How Leaders Can Be Stewards of “Good Tech”

HBR logo black

Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty on driving positive, meaningful change for individuals, our organizations, and our world.

November 29, 2023

Nov23 29 1256204396

Kilito Chan/Getty Images


Tweet


  • Post


  • Share


  • Annotate


  • Save


  • Get PDF


  • Buy Copies


  • Print

  • It’s always been important for companies to take responsibility for the creation, application, and disruption of the technologies they create and use, but now that the rapid application of AI is affecting people’s privacy, security, and daily lives as never before, accepting that responsibility is essential. This is true not just for tech companies, but any organization that uses or applies AI. Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty focused the company’s efforts in three areas: building trust in the company and in technology; championing diversity and inclusion; and, preparing society to thrive in the digital era. Companies facing today’s continuing technological changes can learn from her efforts.

    This article is one in a series on “Creative Resilience: Leading in an Age of Discontinuity,” the theme of the 15th annual Global Peter Drucker Forum. See the conference program here.

    Stewarding good tech is a core principle of what I call “good power”: leaders’ and businesses’ ability to drive positive, meaningful change for ourselves, our organizations, and our world. Today, as new technologies like generative AI become ubiquitous, being a steward of good tech is more vital than ever.

    New!

    HBR learning icon

    HBR Learning

    topic landing page 1400

    Ethics at Work Course

    Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Ethics at Work. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.

    Avoid integrity traps in the workplace.

    Start Course

    Learn More & See All Courses


    Tweet


  • Post


  • Share


  • Annotate


  • Save


  • Get PDF


  • Buy Copies


  • Print

  • New!

    HBR learning iconHBR Learning

    Ethics at Work Course

    Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Ethics at Work. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.

    Avoid integrity traps in the workplace.

    topic landing page 1400

    Read More