Howie Xu: Innovating at Gen
Howie Xu, Gen’s Chief AI & Innovation Officer, brings over two decades of experience in software and AI innovation. A pivotal figure in the evolution of VMware and various startups, Howie now drives AI adoption and development at Gen. He focuses on creating AI-native applications and aligning the company with cutting-edge AI trends.

The Pragmatic Shift in AI
Generative AI marks a transformative moment for the industry. As Howie notes, foundational models are drastically reducing the steps required for AI deployment, making it more accessible. However, he cautions against oversimplifying AI’s complexities, emphasizing the importance of understanding its intricacies for successful implementation.

AI Integration: A 90-Day Roadmap
For companies beginning their AI journey, Howie suggests a dual-approach strategy: pairing domain experts with AI professionals to collaboratively identify and address pain points. This partnership fosters a cultural and process shift necessary for sustainable AI adoption. Over time, Howie predicts this collaborative model will become the industry standard.

Lessons from Industry Leaders
Reflecting on VMware’s trajectory, Howie discusses how early AI adoption could have enhanced infrastructure management through automation. He also critiques Intel’s missed opportunities in AI, urging its leadership to take bold, long-term approaches in aligning with emerging AI trends.

HumanX: The Future of AI Conferences
As a speaker at the upcoming HumanX conference, Howie expresses optimism about its potential to stand out as a premier AI event. He highlights the importance of such gatherings for fostering meaningful education and collaboration, distinguishing them from the noise of numerous other summits.

Looking Ahead
Howie Xu’s insights underline both the opportunities and challenges of the AI revolution. From enabling pragmatic applications to navigating organizational change, his vision points toward a future where AI’s full potential is realized across industries.