General Manager – IBM Australia & New Zealand Nick Flood studied Education, Commerce and Business Research at UNE. He left his mark at St Albert’s College, where he played rugby for the Colts XV side and served as a pastoral assistant and academic adviser. Showing the leadership for which he has become known, Nick was also Vice-President of the UNE chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society that supports scholars around the world.
Nick took a break from his busy schedule to reflect on his time at UNE and its impact.
What part have your UNE studies played in your subsequent career?
My studies at UNE provided a great foundation to help me take my first steps into the workplace at IBM via the graduate program.
The learnings I gained at UNE across a diverse range of subjects, lectures and other formative experiences helped me enormously as a graduate and still help me now as I lead IBM in Australia.
You were very involved in St Albert's College. Tell us more about your college experiences at UNE.
Like a lot of young people, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my career when I was young. That really only evolved over the years I was studying.
I met a diverse range of people at St Albert's College, which has helped me as I have navigated the workforce – meeting with clients, employees and other stakeholders who have a range of lived experiences.
You have been quoted as saying that emerging technologies can help "create a more secure, sustainable, innovative and skilled Australia", revolutionise communities, address inequality and even solve some of the challenges facing our planet. How so?
I’m convinced that the application of technology can help Australians on the path to prosperity. To maintain and improve the wonderful egalitarian society we desire. My current role gives me the opportunity to work on initiatives around that.
We face our fair share of challenges in today’s world, and we can certainly do more to make things better for our local communities within Australia. But something I think about a lot is around the idea of what if we could harness the innovation and expertise of our incredibly talented people, and also help our regional neighbours speed their digital transformations?
I’m excited about a future where this win-win outcome helps drive not only a successful Australia, but also a more inclusive and prosperous region and world.
Significant trust issues accompany the rapid rise in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. How can trust be maintained?
Foundation models are set to radically change how businesses operate. A recent study from IBM found 41% of IT professionals say their company is currently exploring generative AI and 27% are actively using it – that’s 68% already acting around this transformative technology.
But for AI today, there are too few rules of the road. Like any technology going through rapid development, AI can be hazardous if developed in the wrong way, especially in business and government settings. AI is one example where I know Australia can lead the way, and in doing so, help our regional neighbours adopt AI that is trusted and empowering for their citizens.
How does the signing of the five-year, $725 million agreement with the Digital Transformation Agency to accelerate the Australian Government’s adoption of technology rate among your career achievements? How is the government tracking towards becoming a top 3 digital government?
The whole-of-government deal was a significant milestone for IBM in Australia and me personally. I was proud to be part of the team that established the first agreement in 2018 – for which I received the company’s highest honour for client service, the Gerstner Award. To have delivered this second iteration of the agreement as the leader of the company in Australia was special.
Australians have faced significant challenges in recent years – from the pandemic to devastating natural disasters and, more recently, a rise in major cyberattacks. To support Australians during these events, the government and public sector have rapidly transformed the way in which they operate and deliver services. Technology has played a key role in this transformation of government services, and IBM is proud to be supporting the government on its modernisation journey.
The deal sees IBM Australia continue to help the Australian government drive accelerated adoption of innovative technology to modernise government services for Australians.
What inspiration do you continue to draw from your country upbringing and education?
I’m an extrovert and my country upbringing, along with my education, have given me a real interest and fascination in people.
My current role allows me to engage with employees from so many different areas of the business, along with partners and clients in different industries – all of whom are doing incredibly innovative and creative things. Helping them to solve problems, where I can, is hugely fulfilling.
