Honeywell CEO Warns Employers AgainstResistance to Adoption of Artificial Intelligence

New York, US - Honeywell CEO Vimal Kapur urged employers to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and not resist its adoption, warning that those who do will "live in the past" and risk being left behind.

Speaking at the Fortune Global Forum conference in New York on Monday, Kapur expressed his optimism about the wider adoption of AI, which he believes will become a powerful tool when used effectively alongside other emerging technologies like 5G and the cloud. "If you're scared, it's a doomsday for everybody," he said.

Kapur's sentiments were echoed by Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies, who emphasized the importance of creating an adaptable culture to scale AI in the office. She acknowledged that there is confusion and fear from the top down about AI, saying "it introduces an uncertainty that we've never seen before into the workplace and into the global stage."

Johnson said human adaptation is key to success with AI. "You need to be prepared for anything and that's terrifying," she noted. However, she emphasized that humans can learn to harness AI by changing processes and business outcomes.

"We're not just focusing on AI answering questions for us; we're looking at 'What can I have this do for and with me?'" Johnson added, highlighting the need for a fundamental shift in mindset.

While there are risks associated with adopting AI, both Kapur and Johnson believe that these come with benefits if proper guardrails are put in place, such as robust data privacy plans and the ability to work across teams. "If you want to have a high return on investment, the risk has to be shared," Kapur said.

In short, embracing AI requires co-creation between human capabilities and technological advancements, according to Honeywell CEO Vimal Kapur.