CFO with background in astrophysics talks about AI

AI For Business


good morning,

Alice Globus, CFO of the technology company Nanotronics, has a background in astrophysics. She says she followed the path she took after being inspired by watching her classic sci-fi TV show “Star Trek” as a child. But advice from her astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has also influenced how she works as CFO.

When Globus was studying physics in college, she participated in a research experience program for astrophysics undergraduates at the American Museum of Natural History. Tyson offered advice to her students and she still practices it to this day.

“Our work as scientists and astrophysicists is educators for the world,” Globus recalls Tyson telling the group. “And when we can’t articulate the most complex topics to the average person or a child, we’re not doing our job well.”

“A lot of people don’t realize that astrophysics is probably one of the earliest forms of data science, and it deals with very large datasets and numbers,” says Globus. She had completed her Ph.D. Regarding the astrophysics program, Globus says, “I initially decided to shift my career focus to investment banking because I wanted to invest in tomorrow’s future technology.”

She later became the Chief Financial Officer. Also, from 2021 she will be her CFO of Nanotronics, and it will be important for her to communicate complex topics. The company applies her AI to manufacturing processes, capturing all data from factories to identify opportunities for incremental and exponential efficiency gains. “We work with our customers to identify what the problem is and automate it so that we can avoid those problems in the future,” he says.

Nanotronics customers are Fortune 500 companies, she says. They are manufacturers, and “a lot of them work in the tech industry, although not in the traditional sense,” she says. Nanotronics also has several startup clients, and “we are very passionate about it and want to help them grow as we grow,” she says.

Globus and I talked about how Nanotronics is using generative AI and why CFOs should avoid this technology.

luck: What makes Nanotronics unique?

We are the first company to apply artificial intelligence to inspection within manufacturing. We know it’s not the most exciting field for the average person. But what it meant was that they had identified a problem in the manufacturing process. And people were making actionable changes. As a result, the customer has reduced waste, reduced costs associated with scaling the product, and significantly reduced man-hours for physical inspection.

Are there any examples of using generative AI for human performance?

One trend I’ve seen in factories is the “machine whisperer.” The word is used affectionately. It is possible that it is these individuals who work his second shift at the Wichita facility. For some reason, when they’re working, whatever metric they’re measuring, the quality of their products is much higher, and their yields are much higher. Better. But you talk to the individual and they can’t quite pinpoint why.

Then what Nanotronics does is actually add sensors.And then I found out I might be adding catalyst when the centrifuge is spinning at so many RPMs [revolutions per minute]And workers are actually hearing it physically. Here he can tell management that the AI ​​has really come into play and that this person is making changes to the process and is within safety guidelines. The company can then decide whether to consider applying this to all manufacturing facilities.

Another Use Case: Oil rigs are a perfect example of how one of the biggest causes of accidents is human fatigue. This can all be avoided by using cutting-edge techniques to notify employees and alert their bosses when they need to take a break.

There are arguments that manufacturing automation and AI may take jobs away from workers. what is your point of view

I would be lying to you if I said that no one’s job would ever be replaced. I’m here. It will help them do a better job. This is another tool in Toolshed.

What would you say to a CFO who is hesitant about introducing AI into their business processes?

I don’t think that the power of analysis and observation can be obtained by humans alone. The amount of things that can be measured and quantified is immense. This is where the role of being a strategic CFO becomes important. With that data, you can make informed decisions about where resources can be allocated. There are also some things that cannot be achieved without artificial intelligence. If people aspire to carbon neutrality, it will not be possible without this interrelationship of artificial intelligence.


Have a nice weekend.

Cheryl Estrada
sheryl.estrada@fortune.com

What’s to come: next luck Announced in partnership with Workday (CFO Daily Sponsor), the new CFO Virtual Event “Addressing the Talent Gap with Advanced Technologies” will take place on April 12th from 11am-12pm EST. luckand TELUS International CFO joins me Vanessa KanuAlight Solutions CFO Katie Rooney; and Tom Davenport author, AI all-in, Chancellor Distinguished Professor at Babson College, Fellow of the MIT Initiative for the Digital Economy, and Visiting Professor at the Said Business School, University of Oxford. Click here for more information and registration.

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big deal

A recent study by management consulting firm Korn Ferry evaluated the use of ChatGPT in business. In a survey of 312 professionals, 46% said they currently use ChatGPT as part of their job, and 83% said they plan to use it in the future. According to the survey, 76% of his respondents said their company does not recommend his use of ChatGPT at work. And less than half (43%) said they trust ChatGPT to deliver accurate results. “ChatGPT is a useful tool, but it shouldn’t replace the personalized approach that people bring to their daily work and job search,” said Korn Ferry, senior in the technology practice of his client and his partner, Brad. Frank said in a statement.

deeper

Here are some of Fortune’s weekend reads.

Apple’s Tim Cook shares simple stress-relief tips for running one of the world’s biggest businesses.

Most leaders make quick decisions with cost savings in mind, but research shows more than a third later regret it by Orianna Rosa Royle

Generation Z leads the rise in workers wanting to go to the office more, they say they are more productive by Trey Williams

Working past the traditional retirement age may be good for your health, but only if you’re wealthy by Chris Farrell

Leader board

Here is a list of notable moves this week:

William (Bill) Lacey Lacy was appointed CFO of Woodward (Nasdaq: WWD), an energy conversion and control solutions provider, effective May 8. Lacey also spent his 28-year career at General Electric, where he served as president and CEO of the company’s lighting division, a role he retained following the acquisition of the division by Savant, and also led the company’s healthcare medical diagnostics and wind energy businesses. Served as his CFO for the division. .

Lillian D. Etskone has been appointed EVP and CFO of manufacturer LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), effective April 17. As previously announced, his current EVP and CFO of LCI Industries, Brian Hall, is retiring. Prior to joining Lippert, Etzkorn was his CFO at Covia. Prior to that, he held multiple financial leadership roles, including CFO at Shiloh Industries and CPI CARD GROUP. Additionally, she has held various senior positions at publicly traded automotive companies such as her Dana Holding Corporation and Ford Motor Company.

Thomas D. Barry Appointed CFO of SiriusXM Holdings (Nasdaq: SIRI). He will succeed Sean Sullivan in his current position as CFO, effective April 28. Since 2009, Barry has served as SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President and Controller, where he serves as the company’s Chief Accounting Officer. Barry led the company through the merger of He Sirius and He XM, and through the acquisition of Pandora and the connected vehicle business.

Grant E. Fitz He was named CFO of manufacturing company Myers Industries (NYSE:MYE). He will succeed interim CFO Monica Kabinei effective May 8. Fitz has more than 30 years of management and financial experience, including tenure as an executive at General Motors. Prior to joining Myers Industries, he was the CFO of EFI, a technology company.

Eric Williams Appointed CFO of Momentus Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTS), a commercial space technology company. He will replace his Dennis Mahoney as Interim CFO. Williams has over 15 years of experience in financial operations at various technology companies.

heard

“We are pleased that Sweetgreen has chosen to amend the material in a manner that protects our trademarks and intellectual property. We have therefore agreed to resolve the pending litigation.”

— Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. Chief Executive Officer Laurie Shallow wrote in an email to Bloomberg about the company’s resolution of the pending lawsuit against Sweetgreen Inc. ” to “Chicken + Chipotle Burrito Bowl”.



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