Map My Customers’ Angela Earl: Trusting Human Judgement in the AI Era, Human + Machine Partnership, Women in Tech Keynote

In this discussion, Angela Earl, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Map My Customers, joins me to discuss the role of human judgment in AI usage, how leaders can encourage creativity and critical thinking in a world influenced by automation, and details of her keynote at the 2026 Women in Tech program at Community Summit NA.

Key Takeaways

• Overview: Having spent 20 years in the tech space, and 15 of those in sales tech, Angela joined Map My Customers in February and oversees go-to-market functions. She’s an author, a speaker, and “really passionate about what’s happening in tech, especially now with… the acceleration that’s happening due to the innovation around AI.”
• Trusting your judgement: As the keynote speaker at the 2026 Women in Tech Program at Summit NA, Angela will focus on trusting individual voices and leading with confidence in an AI-driven world. She shares how she learned to trust her own perspective and speak up, even when she saw things differently. “Sometimes the fact that I was the only one thinking it was the very reason that I should be the one sharing it… I think that’s what makes me, me, is the way I approach problem-solving.”
• Leadership’s role: While AI can accelerate analysis, creativity, and execution, it doesn’t replace human judgment. As such, leaders still need to question AI’s answers, ask the right questions, and make time for critical thinking and creativity within their teams.
• Human + machines: When working well, the partnership between humans and machines represents strong collaboration. “I think the best outcomes are when you are thinking critically about what you’re getting from it [AI], and you’re pressing it,” she says. The point, however, isn’t to “hand the thinking over to the robot,” but to “expand what we’re capable of seeing and doing, while making sure that we maintain the judgment and decision-making on the human side.”
• Challenging the status quo: How can women building careers in technology leadership challenge the thinking in the room, even if they’re hesitant? Angela shares two pieces of advice: Rather than stating an opinion, lead with a question. “Reframe whatever it is in a way that allows and invites others to give in.” Secondly, she suggests building in accountability. Ask a mentor or colleague to engage you during the meeting if you haven’t spoken up, as a way to “break the silence more naturally.”
• Women in Tech at Summit NA: Hear more from Angela during her keynote presentation as part of this year’s Women in Tech program at Summit NA. The keynote, happening from 1-1:45 PM, will kick off the 3-hour program, which takes place from 1-4 PM on Monday, October 12. No additional registration is required, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community Summit NA is the largest independent Microsoft AI & Business Applications User Conference on the planet. Register today for four days of big ideas, education, training, networking, and more to define your relevance in the AI era.