Sławomir Kierner works as Senior VP, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Humana Inc. in Boston. Humana is one of the largest medical and insurance companies in the United States. He is responsible for all data processes and the introduction of new solutions in the medical market based on artificial intelligence. Prior to that, he served as Chief Data and Analytics Officer in the Cloud and AI departments of Microsoft, Redmond, and co-created the company's success by leading the team analyzing data produced by modern SaaS cloud services and using AI to support their growth. In the past he also worked for Procter & Gamble as a CIO for Poland and the Baltic States and a member of the board of the company's Warsaw branch.
What did you study at TUL?
I studied at three faculties. I had a great privilege to be a part of the first year of IFE in the Faculty of Mechatronics, in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering from 1993 to 1997, then on my master's degree in the Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering from 1998 to 1999 and in parallel on supplementary studies at the then Faculty of Organization and Management from 1997 to 1998.
What skills, knowledge, competences gained during your studies helped you to achieve professional success?
Lodz University of Technology helped me develop a number of valuable skills. Firstly, the opportunity to study in English at the IFE was invaluable. Then, the knowledge of process control gained in the Electroheat Department, and in particular the interest in fuzzy logic instilled by Professor Jacek Kucharski. It was one of the first techniques of extended intelligence, which I became passionate about and which opened me to a number of new AI applications. In addition, the possibility of studying several courses at the same time taught me to organize time and work hard.
Which memory from your studies would you like to recall?
The beginnings of the International Faculty of Engineering (IFE) were very "start-up" like. The seat was a small room with a photocopier in the Rector's Office, where I met Dr. Saryusz-Wolski for the first time. Then we had our own "palace", which was being adapted and furnished during the first classes. There were only twenty-something people, we became very close to each other and to the staff. Each of us achieved something special in life. The combination of a few simple things - learning in English, an original and individual approach to the student and faith in our abilities proved to be extremely effective. Although Lodz University of Technology was not the only place where I was educated, even as a Harvard Business School Executive Education graduate, I can safely say that Lodz University of Technology was an exceptional stage for me.
It is worth choosing Lodz University of Technology, because...
An education with a technical profile, especially in English, opens and I believe that it will open many doors on the domestic and international market over the next few years. Crowds of talented graduates from all over the world have already earned a strong reputation and are making amazing careers in the world's biggest technology giants.
There are - I regret to say - really few representatives from Poland. Let's not finish our education with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Today, an international doctorate in a narrow technological specialization translates to huge money. Let's combine it with gaining business experience. Both must go hand in hand. Sounds like a difficult plan? The world is rushing with the speed of light today and we will either keep up with it or we will lose our chances in the technological revolution taking place before our eyes. Lodz University of Technology will prepare for such a plan.