to harness the power of artificial intelligence to empower our teams with cutting-edge insights and capabilities. With a strong background in program management and a keen understanding of technical education needs, I strive to create impactful learning experiences that equip our teams with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Giorleny Altamirano Rayo
Chief Data Scientist at U.S. Department of State
Giorleny serves as the Department of State's Chief Data Scientist and Responsible AI Official, spearheading initiatives in artificial intelligence and data science. Previously she was a Senior Mathematical Statistician in the Department of Labor, where she significantly impacted the field as the at the Chief Evaluation Office. Her work focused on statistical and AI/Machine Learning methodologies, behavioral economics and human-centered design. Giorleny was also a director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nicaragua, an academic at Carnegie Mellon, Vanderbilt and the University of Texas-Austin, and is a celebrated National Science Foundation Scholar.
Summary
Adopting AI technology involves more than just acquiring tools; it entails a comprehensive upskilling and reskilling of employees to effectively integrate AI into their work. The webinar underscores the significance of AI training in organizations and explores various methods to implement successful AI training programs. Featured speakers from Lockheed Martin, Dropbox, and the U.S. Department of State share insights on the reasoning behind AI training, its objectives, and the intended audience for such initiatives. They discuss the challenges of maintaining employee interest in training and identify internal advocates to encourage AI learning within organizations. Beyond the technical understanding, the training also aims to empower employees to innovate and apply AI in their respective roles for improved productivity and creativity.
Key Takeaways:
- AI training is important for all employees, not just technical staff, to understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI.
- Effective AI training programs require a mix of practical, theoretical, and self-paced learning options.
- Interest and motivation are vital for sustaining participation in AI training programs.
- Internal advocates play a key role in promoting AI training and sharing success stories within organizations.
- AI training can result in significant productivity increases and career advancements for employees.
Deep Dives
The Importance of AI Training Across All Levels
AI is transforming industries, making it necessary for organizations to equip their workforce with a firm understanding of AI principles and applications. As highlighted by Caroline Diskin, Senior Technical Program Manager at Dropbox, AI training is important not just for technical staff but for everyone, including leaders and non-technical employees, to ensure they can utilize AI effectively. This inclusive approach ensures that all employees are prepared to integrate AI into their roles, which is vital as AI technology becomes more prevalent in everyday business operations. The Department of State, for instance, has included AI training in mandatory courses for all Foreign Service officers, emphasizing the universal need for understanding AI concepts.
Hurdles in Implementing AI Training Programs
Implementing AI training programs comes with its set of challenges, particularly in maintaining employee interest. Mike Baylor, Chief Digital and AI Officer at Lockheed Martin, emphasizes that while initial adoption might be driven by enthusiastic early users, maintaining interest requires careful program design that aligns with employees' job goals. Programs must be adjusted to provide relevant and practical training, enabling employees to see the value of AI in their specific roles. Organizations like Dropbox use a diverse approach, including internal communications, leadership endorsements, and incentives such as swag and certificates, to promote and sustain interest in AI training.
The Role of Internal Advocates in Promoting AI Learning
Internal advocates are vital in building a culture of continuous learning and promoting AI training within organizations. These advocates, often passionate about AI, help spread excitement and knowledge across different teams. At Dropbox, advocates from various departments share their learning experiences and success stories, encouraging colleagues to engage in AI training. This peer-driven approach helps demystify AI and makes the learning process more relatable and accessible. According to Dr. Gio Altamirano-Reo from the Department of State, these advocates also play a vital role in identifying and addressing specific training needs, ensuring the program's relevance and impact.
Gauging the Impact and Value of AI Training
Assessing the return on investment (ROI) from AI training is important for justifying the costs and measuring its impact on organizational performance. As Mike Baylor explains, Lockheed Martin evaluates the overall value by considering both high-end AI engineers and the broader employee base, where aggregated improvements can surpass the impact of specialized roles. Success stories, such as the U.S. embassy in Tegucigalpa using AI to cut report writing time by 50%, demonstrate tangible productivity gains. These metrics help organizations understand the broader benefits of AI training, beyond immediate skill acquisition, in driving innovation and efficiency.