GeekWire AI, Google Docs, and the messiness of innovation, with Microsoft Deputy CTO Sam Schillace
20 snips
Nov 30, 2024 
Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO at Microsoft and author of "No Prize for Pessimism," chats about optimism in tech innovation. He shares insights from his days creating Google Docs, emphasizing the need to tackle complex problems. Schillace discusses the shift from traditional programming to modern user-centric AI applications. He also reflects on the timing and strategies involved in selling his company to Google, revealing lessons in collaboration and the importance of embracing the messiness of the creative process.
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Optimism in Innovation
- Embrace optimism, even when pessimistic, as it fuels innovation.
- Ask "what if" instead of "why not" to overcome negativity and explore possibilities.
Social Media's Impact on Innovation
- Social media creates a selection bias, showcasing only successes, not struggles.
- This curated view discourages experimentation as failures feel more public.
James Dyson's Perseverance
- James Dyson's vacuum cleaner development involved 2,000 prototypes and financial struggles.
- This exemplifies the perseverance required for successful innovation.
