AI, Innovation and Leadership: A conversation with Google´s Dr. Omri Bergman, Head of Strategy & Operations CEE

Dr. Omri Bergman, a veteran Google strategist and a guest lecturer at LBS for the BA program, has dedicated over 12 years to building a career marked by innovation, leadership, and a deep focus on responsible AI practices. Currently serving as the Head of Strategy & Operations for Central and Eastern Europe and Alpine regions, Dr. Bergman has held central roles in strategy and retail operations across Europe. His professional interests pivot around applying AI principles in Google Cloud, designing effective prompts in Vertex AI, and cultivating responsible AI practices. As a guest lecturer at LBS, he contributes an industry perspective to the academic growth of our university, offering students practical knowledge about leadership, strategy, and innovation. He also leads the Job Application workshop for our fourth-semester Bachelor’s students, helping them navigate through the job search process in the ever-changing tech and business landscape.

During his talk, Dr. Bergman highlighted the evolving demands of the job market, emphasizing the growing importance of adaptability and continuous learning through experience. He shared how embracing challenges and seeking diverse perspectives shaped his professional journey, reinforcing the need for individuals to develop broad problem-solving skills to tackle various challenges. Rather than specializing narrowly, he noted, companies are increasingly seeking “generic problem solvers” who can adapt to dynamic environments. So he encouraged our students to embrace a growth mindset and seek challenging opportunities in order to grow, both personally and professionally.

Dr. Bergman also underscored the significance of a balanced skill set, combining technical expertise with essential soft skills. Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills are becoming increasingly valuable, setting individuals apart in a competitive landscape. In today’s competitive landscape, these interpersonal and problem-solving abilities are critical in setting individuals apart. Reflecting on his entrepreneurial experiences and leadership at Google, he encouraged students to hone their soft skills, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace moments of discomfort as opportunities for personal and professional growth: “The moments that are difficult, that you are uncomfortable, those are the moments when you actually break your borders and learn to grow.” He acknowledges that these experiences can be challenging, but he believes they push individuals beyond their limits and lead to significant personal and professional development. In these moments one also learns to look at failure from a different perspective, which is both humbling and transformative.

Dr. Bergman’s own entrepreneurial journey was marked by both successes and failures. As a founder of Venturecake.eu, Austria’s first co-owned accelerator, designed to foster the next generation of startups, Dr. Bergman shared insights into the challenges and opportunities for start-ups in today’s market. He opened up about the challenges he faced with his start-ups, including issues with warranty and low-profit margins. “I fail all the time,” he admitted. These experiences, while difficult, proved valuable lessons that informed his future decisions and contributed to his overall growth.

In his talk, Dr. Bergman also explored the latest advancements in AI, highlighting how these technologies are reshaping industries and creating new business opportunities. Drawing from his work at Google, he shared with our students the critical role AI plays in today´s business environment and the critical ways it could be embraced in various areas of expertise from strategy building to increasing productivity, while stressing the ethical considerations that should underline technology development and implementation. AI, he explained, acts as a “co-pilot,” enhancing productivity by automating repetitive tasks and enabling individuals to focus on more impactful projects. When asked whether AI will eventually replace humans he shared his skepticism: “I don´t think AI will replace humans in the next 10 years.” He urged students to leverage AI tools for efficiency and focus on developing areas where human creativity and emotional intelligence remain unmatched.

Finally, he stressed the necessity to maintain a proactive approach and seek out diverse perspectives. He advocates for staying ahead in a competitive landscape by reading consistently and investing in relationships. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasized the value of learning from failure, and seeking critical feedback, even if uncomfortable, especially when it comes from those who may hold negative opinions. He recounted an instance where he approached a colleague he disliked and asked for critical feedback on his presentation. This willingness to embrace constructive criticism, even if uncomfortable, demonstrates how valuable the commitment to continuous improvement is for Dr. Bergman.

Dr. Bergman’s talk offered students new insights into leadership, AI, and innovation. He reinforced LBS’s mission of blending academic excellence with real-world expertise, inspiring students to strive to become transformational and innovative leaders.