How AI Is Shaping Global Business and the Future of International Careers 

As part of its annual Careers Crossing Borders series, the Center for Global Business brought together professionals working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and global business for “The Mini Roundtable on Global Business in the Age of AI and Tech” on October 27. The event gave students an opportunity to explore how AI is transforming industries, creating new business opportunities, and reshaping career paths. Through insights from alumni at Microsoft, W.R. Grace, and Lazarus AI, students learned how AI is being applied in the workplace and what skills, experiences, and perspectives they need to build to pursue careers in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The event opened with remarks from Kislaya Prasad, academic director of the Center for Global Business and research professor in the Decision, Operations and Information Technologies (DOIT) department at the Smith School, who provided a faculty perspective on how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping global business. He set the stage for the discussion by highlighting the growing influence of technology on how companies operate, compete, and create opportunities across international markets. 

Moderated by Franck Tchana, Finance '27, the panel explored how AI is being applied across industries and reshaping the way businesses operate. Alex Moser, Supply Chain '17 and an Order Management Specialist at W.R. Grace, shared how he uses AI to summarize information throughout the order management process and has independently developed a map illustrating how weather patterns affect freight volume and orders. Rocio Holub, International Business '04 and a Senior Cloud and AI Solution Engineer at Microsoft, described AI as her “private assistant,” explaining how she helps clients organize data and design AI architectures around their business needs. Offering a product development perspective, Katarina Slobodova, MBA '22 and a Product Manager at Lazarus AI, discussed how her company helps clients turn years of accumulated information into “their superpower,” highlighting AI's potential to transform business processes and create new solutions.

Beyond the technology itself, the conversation turned to the skills and experiences that helped shape the panelists' careers and prepare them to work in an evolving global business environment.

Holub shared that she initially envisioned an international career after graduating from Smith with a degree in International Business. She went on to work in 15 different countries before teaching herself to code and beginning her career at Microsoft. Even in her current role, her clients and colleagues continue to connect her to international work. She encouraged students to follow their passions, pressure test and challenge themselves, and strengthen their public speaking skills as they prepare to enter the workforce.

Moser emphasized that while AI can accomplish a great deal, the person using it remains critical. He highlighted the importance of fundamental skills, including reading, writing, and critical thinking, explaining that users must be able to evaluate AI-generated information and determine whether it is accurate and ready to share with clients. Beyond curiosity, he encouraged students to become self-directed learners who understand when and how to use AI to work more effectively.

Slobodova closed the discussion by encouraging students to diversify their experiences and broaden their perspectives. “The people who can make the right decisions are the ones who hold the most power,” she explained, emphasizing that effective decision-making comes from exposure to different perspectives and life experiences. She encouraged students to travel internationally, noting that experiencing how others see the world can help them better understand the needs of the people and communities around them.

Following the panel, students had the opportunity to continue the conversation through small-group roundtables with the professionals, asking questions and gaining additional insights into their career paths and experiences.

Through Careers Crossing Borders, the Center for Global Business helps students explore international career opportunities by connecting them with global business professionals and providing insights into the skills, experiences, and perspectives needed to pursue and succeed in global careers.