At a Glance

Thought Leader and Influencer Interview

Thinkers360 thought leader interviews profile prominent members of the Thinkers360 community who embody the power of ideas in their work. In this edition, we speak with Adriana Rivas, Chief Operating Officer, BIGWISE, AI Strategist, and retail technology executive.

Adriana has spent nearly two decades helping retailers modernize operations through self-service technologies, store automation, and artificial intelligence. Having led both software and hardware businesses, she combines operational experience with emerging technologies to help retailers solve practical challenges at scale.

Today, she oversees BIGWISE’s three business units—Stellar, Biwitech, and SLIVE.AI—while advising retailers on the implementation of AI-native operating models. Her work focuses on translating complex technologies into practical solutions that improve day-to-day retail operations across the United States and Latin America.

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Thinkers360: Tell us a bit about your background and areas of expertise.

AR: I joined BIGWISE back in 2007, taking on the role of accounting manager. At the time, retail technology was not really on my radar, but that soon changed. What really caught my attention was seeing how the right system, implemented on a store floor, could completely turn things around for a business, making it more efficient and effective. On the other hand, I also saw how the wrong system could quietly hold a business back, without anyone even realizing it. Fast forward eighteen years, and I ‘m now COO and AI Strategist but my approach to retail remains the same: I still think like an operator, always looking for ways to improve things from the ground up. As I navigated my career, I took the opportunity to establish Bewitch, a hardware division within BIGWISE that specializes in innovative solutions, including self-service kiosks, POS terminals, electronic shelf labels, and digital signage. Today, our products are deployed across the United States and Latin America, transforming the retail landscape. My area of expertise lies at the intersection of retail operations and emerging technology, with a focus on self-service deployment, store automation, and the practical application of agentic AI to real -world retail challenges, not just theoretical concepts. I ‘ve written extensively about my experiences in a book on self-service implementation, motivated by a desire to help retailers avoid common pitfalls I have seen repeated across the industry, despite its differences. By sharing my knowledge, I aim to make a positive impact on the retail sector and facilitate more effective adoption of emerging technologies.

Thinkers360: What are your current responsibilities and what does a typical day look like?

AR: As the Chief Operating Officer, I oversee the day-to-day operations of our three main brands: Stellar, our retail software; Biwitech, our hardware; and SLIVE.AI, our artificial intelligence-based retail operating system. My role as an AI Strategist means I’m right in the middle of where technology and customer needs meet. I take what’s technically possible and turn it into something actually useful for a store manager on a typical Tuesday afternoon. My days are never really the same. I might start by going over a plan with a large supermarket chain, then jump into a meeting about SLIVE.AI, which I helped launch and am still working to make successful. I could end the day talking about the future of agentic commerce. But no matter what I’m doing, it all comes back to the store floor. I always ask myself: Is this really making things better for the people who work there, or does it just sound good when we’re showing it off?

             Editor’s Note: See Adriana Rivas’s profile to work with her directly. 

Thinkers360:What’s your favorite part of your current role?

AR: What I really enjoy is when something we’ve created is actually working smoothly in a real store. It’s not about the big launch event, but about the everyday moment, like three weeks later, when things are running more efficiently. The line is moving faster, the numbers are looking better, and nobody’s even talking about the technology anymore because it’s just become a normal part of how the store operates. That’s the part that really gets me excited. What really matters to me is the people. You see, I’ve been with this company for a while, and I actually started out in accounting, so I have a bit of a soft spot for someone who’s really good at what they do, but just needs that one big break to take their career to the next level. For me, helping someone like that grow and develop is way more important than just about any other measure of success.

Thinkers360: How do you utilize Thinkers360?

Thinkers360: How do you like to work with brands who wish to engage you as a thought leader?

AR: I offer a unique perspective, one that comes from actually doing the job, not just selling a product. With my background in running large-scale retail technology, I’ve been through the ups and downs of implementing new systems, managing change, and dealing with the challenges that come after the initial excitement wears off. When a brand works with me, they get someone who has real-world experience, not just a sales pitch. I’ve lived through the tough parts, the parts that come after the press release, and I can share that knowledge with them. I partner with brands that crave meaningful content, whether it’s a keynote speech, a private consultation, a written article, or a straightforward assessment of the retail and AI landscape. I’m known for being blunt about what’s effective and what’s not, and I believe that’s exactly why my input is valuable. I’m not just looking to be a spokesperson; I want to bring a unique perspective that the audience can’t find elsewhere. My goal is to provide substance, not just spin. I think that’s what sets me apart and makes my engagement worthwhile.

Thinkers360: Agentic AI is everywhere in retail right now. From an operator’s seat, where is it actually delivering value today, and where is it still mostly hype? 

AR: Everyone wants to talk about autonomy, the store that runs itself. From where I sit, that part is still mostly hype. What is real, and already paying off, is narrower and far less glamorous. The value today lies in the decisions made thousands of times a day, and that used to depend on someone’s gut: when to replenish, how to price a slow mover, where shrinkage is quietly happening, which task an associate should pick up next. Agentic systems are good at continuously monitoring those patterns and acting within the guardrails a human set. With SLIVE.AI, the AI-native platform I helped bring to market and drive adoption, the wins are not about a robot replacing a manager. They are a manager who walks in already knowing what needs attention, because the system worked the problem overnight. The hype is the belief that you can hand the whole operation over and walk away. Retail is too physical and too human for that. The shelf is empty, the customer is frustrated, and the cashier called in sick. Agentic AI earns its place by removing repetitive judgment calls, so the people on the floor can focus on the moments that genuinely need a person. My advice to any retailer is simple: start where the decision is frequent, measurable, and low risk. Prove it there. Then expand. The ones chasing the autonomous store headline are usually the ones not yet getting value from the basics.

Thinkers360: What’s your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?

AR: Do not pretend to be something you’re not. If you want people to take you seriously, you need to have actually done the work. I am not talking about just having a fancy title or degree. I’m talking about real, hands-on experience. That’s where true credibility comes from. For me, it’s about the years I’ve spent doing the actual work, not just sitting in an office or talking about it. When you’ve been in the trenches, you earn the right to speak with authority. Anything less, and you’re just risking your reputation. Be precise about what is yours. Give credit clearly, describe your role accurately, and never inflate. In a field full of noise, the people who last are the ones whose claims hold up when someone checks. Pick the lane where you have real depth, and go narrow before you go wide. I would rather be the most useful voice in retail technology than a forgettable one across ten topics.

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