John Thompson, intermittent lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Information, is an author and innovator with nearly four decades of experience in artificial intelligence, data science and advanced analytics. 

Most recently, he led the global AI function at EY, where he was responsible for designing and deploying innovative AI solutions across all service lines. Under his leadership, his team developed the world’s largest private LLM-based chat service, which has quickly become the fastest-growing tech service in EY’s history, supporting more than 300,000 employees. 

He is the author of multiple books, including “The Path to AGI” (artificial general intelligence), published in February. The book is a guide for technologists and business leaders alike, outlining one of the most likely paths AI could take in the coming decades, as it becomes embedded in nearly every system and operation. 

A Michigan native, Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Ferris State University and holds an MBA in marketing from DePaul University. He joined UMSI this semester as an intermittent lecturer in information and a member of the UMSI Advisory Board. 

“The School of Information at the University of Michigan is a unique institution,” he says. “I have been working at the intersection of technology, information and people for over 38 years, and when I heard that this is the exact juncture UMSI addresses, I knew I had to be actively involved.” In this Q&A, he chats with associate dean for academic affairs Cliff Lampe about what makes UMSI unique, the inspiration for his course, and his decades-long drive to solve interesting problems. 

Cliff Lampe: How and when did you start teaching at UMSI?

John Thompson: This is my first semester teaching at UMSI. I have long admired the University of Michigan in general and, over the past five years, I have learned how unique UMSI is. I am very excited to teach both undergraduate and graduate levels. It is a true joy to be on campus meeting with students, alumni, faculty and administrators. 

What do you teach? What’s the top-line learning goal for that class?

I am currently teaching SI 511: Management of Analytics Teams (MAT). The class is based on my second book, “Building Analytics Teams.” The concept underpinning the book and the class is that analytics teams are more like a salon of artists than a regular technology or project team. The top learning goal is to begin to teach students to appreciate and to amplify the unique aspects of analytics teams to drive change and transformation.

What’s your favorite thing about working with UMSI students?

I love their unbridled curiosity and willingness to jump into a discussion about almost any topic.  I have engaged with UMSI students for a few years now, but outside of campus. A couple years ago, we hosted a capstone project with UMSI UX students. The project was a huge success. The students brought a whole new level of energy, excitement and unique ideas to the project.  Our employees were really drawn to the students, and the outcome truly improved the software product we were working on.

Tell me more about yourself. 

I grew up in Clifford, Michigan. Prior to college, I was an automotive and diesel mechanic. I never intended to go to college, but after a year of working, I thought I would give it a try. I found that I was naturally drawn to programming and computer science. My whole adult life, from a professional perspective, has been about solving interesting problems with data and analytics. I have spent the last 38 years building analytical systems and writing books, working in 20 different industries across the world. I just published my fifth book, “The Path to AGI.” My wife and I are about to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We have two children: a son who is 27, and a daughter who is 25 and a UMSI graduate.

What is something you want folks at UMSI to know about you? 

I love to help people. I want everyone to understand and feel comfortable with AI, data and analytics. I am a nerd, for sure. Being from Michigan, I love cars, motorcycles and birds. And while not really a Michigan thing, I love rockets too. I am so very pleased and excited to be teaching at UMSI — it is truly a dream come true.

RELATED

Industry Insights: Meet copyright expert and UMSI lecturer Melissa Levine

Industry Insights: Meet auto UX leader and UMSI lecturer Bill Thompson

Industry Insights: Meet video game entrepreneur and UMSI lecturer Natalie Fang