Young Teachers and Technology: Conversations About the Future of Companies
On a Tuesday evening, the workshop organized by TIME in New York brought together three technology leaders to discuss how the digital revolution has transformed the way companies work. The event, held during the dinner between CEOs and chief technology officers, drew attention to the digital innovations shaping the future of business.
Among the speakers at the event were Franziska Bell, who holds the role of CTO and executive vice president at The Home Depot; Fiona Tan, the technology leader at Wayfair; and Sam Dozor, the chief technology officer of the global e-commerce company Rokt. The latter supported the event through sponsorship.
Among the speakers at the event were
Franziska Bell emphasized that adapting to new technologies must always be tied to the customer experience. She spoke about the „art of possibility”— that is, how technology can open up new possibilities when used wisely. A concrete example is an AI tool called Magic Apron, created to help customers find products in stores, get answers to practical questions about products, and interact by uploading images.
This system was implemented in 2,000 stores across the United States. The balance between technology and people remained essential, as she stated that she believes in human teams and AI.
Fiona Tan talked about how Wayfair uses technology to guide customers through a vast range of products. She mentioned that many customers don't know what they want and that the company tries to offer them a personalized experience that is familiar to them. Regarding recruitment, Tan said that companies need to look for young people who can quickly adapt to technological changes and that it is important for younger generations to work alongside the most experienced.
Fiona Tan talked about how Wayfair uses
Sam Dozor declared that now is the right time for companies to invest in technology. He explained that Rokt employees are encouraged to use AI to improve their skills — for example, engineers can work on product specifications, and designers can write code. The company has a forward-looking perspective, always thinking about the next steps and what employees can achieve.
Dozor concluded that the world is changing rapidly and that each of us can choose to live in the past, present, or future. He said that Rokt has chosen to live „seven months in the future.”