Katrin Lehmann & Sead Ahmetovic
Inside Mercedes-Benz: How CIO Katrin Lehmann is Empowering 5,000 Developers and Driving Digital Change
#1about 7 minutes
From economics student to hands-on technologist at SAP
Katrin Lehmann shares her unconventional journey into tech, starting with economics and learning programming on the job with a focus on data migration and master data.
#2about 6 minutes
Why a software leader joined the automotive sector
The decision to move from SAP to Mercedes-Benz was driven by a desire for new challenges and the appeal of working with tangible, innovative products.
#3about 3 minutes
Defining the scope of the CIO role at Mercedes-Benz
The CIO is responsible for all enterprise IT, from employee devices and production plant software to cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure, excluding in-car systems.
#4about 5 minutes
Fostering a modern engineering culture at scale
Mercedes-Benz scales agile practices using the SAFe framework and improves developer experience through continuous feedback, surveys, and providing a central platform for all engineering teams.
#5about 7 minutes
Leadership's commitment to continuous hands-on learning
The entire leadership team dedicates one hour every Friday to hands-on learning and reverse mentoring sessions with internal tech experts to stay current with AI.
#6about 6 minutes
Why AI will augment developers, not replace them
The demand for software is growing so rapidly that AI tools will be essential for boosting developer productivity to meet future needs, evolving the role rather than eliminating it.
#7about 4 minutes
How Europe can compete in the global tech landscape
To retain top talent and foster innovation, Europe needs to increase investment in the tech sector and cultivate a culture that is more accepting of risk.
#8about 1 minute
Encouraging the next generation of tech innovators
Aspiring tech leaders are encouraged to embrace technology, learn continuously, and build their ventures in Europe to help the region's ecosystem flourish.
#9about 3 minutes
A quick-fire round on personal and professional preferences
A series of rapid-fire questions reveals personal preferences on work habits, technology choices, cars, and who she would have dinner with.
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Matching moments
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The future of recruiting beyond talent acquisition
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Breaking down silos between HR, tech, and business
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04:27 MIN
Moving beyond headcount to solve business problems
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04:22 MIN
Why HR struggles with technology implementation and adoption
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02:44 MIN
Rapid-fire thoughts on the future of work
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Automating formal processes risks losing informal human value
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Incentivizing automation with a 'keep what you kill' policy
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