What is it like running a Fortune 500 business? HP’s regional CTO on adopting AI safely and motivating tech teams

At HP, the journey from 11th to 84th in Fortune's largest U.S. companies list has sparked a strategic shift. Rajendra Sitompoel, HP's chief technology officer for the Nordics and Benelux regions, explains how the company is pivoting from a hardware-centric approach to a solution-focused model. This means developing a deeper understanding of client challenges and identifying the technologies and services that can help them succeed.

In an interview, Sitompoel discusses the challenges of adopting AI safely, motivating tech teams, and the importance of maintaining focus on end customers. He emphasizes the need to understand how technology is used and how it provides value in real-world scenarios. As he balances the company's internal evolution and external client engagement, Sitompoel stresses the importance of keeping the team motivated by allowing freedom to experiment, while ensuring adherence to security protocols.

His biggest concern is ensuring a safe and secure approach to AI, especially given its rapid development. To gauge success, he looks at the ratio of client meetings to internal meetings, aiming for a balanced distribution to ensure he's engaging effectively with customers.