In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Kathryn Hume, VP of Digital Channels Technology at RBC. Kathryn shares her unique career path, blending math, literature, and philosophy, leading her into the field of AI and technology. She discusses the importance of pairing technical knowledge with deep business understanding to apply machine learning effectively.

Kathryn highlights the challenges and strategies of integrating AI within RBC, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships between technical experts and business leaders. She explains how Borealis AI, RBC's research institute, focuses on practical solutions, innovative POCs, and long-term research goals to drive AI adoption in banking.

The conversation also dives into ethical AI, data privacy, and the importance of diversity in tech teams. Kathryn shares her approach to people management, stressing the value of understanding individual team members' strengths and interests to foster high performance. She concludes with advice for young professionals: focus on excelling in your current role rather than over-optimizing future career moves.

Key Highlights:

- Pair technical and business expertise for AI success
- Effective AI needs iterative design processes
- Understand and address ethical AI considerations
- Develop inclusive, diverse, and high-performing teams
- Simplify complex tech concepts for better communication

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