HBR IdeaCast

X’s Astro Teller on Managing Moonshot Innovation

Mar 28, 2023

Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X, leads innovation projects tackling global challenges like sustainability and technological advancements. He shares insights on embracing experimentation and the importance of managing risk in innovation. Key traits for moonshot teams include fearlessness and a growth mindset. Teller highlights how fostering a culture of creativity allows organizations to learn from failures and harness the power of generative AI to turn complex ideas into successful ventures.

28:20

Creator website

Episode guests

Astro Teller

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Identifying Real World Problems at X

01:05

Exciting Projects in Logistics and Laser Technology

00:53

Current State of Generative AI and its Future Opportunities

00:41

Intro

5min

De-risking Innovation Projects

7min

Cultivating Innovation: Key Traits and Management Styles for Moonshot Teams

4min

Cultivating Innovation in Organizations

13min

Conclusion and Call to Action for HBR IdeaCast

2min

How do you solve the world's toughest problems? Or find the next big thing in tech? Lots of organizations fail to explore and take big bets on new ideas because they can't tolerate the mess of experimentation and the fear of failure. At X, Alphabet's dedicated innovation factory, they don't have that problem, and Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X, can explain why. Undertaking projects on everything from rural communication to ocean health to machine learning, he and his teams operate with different creative mindsets and decision-making principles than many of us. He spoke with host Alison Beard at HBR at 100: Future of Business live virtual conference.

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