Future-Focused with Christopher Lind

March is in the rearview mirror and April is officially here. While some of this week's updates may sound like April Fool's topics, I promise they aren't. It's another wild and unpredictable week at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience. As always, thanks to all of you who sent along links and topics. I wish I had enough time to cover them all. And, without further ado, here's what's top of mind this first week of April. $100B Stargate AGI - Can we stop with the sci-fi apocalyptic terminology already? It's not helping ease people's nerves. That said, Microsoft and OpenAI are aligned to spend an estimated 100 Billion dollars to build the data center required to continue the AGI race. People thought Sam Altman was nuts when he predicted $3 Trillion to see it all through. Not so crazy anymore, huh? Death of DEI? - University of Florida made lots of headlines for their decision to eliminate DEI positions and appointments, and it's another trend I'm seeing where we seem to be going backwards. That said, I think there's more to the story and because I don't have all the details on the "why" and "what's next," my reaction is nuanced and complicated, as it so often is. TikTok Troubles - "Because.....because....China!" isn't a terribly convincing argument for why we should be banning one of the top social media platforms from the US. It also doesn't help when companies doing the exact same thing are conveniently lining up behind the witch hunt. That said, I have some legitimate concerns as should you, but it's not limited to the Tok. GenZ Mental Health Bots - I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry that one of the growing attempts to solve the mental health crisis, largely exacerbated by technology, is more technology. And look, I'm not saying there's zero potential, but unless our goal is more mental health issues and greater emotional fragility, a chatbot may not be the wisest go-to solution. Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:42 - $100B Stargate AGI 9:03 - Death of DEI 19:00 - TikTok Troubles 27:19 - AI Chatbots for Mental Health

Can leaders truly balance the drive for high performance with the human need for purpose and connection in the workplace? This week I'm talking with Nick Hobson, a PhD and Managing Director of North America for Influence at Work. We delve into the intricacies of behavioral science and its practical applications in the workplace. It's a discussion on the evolution of work and the human desire for purpose, autonomy, and collaboration, a deep dive into understanding human behavior and motivation. A key theme is the research and science behind paradoxical leadership, balancing people and performance, and the necessity of self-awareness and reflection for leaders. This puts to bed the false dichotomy between focusing on people or performance, advocating for a both-and approach to leadership. Our conversation also touches on the research-backed benefits of diverse and inclusive teams, the power of pausing to gain perspective, and the potential of experimentation within organizations. This conversation will be valuable for any leader seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce balancing both satisfaction and productivity. Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction 14:37 - Rise of Behavioral Science 19:12 - Evolution of Work & Human Behavior 27:12 - False Dichotomy of Performance & People 34:16 - Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivators 45:21 - Balancing Performance & People 52:04 - The Power of Pause 1:04:09 - Importance of Experimentation

Dropping this week's update a day early, but that's not due to a lack of content. In fact, there was so much to say on this week's updates that I pushed a couple to next week. As always, thanks to those of you who pass things along. I sincerely appreciate hearing from you. And with that, here are some of the latest happenings at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience. Nueralink Patient Plays Chess - "The Force" is no longer limited to Obi Wan and Luke, which may be a little terrifying when considering what happened when it was used by the Dark Lord. Jokes aside, there continues to be exponential progress with the merging of humans and machines, but what are we not considering? Pay Transparency Backlash - Mandating pay ranges be made publically available. What could possibly go wrong? I guess it depends on your definition of "going wrong," but let's just say there's no shortage of chaos recently. It's a complicated situation and unfortunately oversimplified solutions rarely work well for the complex. Deathbot Research Findings - Grief isn't easy to deal with, so maybe throwing AI at it will fix it? The research is coming out, and it's not looking good for AI. However, I anticipate that won't stop the exponential growth of an industry built around leveraging technology to deal with grief. Perhaps we consider a more robust solution. Show Notes: 0:00 - Introduction 2:07 - Mind-Control Chess 14:15 - Pay Transparency Chaos 27:36 - Deathbot Research Findings

