What does it really take to lead in the age of AI?
In this episode of Execs on the Spot, Rajen Budiyan sits down with Lili Cheng, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Research for the Americas, for a fast-paced, unfiltered conversation about AI, career growth, and leadership.
From her unconventional journey from architecture to Microsoft Research, to her perspective on how AI is changing the way we work, Lili shares candid insights on staying curious, embracing uncertainty, and focusing on what truly matters.
Then, things speed up with a rapid-fire round where she answers everything from career advice to “AI or microwave?” with zero overthinking.
What you’ll learn:
• Why you don’t need a 10-year career plan
• How AI is reshaping work and decision-making
• The importance of learning from the people around you
• How to stay grounded in a fast-changing world
00:00 Intro
00:09 Lili’s career journey
02:38 Lili on AI
04:37 Execs on the Spot
06:00 Lili’s perspective and mindset
08:54 Career advice
09:37 Bonus questions
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