Fletcher Previn, Cisco’s CIO, discussed key aspects of Cisco’s roadmap at Cisco Live Amsterdam, emphasizing the significance of organizational culture, strategic IT planning with pillars focused on user experience, business agility, and AI integration. He highlighted the balance between innovation and regulation, addressing shadow IT risks, and shared success stories like ‘Bridget,’ a digital assistant aimed at enhancing employee productivity.
At Cisco Live in Amsterdam, CIO Fletcher Previn discussed key aspects of Cisco’s strategic roadmap, including a focus on AI regulations and managing shadow IT. He highlighted the importance of organizational culture, stating it is a critical aspect of a company’s identity. He asserted, “Culture is the only thing you really own about your company. They can steal your technology, but not your philosophy.”
Previn described his approach to developing a tactical IT strategy built on three main pillars aimed at fostering an agile, innovative organization. The first pillar emphasizes enhancing user experience through direct collaboration between design and development teams. This ensures all company communications, from applications to emails, undergo strategic development.
The second pillar revolves around business agility, focusing on establishing stable, skilled teams comprising six to ten members capable of driving innovations to production effectively. The third pillar involves leveraging AI across various operational facets, including productivity improvements for employees and enhancing Cisco’s AI infrastructure for specific applications such as noise cancellation in Webex.
Regarding technology legislation, Previn noted the global trend of increasing regulation around data privacy and residency, prompting companies to evaluate workloads between public Internet and on-premises environments. He expressed concern over the differing regulatory approaches between Europe and the US, recognizing the impact on innovation in the tech industry and Cisco’s adaptability to market demands.
Previn emphasized the need for a balanced approach towards innovation and regulation in AI, particularly regarding ethical considerations. Cisco has a dedicated responsible AI team that collaborates with legal experts to ensure compliance with local laws before deploying any technology. He acknowledged the potential risks associated with AI, including bias and the rapid pace of technological change compared to human adaptability.
Previn tackled the issue of shadow IT, which poses risks when there is a disconnect between organizational offerings and employee expectations. He promotes transparency and employee engagement in technology decision-making, aiming to boost trust and productivity. He stated, “If the employee is able to promise that, through technology, he will be as good or even better at his job, I will gladly give it to him.”
He also underscored the importance of addressing employees’ everyday technology issues to maintain credibility as a CIO. In this context, he highlighted ‘Bridget,’ a digital assistant aimed at improving employee access to information. He reported successful adoption rates and reinforced the idea that effective IT practices can significantly enhance work quality.
In his concluding remarks, Previn likened working in IT to neurosurgery due to its dynamic challenges, emphasizing the crucial role engineers and technologists play in shaping future infrastructure and advocating for IT as a vital business enabler rather than merely a cost center.
Original Source: www.networkworld.com
