The employment landscape is rapidly changing with the emergence of artificial intelligence. As AI systems become more and more powerful, workers will need new skills for utilizing AI tools, while other positions may be eliminated. To help MBA students navigate these changes, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Dean Alex Triantis invited executives from T. Rowe Price to share their insights on AI in the investment industry. The networking and career connection breakfast, organized by Carey’s Employer Relations team, attracted hundreds of alumni and business executives from the Baltimore-Washington region.
While an AI takeover may not be imminent, changes are on the horizon. T. Rowe Price’s Vice President of Investment Solutions, Michael Kubik, explained that his firm is in the early stages of incorporating AI into everyday work. “As we think about AI, we think about it for process improvements. How can we create the reports we need more quickly? How can we summarize the observations more quickly? How can we get an edge versus other firms providing a similar service?” said Kubik, who is also a Carey Business School alumnus.
AI Experimentation Lead Jeremy Vickery is focused on finding ways to implement AI throughout T. Rowe Price and in the services they provide. “What experimentation should do for a business like T. Rowe Price is multifaceted. One is just trying to make good predictions about whether we take an action or buy this software. Do we commit to this technical strategy?” Ultimately, Vickery says AI is all about the bottom line or the financial cost for business. He added that AI won’t replace anything if it's too expensive.
“Machines can't feel things. It's not the machine’s money. Humans must be the ones to apply judgment to decision-making,” Vickery said.
The human factor
While AI will inevitably bring change, Head of Talent at T. Rowe Price Pamela Lipp-Hendricks sees potential for workers. “One of the skills we're going to need is critical thinking. How do you think about what the possibilities are, and then how do you validate the ideas that are coming out to make sure that they are accurate, can make sense, and how do you think about doing it?” Lipp-Hendricks explained, “Humans can care. Humans can have empathy. Humans have curiosity. Humans engage with each other and help people feel like they're included and belong, and I think that's what we have to continue to do as we are understanding and harnessing the power of what AI can do technically.”
Senior Manager of Career Development Wendy Pardoe added, “I think we all know how quickly technology evolves, and it's rapidly changing. And to me, one of the key differentiators of leadership is the ability of people to adapt to change and bring others along. I really hope that AI is an enabler that's going to help our associates continue to grow by having a curiosity and a motivation, and that they can explore how and where they can add value to the firm.”
Standing out in a crowded field
To conclude the panel, Vickery offered some advice for future jobseekers in the AI-driven economy. He encouraged workers to focus on developing their human social skills and to be creative problem-solvers who understand the needs of the business and of the clients. “No matter what happens with fancy technology and AI, as a human, you will always have value to other humans,” he said.
Raneem Rayes (MBA/MPH ’27), a former biotech consultant, found the discussion was beneficial because it broadened her AI experience. “Learning about AI from a financial fintech perspective was really cool because across all industries they're looking for humans that can use their judgment and lead with empathy and use the tools accordingly.”
“The MBA Corporate Networking Breakfast is an important moment in the MBA experience because it shows students what professional networking really looks like in practice,” said Carey’s Director of Employee Relations Sara Bliden. “Networking is critical at every career stage, and opportunities like this help students build relationships that extend far beyond a single conversation.”