How do you influence others in the digital age, especially when there is so much noise and distrust? This week I'm exploring that question and more with Zenobia Godschalk, Head of Communications at Hedera. Together we explore the critical role storytelling plays in technology and everyday life. You'll learn why conveying the 'why' behind the tech is as important as the 'what,' especially in an era where trust in digital narratives is paramount. With a unique background, Zenobia shares how her start as an aspiring journalist to tech communications expert, has highlighted the need for simplicity and human connection in tech storytelling. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of establishing credibility and trust in a landscape where technology can fabricate extremely convincing falsehoods. All this emphasizing the importance of integrity in storytelling and the responsibility of both storytellers and consumers in discerning truth. Whether you're a storyteller or story consumer, you'll want to check it out. Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction 2:07 - Zenobia's Story 12:12 - Evolution of Tech Storytelling 21:21 - Role of Simplicity in Storytelling 27:43 - Building Trust through Authenticity 43:00 - The Power of Humanity in Storytelling 47:59 - Advice for Story Consumers 59:24 - Conclusion

It's been another wild week at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. While the headlines tell one story, the story under the surface seems to give indications of where things are heading. Needless to say, 2024 is on track to be a year to remember. Thanks to those of you who shared things. Always enjoy connecting with the community. Video Call Gaff - It's disruptive when tech tools roll out an update and you discover it at an unfortunate time. Apple is catching some major flack because of its OS update, which was designed to humanize video calls. Candidly, I think we'd all benefit from lightening up. Life is too short. Chip Wars - I'm not talking about a summer picnic gone wild. There is an arms war with AI chipsets, and there are a lot of folks determined to make sure we don't hit another tech winter. Nvidia famously made headlines this week with Blackwell, but they're not the only player making waves. The government is looking to give Intel a boost. Apple AI - Almost as headline-worthy as Jim and Pam finally getting together, Apple and Google made headlines by possibly teaming up to bring GenAI to the iPhone. However, there's a lot more to the Apple AI story than meets the eye, and I predict it's an indication of where AI is going. YouTube AI Tagging - The honor system has a place, but I'm not sure keeping people informed about AI-generated content is that place. That said, YouTube requiring creators to tag any content that incorporates AI-generated video is a start toward greater transparency. Humanoid Robots - The Jetsons had Rosie in 2062, but we may not have to wait that long. The race for humanoid robots continues and the progress in 2024 alone is mindblowing. If you're working at Mercedes, you may even be able to sneak a selfie in on the shop floor. Remote Work - Another disappointing week of backwards progress in the remote work world with Dell dropping a bomb that very well could land them in court. However, Tom Hunt is bucking the trend and letting his teams know he trusts them. Show Notes: 0:00 - Introduction 2:28 - Video Call Gaff 6:07 - Chip Wars 14:38 - Apple AI 23:29 - YouTube AI Tagging 27:34 - Humanoid Robots 35:09 - Remote Work

Feeling like the world of work is spinning faster than you can keep up? You're not alone. This week I'm cutting through the noise with Nick DeWilde, Co-Founder of Exec, to talk about what it really takes to keep your skills game strong in today's whirlwind of change. I really appreciated his experience in the trenches, from scrappy startups to shaping the future of skill development. Together we cut straight to the point on the skills that matter most, how to learn them, and why being human is your trump card in a digital-first world. We also explore the real deal on adapting, growing, and staying ahead without the buzzwords or the fluff. Whether you're leading the charge or charting your course, I hope this conversation helps you make sense of the madness and come out on top. Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction 10:30 - From Institutionalized Learning to Practical Skill Development 17:55 - The Role of Human-Centered Skills 25:20 - Personalization in Learning 32:10 - The Role of Technology 39:45 - Identifying and Developing Durable Skills 47:30 - The Evolving Role of Coaches 54:20 - Closing Thoughts

Congrats on making it through another week. Is it just me, or does that feel like an accomplishment by itself? To celebrate, I've got another round of updates on what's been happening at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. As always, thanks to everyone who has contributed to the running list. And with that, here we go! End of Remote Work? - Opening this week's on a spicy note. This one continues to leave me shaking my head. Despite the overwhelming data, many executive leaders seem set on forcing their employees into their familiar box. Check out why this one in particular gets me feisty. GenZ & Millenial Loyalty - There's a rise in commentary discussing the dwindling loyalty of GenZ and Millenial employees, but they conveniently fail to tell the whole story. While it drives clicks and soothes execs struggling with dismal retention, I'd encourage people to considering the bigger picture. AI vs. The Law - While tragic, it's not completely surprising to see an exponential rise in teens abusing AI to bully their peers. Kids do stupid stuff and often fail to consider the implications. Unfortunately, the lack of legal accountability seems to only be making matters worse. AI Resurrection - If you could bring back a dead loved one with AI, would you do it? It may sound like science fiction, but there's a growing number of people who are going for it. I've got all sorts of mixed feelings here. LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report - When the largest professional social platform in the world reports its findings on what's happening, it's worth paying attention. This week, LinkedIn reported its latest findings on what's happening in employee skill development, and it has implications for business leaders, learning professionals, and employees alike. Show Notes: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - End of Remote Work? 8:26 - GenZ & Millenial Loyalty 15:33 - AI vs. The Law 21:50 - AI Resurrection 29:00 - LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report

