AI, Google Docs, and the messiness of innovation, with Microsoft Deputy CTO Sam Schillace
Nov 30, 2024
auto_awesome
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.
Sam Schillace emphasizes the importance of cultivating an optimistic mindset in innovation to inspire creativity and tackle complex problems.
The discussion highlights how social media influences young innovators, creating unrealistic expectations that hinder willingness to engage in messy experimental processes.
Deep dives
Rethinking Mindsets in Technology
The conversation emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset when approaching new technologies. The speaker argues that a pessimistic outlook, common among engineers, serves little purpose and instead encourages an optimistic approach to innovation. This is encapsulated in the idea of focusing on 'what if' questions rather than 'why not' challenges, which can help inspire creativity and forward-thinking solutions. By fostering a more positive outlook, individuals can more effectively embrace the potential of emerging technologies and their applications.
The Impact of Social Media on Innovation
The influence of social media on the younger generation's willingness to experiment and innovate is explored. The curated nature of social media can lead to unrealistic expectations, where individuals often only see success stories and not the failures that typically accompany innovation. This selection bias creates a reluctance to engage in the messy processes inherent to entrepreneurship, as young innovators may feel pressured to achieve immediate success. Recognizing that most successful innovations arise from experimentation and iterative processes is essential for overcoming these barriers.
Lessons from the Development of Google Docs
The development story of Google Docs offers valuable insights into the nature of innovation and collaboration. Initially met with skepticism due to technical challenges, the project grew from a simple prototype into a widely used product through experimentation and adaptation. Overcoming obstacles related to collaboration tools revealed that the most valuable ideas often lie beyond the easy or obvious solutions, requiring a willingness to tackle complex problems. This journey serves as a reminder that significant advancements often result from navigating uncertainty and pushing through difficult phases.
The Future of AI Applications
The future landscape of AI is expected to prioritize applications and user experiences over the underlying models themselves. While advancements in AI technology are inevitable, the initial focus will likely be on optimizing how users interact with these models and addressing specific needs within various domains. A call to action encourages innovators to rethink existing problems and adapt solutions to be AI-native, moving beyond traditional approaches. This shift is anticipated to spur new opportunities and tools that harness AI's potential in creative and effective ways.
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, our guest is Sam Schillace, a deputy CTO at Microsoft and author of the new book, "No Prize for Pessimism," the first title from Microsoft's new publishing imprint, 8080 Books. Schillace discusses the importance of optimism in innovation, drawing parallels between the early cloud era and the current AI revolution. He also shares his past experiences as one of the creators of Google Docs, and emphasizes the value of tackling difficult, non-obvious problems.