
Nelly Wilson // Google's Youngest AI Head Launches with Hollywood Leadership Lessons
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About this listen
Nelly Wilson is ready for lunar departure, but first she's revealing the three films that shaped her journey from finance major to Google Cloud's youngest-ever Global Head of AI Services for Weather and Climate.
Her opening choice? Singing in the Rain—Gene Kelly's technicolor masterpiece that captures Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies. "It really showcases how you're able to adapt to the change that is coming," Nelly explains, finding parallels between 1950s cinema innovation and today's AI revolution. She champions excellence over perfection, learned from watching Kelly's demanding choreography standards.
Next comes Patton, George C. Scott's powerhouse performance as the controversial WWII general. Growing up watching military films with history-loving grandparents, Nelly connects with Patton's authenticity and resilience. "Whether it's right or wrong, he really believed what he was fighting for," she notes, exploring the delicate balance between strong leadership and political awareness.
Her final selection surprises: The Hangover, the Bradley Cooper comedy about friendship through chaos. "You can't take life too seriously," Nelly laughs, appreciating how disasters become learning experiences and strengthen relationships. She quotes Steve Jobs: "You can only connect the dots looking backwards."
Between discussions of optimism, postmortems at Google, and why "success isn't always being well-liked," Nelly shows why AI's future is in thoughtful hands. Plus: endless orange gummy slices and Arthur Brooks' wisdom on career transitions.
Mission duration: 45 minutes of next-generation leadership insights.