From Mainframes to AI Agents: William Brown on Transforming Tech and Self

William A “Bill” Brown, former Chief Architect at IBM and founder of Application Engineering Services, joins us to explore how AI can drive access, equity, and innovation when guided by human intention. From wiring office networks in 1980s New York to building AI agents today, Bill’s career is rooted in curiosity and continual learning. In this expansive conversation, he shares how he navigated each wave of technological change, why he sees AI as the most transformative shift of his lifetime, and what skills educators and students need to succeed in this new era. Bill’s insights connect the dots between lifelong learning, technical fluency, and the people-first mindset that shapes meaningful progress. Highlights: - The homemade database that sparked Bill’s 35-year tech career -What AI fluency looks like for students, educators, and career-changers -Designing global cloud architecture with human needs in mind -Building AI tools that support learning and skill development -Centering equity, sustainability, and impact in AI work