HI From AI: Sarah Thompson: The Face of BlueStar's Human Intelligence
Sarah Thompson, Chief Product Officer
In the era of AI-driven technologies and automation, the spotlight often shines on machines, leaving the intrinsic value of Human Intelligence (HI) overshadowed. However, for those familiar with Sarah Thompson's trailblazing journey in the legal technology realm, the emphasis on HI becomes crystal clear. Today, we delve deep into Sarah's expertise and the invaluable human element she brings to the table.
Why Human Intelligence Matters
Before going into Sarah's accomplishments, it's crucial to understand the essence of HI in the legal technology sector. While machines can sift through data, analyze patterns, and even predict outcomes, they lack the intuition, emotional intelligence, and nuanced understanding that professionals like Sarah bring. In a domain as intricate as legal technology, these human faculties become indispensable.
Sarah Thompson: A Paradigm of Human Expertise
Sarah's journey, rich with innovation and transformative solutions, stands testimony to the power of HI. As an executive product leader, her track record boasts of successfully developing, launching, transforming, and promoting over half a dozen groundbreaking legal technology products. These are not mere tools but solutions that resonate with the real challenges faced by law firms, government agencies, and corporations globally.
Her passion for delivering cloud-based solutions focuses predominantly on user experience. This isn't an AI's prediction based on data; it's Sarah's human intuition understanding the pulse of the market, the unarticulated needs of the users, and foreseeing the trajectory of the industry.
The Builder in Sarah
Labeling Sarah as just an executive would be an understatement. She is a 'Builder.' Sarah’s endeavors in constructing both software and hosting businesses underline her innate ability to perceive a gap, visualize a solution, and then build it from scratch. This skill, coupled with her relentless commitment to her clients, truly sets her apart.
Sarah possesses a deep and unique understanding of AI, having not only familiarized herself with it but also actively engaged in developing products that are powered by artificial intelligence. This close, hands-on experience with AI allows her an intimate knowledge of its applications, the challenges it presents, and its limitations. Her perspective is not merely theoretical but is enriched by her practical involvement and innovative contributions to the field. Sarah is not only knowledgeable but is also a proactive innovator in the realm of AI. With her extensive experience, she meticulously built from the ground up a cutting-edge AI-powered software known as the BlueStar Next Gen Solutions suite, groundbreaking tools powered by AI to do what no other legal technology has ever done, including the ability to digitize handwritten documents and extract searchable text at an accuracy rate that has never been seen before and significantly transform foreign language document review processes, redefining the landscape of eDiscovery as we know it.
Sarah stands out as a premier authority in the realm of M365 eDiscovery within the legal industry. She has not only established but also successfully brought to market the inaugural integration into M365 eDiscovery. Since this significant contribution, Sarah has not rested on her laurels; instead, she has consistently engaged in the development of groundbreaking products designed to address and resolve the various legal challenges associated with Discovery in Microsoft 365. One noteworthy example of her innovative solutions is Siemly, a product specifically crafted for Microsoft 365 investigations. Siemly looks where others overlook. Gathering its intelligence from user activity to quickly pinpoint key facts and activities, saving its users vast amounts of time and money.
At BlueStar, as the Chief Product Officer, she helms the ship, steering it toward unchartered territories with offerings that are innovative and pivotal for legal professionals. The development of platforms such as Siemly stands as a testament to her forward-thinking approach.
A Journey Beyond Professionalism
While her professional achievements are stellar, Sarah’s persona extends beyond boardrooms. Fluent in French, a proud mother, and a fervent advocate for women in tech – Sarah’s diverse facets remind us of the depth and breadth of HI. Her nomination as a finalist for Relativity's Stellar Women Innovation Award in 2020 is a nod to her multifaceted excellence.
A significant portion of Sarah's expertise is backed by her solid academic foundation. She holds a BS in computer science from Western University, equipping her with the technical prowess that complements her leadership capabilities. In addition to her nearly 20 years of experience in the legal tech industry, her credentials as a Certified E-Discovery Specialist (CEDS), issued by the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), further amplify her authority in the legal technology space.
The Echoes of Appreciation
Those who've crossed paths with Sarah often laud her expertise, but what stands out is the appreciation for her ability to build lasting relationships. Her human touch, understanding, and empathy – qualities that no AI can replicate – have left indelible impressions. “She has always impressed me with both her product and industry knowledge. She has built strong relationships with clients, providing them with a high level of service and support, going back many years", "Examples of her accomplishments include developing a business plan and launching a very successful SaaS offering against a very aggressive schedule and requirements; providing strategic and tactical advice for acquisitions and integrations, and providing outstanding client services".
She is Nowhere Near Finished
As the technological landscape propels forward, the importance of champions like Sarah Thompson becomes even more pronounced. Her journey, expertise, and the essence of Human Intelligence she embodies serve as a potent reminder: in the world of zeros and ones, the human touch remains irreplaceable.
In the era of AI-driven technologies and automation, the spotlight often shines on machines, leaving the intrinsic value of Human Intelligence (HI) overshadowed. However, for those familiar with Sarah Thompson's trailblazing journey in the legal technology realm, the emphasis on HI becomes crystal clear. Today, we delve deep into Sarah's expertise and the invaluable human element she brings to the table.