Skip to main content

IBM Exec Discusses a Culture of Analytics in Program that Included a Chance to ‘Beat Watson’

There’s a hope that the next generation – including the 250 or so NC State College of Engineering and Poole College of Management students in the audience at today’s special presentation by IBM – will be able to solve ‘big system’ problems, said Ginny Rometti, senior vice president and group executive for IBM sales, marketing and strategy.

Rometti was speaking at NC State Poole College’s Nelson Auditorium as part of IBM’s 100th anniversary celebration. Her presentation here was one of about five that she is making worldwide, and her message to the primarily undergraduate student audience was that ‘a culture of analytics’ is evolving that will help to solve the big problems of the world.

She engaged the audience by prompting them to show their knowledge of world events and issues as she touched on topics ranging from the varied meaning of the word culture, to the growing world population, the waste of food, and evolving economies. Rometti focused on the culture of analytics, which she said, “is where we are at now,” it’s how the ‘big system’ problems will be solved.

Rometti also provided a few key points for students to consider as they prepare to launch their careers.

  • When interviewing with a company, ask what it values. That does matter.
  • Aim to have the greatest impact with what you do.
  • Globalization is important; gain a global perspective.
  • Make some good bets.

The full program, including Rometti’s remarks and a presentation about Watson, the natural language processing computer that has competed with live contestants on the Jeopardy! TV show, is available as an archived webcast. The program begins with IBM’s 100th anniversary video. It concludes with two NC State students competing against Watson, with Jim de Piante, executive project manager at IBM, moderating. De Piante also explains the Watson story in a segment that precedes Rometti’s remarks.

The Poole College of Management students in the Jeopardy! segment, left to right, are Eric Whitmire, sophomore in biomedical engineering and computer science, a Park Scholar and member of the Engineering Ambassadors, and Kyle Hartman, a senior in economics and Poole College Student Ambassador.

Media Coverage:

News & Observer – Watson wows NCSU students