Uber CEO: 'We Depend on Engineers to Build Everything' - USC Viterbi

Uber’s Dara Khosrowshahi and USC Trustee Ron Sugar kicked off the new Ronald and Valerie Sugar Distinguished Speaker Series in Advanced Computing on October 22. Photo Credit: Cha Cha Studio

While mulling over the decision to take Uber’s top job back in 2017, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi became focused on one particular aspect.

“The challenge got me hooked,” Khosrowshahi shared with a USC Viterbi School of Engineering audience on October 22. “I knew the company played a big role in how people live their everyday lives and how cities will be shaped. It was a difficult opportunity to pass up.”

As the inaugural guest at the school’s Ronald and Valerie Sugar Distinguished Speaker Series in Advanced Computing, Khosrowshahi offered insights on leadership, innovation and navigating one of the most pivotal times in modern tech history.

This new distinguish speaker series is housed within the USC School of Advanced Computing (SAC), a new school and a unit within the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

The event marked the first gathering at the newly opened Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Human-Centered Computation Hall, bringing together 300 students, faculty, and staff, eager to hear from one of the most visionary leaders in the industry.

Inside Banerjee Mittal Auditorium, the packed audience heard Khosrowshahi’s stories of engineering and perseverance, as he recounted struggles and success stories at a company that has fundamentally changed the way we exist.

He was joined on stage by Ron Sugar, Uber’s board chairman and a USC Trustee, who established the event with his wife, Valerie. Sugar, a titan of industry known for leading companies like Northrop Grumman, Litton Industries and TRW, asked about one of Uber’s most remarkable achievements: its dramatic turnaround after once losing $7 billion annually.

From left: Dean Yannis Yortsos, Valerie Sugar, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Ron Sugar and USC School of Advanced Computing Director Gaurav Sukhatme. Photo Credit: Cha Cha Studio

At the heart of Uber’s transformation, he shared, was a culture shift — one focused on harnessing the power of lean, agile teams to spark innovation. “Engineering used to be about ‘how many are on my team’ and ‘bigger is better.’ We changed that culture. It’s not how big the team is – it’s what kind of impact can a smaller one have.”

And that impact is staggering, matched by incredible numbers – some of which Sugar highlighted: Uber operates in over 10,000 cities, facilitates 30 million rides or deliveries every hour, employs 6,000 engineers, and utilizes more drivers and couriers than the populations of Denmark and Singapore.

Yet, Khosrowshahi also recounted how things changed drastically during COVID-19. He explained how Uber adapted by shifting its focus to Uber Eats, providing a lifeline for drivers and restaurants. “We were starting to reach profitability. But then (ride-sharing) disappeared,” he explained. “But we got lucky — Uber Eats then took off. It helped keep drivers earning, it helped restaurants have a lifeline. I feel we were a great contribution during a difficult time. We came out of COVID a better company — now with two businesses.” And both, he said, are now of equal size.

The evening wasn’t just about numbers or corporate strategies. The night’s most relatable moment came when Khosrowshahi, formerly CEO of Expedia, offered timeless career advice to the aspiring engineers and leaders in the room, “Don’t be too structured about your career. That causes you to narrow the scope. I wanted to work with someone I could learn from, someone I liked, and someone who could help me have an impact. Those were the only things I worried about.”

When discussing the qualities necessary for his position, Khosrowshahi highlighted his engineering background as a key factor in his ability to “take complex issues and simplify them.” He emphasized, “That is incredibly important. Also, write well. A very important part of the job is communication, so do it with clarity.”

As the discussion drew to a close, both Khosrowshahi and Sugar encouraged students to approach them for further engagement and questions.

Gaurav Sukhatme, director of the USC School of Advanced Computing, captured the essence of Uber’s story when he introduced the speakers. “It is a success story that has transformed and traversed multiple fields: business, engineering, technology, customer service… you name it,” he said. “It has revolutionized our world while remaining incredibly personal in usage.”

For the students and faculty present, Khosrowshahi’s insights served as a powerful reminder: The future is built on the bold ideas of engineers, innovators and those unafraid to take on the greatest challenges of our time.