Why Amazon Web Services’ VP Uses AI to Put People First

Guest: Dave Levy, Vice President of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Worldwide Public Sector (WWPS) AI is all the buzz — but how do you lead your team through all the noise to find what works for you? Dave Levy clears the noise in this episode. By helping governments discern the best AI tools to serve their communities, he sees the qualities any leader needs to look for…and security is right at the top of the list. So is education, including growing the talent pool to meet demand! Here's what Dave and Maureen cover: Why “inventing” your own AI apps can be better in the long run than using a popular off-the-shelf system; Why Amazon is willing to invest heavily in free AI and IT training and education programs for the public; and The importance of having at least one leader on your board or in your C-suite who knows enough to safely spearhead your AI (and tech) efforts. Other episodes you'll enjoy: How Moonshots & Robots Put Packages on Your Porch with Steve Armato Humans in the Loop: AI’s New Business Models with Suchi Srinivasan Leading with an Eye on AI with Neil Sahota   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Information about Amazon’s Cloud Innovation Center with Arizona State University is available at https://news.asu.edu/content/arizona-state-university-and-amazon-web-services-collaborate-introduce-smart-city-cloud.   You can learn more about Amazon Web Services’ services (we couldn’t resist!) at https://aws.amazon.com.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Everyday Ubuntu: Living Better Together, the African Way by Mungi Ngomane. Hardback (https://amzn.to/48Doh6j) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/48YCRF4) Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First by Martha Piper & Indira Samarasekera. Paperback (https://amzn.to/3tOtzg4) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/41OYdT5) Jilly Truit murder mysteries by Beverley McLachlin: Full Disclosure – https://amzn.to/46TxW6Q (paperback) https://amzn.to/46VDL3Q (audiobook) Denial – https://amzn.to/46YCbhs (paperback) https://amzn.to/3GJc0AA (audiobook) Women and Leadership: Journey Toward Equity by Sherylle J. Tan & Lisa DeFrank-Cole   NOTE: As an Amazon partner, we may make a small commission from books you buy through these links.   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor & Raconteur: Luigi Morelli Always a Beta Release Ahead of the Latest AI: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Threads: @innovativeleaders X/Twitter/Whatever New Name It Has This Week: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  TikTok: @innovativeleadership Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Dave Levy is the Vice President of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Worldwide Public Sector (WWPS). In this role, Dave leads government, education, healthcare, aerospace and satellite, and nonprofit businesses globally. He and his teams help customers realize the potential of technology to transform their organizations and fulfill their missions. Previously, Dave served as the Vice President of AWS’s U.S. Government, Nonprofit and Global Healthcare businesses. Before joining AWS, Dave worked for Apple Inc. for 12 years and led the teams that helped the government adopt innovative mobile technologies. Dave serves on the M Health Fairview Health System board in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Innovation and Research Board for Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC.