Riding the wave of technology disruption and AI with Tom Goodwin
Jan 30, 2025
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Tom Goodwin, a prominent thought leader in digital transformation and author of "Digital Darwinism," joins the discussion on navigating technology disruption. He emphasizes that tech isn't changing the world as dramatically as perceived, urging a re-evaluation of our AI approaches. Tom highlights the importance of time for innovation and the lessons from stories like Netflix versus Blockbuster. His refreshing insights advocate for curiosity and empathy in tech engagement, empowering businesses to adapt creatively to ongoing disruptions.
Technology's impact on our lives is often overstated, as many people still engage with familiar tasks and environments.
Understanding technological change involves three phases: introduction, chaos, and broader innovation that organizations must navigate.
A nuanced approach to AI is crucial, encouraging leaders to experiment beyond mere automation and to understand its varied applications.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Show's Concept
The podcast introduces a unique format that focuses on bringing real practitioners instead of thought leaders to share their experiences and insights. It emphasizes practical wisdom over theoretical discussions, aiming to help listeners unleash their potential through tangible stories and pragmatic tips. Each episode is structured into three chapters, where an expert discusses their core specialties, providing both theoretical context and practical takeaways. This approach invites the audience to actively engage with the material, encouraging exploration beyond conventional frameworks.
Understanding Personal Work Styles
The discussion explores the importance of understanding individual work styles through the concept of a 'user manual' for team members. Participants share three crucial aspects about themselves that influence their working dynamics, fostering transparency and collaboration. One expert reveals his introverted nature, highlighting the potential misunderstandings that can arise from perceived arrogance due to his reserved demeanor. This exchange underscores how acknowledging personal traits can enhance teamwork and improve interactions within professional settings.
The Illusion of Constant Change
The podcast addresses the prevalent belief that technology is rapidly changing the world, suggesting that this narrative often overlooks the enduring aspects of everyday life. It argues that while there are numerous advancements, many people still engage with the same fundamental tasks and environments as before, pointing out that significant change is often overstated. Personal anecdotes illustrate this, such as modern conveniences that still mirror practices from decades ago, indicating a slower pace of change in many industries. This perspective encourages a more context-driven understanding of technological evolution, allowing for a grounded view of progress.
Phases of Technological Integration
The conversation outlines a framework for understanding technological change, which consists of three main phases: introduction, chaos, and broader innovation. Initially, new technologies tend to integrate into existing systems without fundamentally altering business models, leading to a state of confusion. Over time, as familiarity grows, organizations start to rethink how they can fully leverage these advancements to create novel solutions. Acknowledging these phases allows leaders to better navigate adoption processes and anticipate the challenges that come with technological disruption.
Rethinking AI in Business Contexts
The podcast examines the complexities of AI, emphasizing that the term itself can be vague and encompasses various technologies and applications. It advocates for a nuanced discussion about AI's role in business, addressing its potential to automate tasks and generate insights while cautioning against simplistic views on its impact. Leaders are encouraged to experiment with AI tools and understand their capabilities, rather than relying on AI as a catch-all solution. Ultimately, the conversation calls for a balance between innovation and a grounded approach to integrating AI into existing processes, fostering curiosity and practicality.
A prominent thought leader, author, and influencer in the fields of digital transformation and tech, Tom Goodwin helps organizations reshape how they work. The founder of AWHIN, Inc. (All We Have Is Now), Tom consults with the Fortune 500 to help them unleash the power of new technology, focusing on making more customer-centric products and services. In addition to his consulting, Tom is the author of the book Digital Darwinism, a featured writer for publications like The New York Times and The Economist, and is host of the original Euronews TV series “The Edge.” Oh, and did we mention that Tom has over 700,000 followers on LinkedIn and has been named the #1 Voice in Marketing? Needless to say, Tom’s influence spans the world.
During this episode of "Experts Unleashed," Atlassian's Dom Price chats with Tom about how tech is not changing the world as much as we think, the lifecycle of technology disruption, and why we need to rethink our approach to AI. They discuss the lack of disruption stories today (think of Netflix and Blockbuster), the power of carving out time to become more innovative, and ways to become more comfortable with AI. Tom’s down-to-earth approach to tech disruption and how we can apply it is refreshing in a tech-obsessed world.
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