In a world where the constant buzz of technology can overwhelm all our senses, how do we find clarity amid the chaos? This week, I unpacked this question and more with Andrej Safundzic, Founder & CEO of Lumos. Together, we explored the jungle of digital overload, sharing stories, insights, and strategies to navigate through. Andrej brought his unique journey from edtech in East Africa to shaping the future of govtech, highlighting the transformative power of technology when harnessed correctly. We also discussed the evolving landscape of IT, which has interesting connections to every professional role. This led to our focus on the critical role of adaptability in today's fast-paced world and how AI can be a tool for empowerment rather than a source of distraction. Curious how you can turn the tide of tech overload into a force for positive change in your life? Check it out! Show Notes: 00:00 - The Digital Deluge 06:45 - Charting the Course 12:30 - Philosophy of Risk 19:20 - The IT Evolution 27:50 - Adapting to Change 34:40 - AI as a Catalyst 42:15 - Overcoming App Overload 49:30 - Empowerment Through Technology 56:00 - Looking Ahead:

Another wild week of change at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. This week has brought with it a number of new developments and changes that have a lot more to them than meets the eye. Also, thanks to all of you who have sent things along to keep my agenda relevant to you. Always appreciate the engagement. McDonald's Deepfake - A classic 80's dude smoking a cigarette while pounding a quarter-pounder may seem harmless enough, but the flurry of noise it created begs a deeper question. When does AI fabrication cross the line from harmless fun to harmful misinformation? Anthropic Claude 3 - Will our AI subscriptions soon look like our streaming subs? The GenAI wars are in full swing as Anthropic drops their latest release, crushing the benchmarks of their competition. Should everyone jump on the bandwagon or will this become another Apple vs. Android / AMD vs. Nvidia debate. Time will tell. AI Cracks Fusion - This update should light up your day, figuratively and possibly literally. AI has been trained to solve a huge problem in fusion power, tearing mode instabilities. Now, that may not mean much to you but it's an interesting development in both the clean energy and AI discussion. Chief Ethics Officer - As if companies don't have enough C-suite execs, will 2024 be the year of the CEO2? While there's definitely value in a greater focus on ethics and morals as we move into an AI-drive world, is a new top exec at the table the right move? Maybe, maybe not. AI > Humans - AI is more creative than humans, according to the University of Arkansas. Before you throw in the towel and prepare to submit to your machine overlords, you may want to read the fine print. While AI may have crushed it competition in some specific ways, that shouldn't be surprising and it doesn't mean AI beats humans in a head-to-head showdown....at least not yet. Show Notes: 0:00 - Introduction 1:25 - McDonald's Deepfake 7:05 - Anthropic Claude 3 13:35 - AI Cracks Fusion Problem 18:44 - Chief Ethics Officer 24:32 - Humans vs. AI

Is sustainability the secret sauce to outperforming your rivals in business, or are we trapped by our narrow definition of what it really means? This week I'm talking with Ricky Marton, Founder of Koru, to clearly define what sustainability means and debunk the myths that often leave people seeing it as a nice-to-have. And, we don't just talk; we reimagine the whole spectrum of sustainability. As you'd expect, we talk about the role tech plays in sustainability and how it has the potential push your business not just towards a better future but also into a realm of innovation and efficiency like never before. However, getting it right means more than seeing tech as an easy button to a complex problem. While there are no shortage of hurdles, we explore how looking beyond the conventional boundaries and challenges of sustainability can be the competitive edge you never knew you needed. Ready to turn what you thought you knew about sustainability on its head? Let's go! Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction to Sustainability and Technology 11:35 - Demystifying Sustainability 22:50 - The Intersection of Technology and Sustainable Business Practices 34:20 - Overcoming Misconceptions and Practical Steps Forward 45:40 - Technology as a Force for Sustainable Innovation 57:10 - Looking Ahead: The Future of Business and Sustainability 1:02:30 - Closing Reflections and Call to Action