Full original interview → https://valiantceo.com/ai-leadership-insights-mike-thomson-of-unisys/
Explore how Mike Thomson leads Unisys in integrating AI into business strategies for enhanced client solutions and operational efficiency
Mike Thomson is president and chief operating officer at Unisys, helping clients experience breakthroughs as he oversees strategy and relationships for the company’s solutions: digital workplace; cloud, applications & infrastructure; enterprise computing; and business processes.
Mike joined the company in 2015, and most recently served as chief financial officer, driving the substantial strengthening of the company’s balance sheet, while also playing an important operational role.
For more than 25 years, Mike has held several accounting and financial reporting roles across a diverse set of business operations. He served as principal accounting officer and controller of Towers Watson & Company – a global professional services company, which offers consulting, technology and solutions in the areas of benefits, talent management, rewards and risk, and capital management. Mike advanced his Towers Watson career with roles of increasing responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of all financial information systems, as well as SEC and statutory reporting.
Prior to Towers Watson, Mike was director of financial reporting and financial systems for RCN Corporation, a provider of digital cable television, internet and voice services to residential and business customers. Other previous roles included time as the director of financial reporting for The Pep Boys, and firm accounting supervisor for Morgan Lewis.
Mike holds a Master’s in Taxation from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Philadelphia University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
Company: Unisys
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Mike Thomson: As President and Chief Operating Officer of Unisys, I oversee our strategy and growing new business by delivering breakthrough client solutions from cloud and AI to digital workplace and enterprise computing. Since joining Unisys in 2015, I’ve worked to strengthen our financial position and operational capabilities.
Unisys brings decades of experience navigating market disruptions and emerging technologies. Our strength lies in providing personalized service and solution customization for companies of all sizes. We blend deep experience with cutting-edge solutions to drive real business value for our clients, always focusing on turning our clients’ objectives into tangible outcomes.
What specific areas of your business have been most impacted by AI, and how?
Mike Thomson: There’s a lot of excitement — and fear — around AI in the headlines, but for businesses, it’s more about practical applications. We’re seeing our clients approach AI as a valuable new tool, not a magic bullet. The buzz can be distracting, and while short-term trends may be driving interest in AI, our clients are taking a measured approach and are focused on long-term outcomes.
Looking forward, we plan on infusing AI into all our product offerings. This commitment extends to the over 100 different AI production environments and proofs of concept currently in play across Unisys. We’re making AI second nature, not just for our clients but for our entire organization. Internally, this translates into a company-wide AI focus. We require base-level AI training for all employees and advanced levels for certain roles that need it because, sometimes, a push is what gets people past their initial fear. AI is simply another powerful tool in the kit, not something to be feared or force fit into a solution.
How are you ensuring ethical considerations are taken into account in your use of AI?
Mike Thomson: At Unisys, we ensure ethical AI practices by focusing on transparency, fairness, security, inclusivity, accountability, and sustainability.
Transparency is crucial in building trust. We maintain open communication about our AI systems’ operations and decision-making processes. Fairness is ensured through ongoing efforts to minimize bias in our AI systems, promoting equality and inclusivity.
Data security and privacy are non-negotiable priorities, given the vast amounts of information AI systems process. We’ve implemented robust governance structures to maintain high ethical standards and ensure accountability as the technology evolves.
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to creating AI systems that provide lasting value without unintended negative consequences. By adhering to these principles, we’re driving responsible innovation while mitigating potential risks.
What advice would you give to other CEOs looking to integrate AI into their business?
Mike Thomson: For business leaders seeking to integrate AI, the key is to prioritize impact. Start by assessing areas ripe for innovation and process improvements that can accelerate decision-making. Focus on AI initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to your customers, employees, and stakeholders, ensuring strategic objectives aligned to your business goals guide your approach. A value assessment is crucial: analyze your entire value chain to pinpoint opportunities where AI can generate the most value. Identify and address your top challenges — often the biggest pain points harbor the most promising AI opportunities. Look for teams eager to innovate and embrace new approaches — senior leadership commitment can set the tone for an entire business unit.
With a clear understanding of AI’s value potential, it’s easier to develop a strategic roadmap. This holistic view allows the prioritization of an AI portfolio aligned with strategic objectives, driving value creation and competitive advantage.
Once these needs are determined, take the necessary steps to equip your workforce with AI skills. Consider starting with a pilot group of enthusiastic early adopters who can help refine your AI approach and strategy. Their insights and feedback will be invaluable in identifying additional opportunities and achieving wider adoption across your organization.
How do you see AI evolving in your industry over the next 5 years?
Mike Thomson: The evolution of AI in our industry over the next five years will likely be characterized by its ability to be combined with other cutting-edge technologies. For example, the intersection of AI and quantum computing, particularly with approaches like quantum annealing, shows significant promise.
We anticipate a shift towards more specialized AI applications that move beyond general solutions to highly targeted ones capable of addressing complex, industry-specific challenges.
As we see an increased demand for cloud mobility, the evolution of AI in cloud environments will also be defining. As AI becomes more integral to cloud services, the ability to move seamlessly between different cloud providers will be essential. This is not just a cloud issue in fact, most of our clients operate a hybrid multi-cloud environment and the implementation of AI needs to traverse both on-prem and cloud environments.
Data management and enrichment also will be key focus areas. Many organizations currently possess AI tools but lack the properly structured data to fully leverage the technology. We expect a significant push in data optimization to unlock AI’s full potential.
Finally, we foresee AI taking on a more collaborative role in decision-making processes. Advanced AI assistants providing real-time insights and recommendations across various business functions will likely become more prevalent.
