“Quick Qs” is a chance to get to know more about new leaders here at Levi Strauss & Co. Meet Paul Pallath, our new Global Technology Head of Artificial Intelligence.
1. What is your new role at LS&Co.?
My role as a senior business leader is to build, lead and scale our technology infrastructure to support the full spectrum of artificial intelligence capabilities across the enterprise, in all functions and regions. These capabilities include harnessing data and identifying new ways to gather and produce data; using data to drive decisions and business outcomes through a comprehensive continuum of analytics; and fueling artificial intelligence — both machine learning and automation — which in turn generates more data.
2. What did you do before joining LS&Co.?
I have been in the analytics domain for more than two decades, and I have had the opportunity to work on machine learning use cases in a variety of areas like ecommerce, stock markets, telecom, sports, consumer finance and Internet of Things.
I am joining LS&Co. from Vodafone Idea Ltd, India, where I was Executive Vice President — Big Data and Machine Learning. I set up the entire function from the ground up and scaled the team to 45 members (plus 50 partner associates), delivering machine learning interventions across all the various verticals in the company.
Prior to that, I was at SAP as the Sr. Director and Chief Data Scientist based out of Dublin, Ireland, where I had the opportunity to embed machine learning in all the SAP applications as well as work with and lead teams across Paris, Germany, Canada, China and the U.S.
3. What attracted you to LS&Co.?
The opportunity with LS&Co. was a no-brainer. I am super excited to be part of this amazing company because:
- It’s a brand I grew up with
- The strong values that the company has stood on for over 160 years
- The amazing leadership team with a strong vision and leaders who are constantly challenging and reinventing themselves
- The chance to be part of the winning team that’s helping drive artificial intelligence interventions for one of the most iconic global brands and help in its journey toward becoming a data-driven digital company
4. What advice would you give to your younger self?
You only have one life, so make the most of it.
5. What is your favorite quote?
“Your goal should be just out of reach. But not out of sight.” — Remi Witt.
6. What’s the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
Another lottery.
7. What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be a heart specialist, one who specialized in open-heart surgery.
