Continuous Learning in the Age of AI

In this episode of Workplus, Richard Kirk speaks with John Healy about his remarkable career journey from accidental engineer to tech leader. John reflects on the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and purpose-driven work as he shares how he navigated roles at JP Morgan, Citi, Allstate, and Invest NI. With candor and clarity, John reveals what it means to lead with vision, bridge digital divides, and build meaningful careers, especially in a world transformed by AI.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Technology skills become obsolete. Continuous learning is non-negotiable.
• Careers often unfold through unexpected pivots, not straight paths.
• AI is not coming, it’s already changing how we build and deliver software.
• Leadership means communicating vision and inspiring belief in it.
• Collaboration across competitors can strengthen the whole sector.
• Good careers are built on more than qualifications. Skills like teamwork and adaptability matter most.
• Infrastructure, connectivity, and equity are essential to close the digital divide.
• Northern Ireland’s tech sector thrives because of deep relationships across academia, government, and business.
• The Software & AI initiative shows how industry can drive collective impact.
• Purpose is about creating jobs that improve lives, not just writing code.

BEST MOMENTS
00:00:04. “I knew nothing about interest rate and derivatives when I started, but it's a skill to know that you've got to have that ability to continuously learn throughout your career.”
00:01:34. “I absolutely hated engineering. I promised myself on graduation day I wasn’t going to work a single day as an engineer.”
00:04:29. “I had to go to the library to look up half the words in the job ad. I had never even heard of an investment bank.”
00:07:09. “I just absolutely loved it. From that support job, I moved onto the development side.”
00:09:16. “You’ve got to be prepared, willing and able to continually refresh your tech skills.”
00:10:47. “Whenever you're dead and gone, there's not a single person from JP Morgan going to be standing at my graveside.”
00:17:50. “Instead of having 10% of everything, let's have 100% of something.”
00:23:02. “Girls are out-performing boys at school. They’re getting the grades, but still not choosing tech.”
00:26:59. “You have all the best intentions, but you can't maximize the impact because schools just can't interact with you.”
00:44:34. “That's what the motivation is. The difference I can make from whatever seat I'm sitting in.”

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