Amplifying Cognition

Ross Dawson
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Amplifying Cognition

Leading futurist and entrepreneur Ross Dawson speaks to the world’s best at creating value from infinite information. His guests share the insights and practices that will help you to thrive in a rapidly accelerating world.

  1. Helen Lee Kupp on redesigning work, enabling expression, creative constraints, and women defining AI (AC Ep78)

    3 DAYS AGO

    Helen Lee Kupp on redesigning work, enabling expression, creative constraints, and women defining AI (AC Ep78)

    Ross Dawson and Helen Lee Kupp explore the evolving relationship between humans and AI, emphasizing how technology can augment creativity, collaboration, and productivity in the workplace. Helen shares her cautious optimism about AI’s role in reshaping work, drawing from her background in flexible work research. She highlights the importance of personalizing work environments to accommodate different styles and preferences rather than enforcing rigid structures. The conversation delves into how AI can help individuals move beyond efficiency to explore new possibilities, enabling organizations to foster innovation by empowering employees to experiment and share insights. They also discuss the role of diversity in AI, particularly through Helen’s initiative, Women Defining AI, which supports women in navigating AI adoption and policy-making. She stresses the need for diverse voices to identify biases and shape the responsible use of AI before it becomes seamlessly embedded in everyday technology. Looking ahead, Helen shares her excitement for the future, both personally—expecting her third child—and professionally, as her community shifts toward publicly sharing AI-driven projects and insights to inspire a new generation of technologists.

    35 min
  2. Human AI Symbiosis Compilation (AC Ep77)

    12 FEB

    Human AI Symbiosis Compilation (AC Ep77)

    As AI continues to evolve, its relationship with humans is becoming more complex—shifting from a background tool to an interactive, almost social entity. In this episode, Alexandra Diening explores the concept of human-AI symbiosis, emphasizing that AI can either be mutualistic, benefiting both parties, or parasitic, harming humans while optimizing for efficiency. She highlights the growing importance of responsible AI deployment, advocating for frameworks that ensure AI enhances human skills rather than diminishing them. Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi expands on this idea by distinguishing between automation and augmentation, explaining that while AI can handle structured, data-driven tasks, human intuition remains irreplaceable in high-stakes decision-making and exception handling. Futurist Erica Orange introduces the idea of lifelong forgetting—the need to unlearn outdated thinking to adapt to AI's rapid advancements. She encourages shifting away from the "us vs. them" mindset and embracing a future of co-evolution between humans and technology. Pedro Uria Recio takes this a step further, predicting a future where AI and humans become deeply interwoven, potentially transforming humanity itself through brain-computer interfaces and AI-driven medical advancements. As AI reshapes industries, societies, and even human cognition, this episode provides a thought-provoking discussion on how to steer AI toward a constructive, symbiotic future rather than an exploitative one.

    26 min
  3. Rita McGrath on inflection points, AI-enhanced strategy, memories of the future, and the future of professional services

    5 FEB

    Rita McGrath on inflection points, AI-enhanced strategy, memories of the future, and the future of professional services

    In this engaging discussion, futurist Ross Dawson and renowned strategy expert Rita McGrath explore the accelerating pace of change in business and the evolving nature of competitive advantage. McGrath reflects on how many of her ideas, such as transient advantage, have become even more relevant over time, particularly as businesses face shorter cycles of strategic opportunity. She explains how inflection points—moments of dramatic industry shifts—have historically reshaped economies and are now being driven by digitalization and AI. They discuss how AI's exponential growth is fundamentally altering decision-making, allowing businesses to detect weak signals and process vast amounts of data in ways that humans alone cannot. The conversation delves into sense-making and strategic thinking in the AI era, emphasizing the need for leaders to complement human creativity with AI’s analytical power. McGrath highlights how AI can surface unexpected correlations—such as the surprising decline in gum sales linked to smartphone usage—illustrating how digital trends subtly transform industries. They also discuss business model innovation, the changing role of consultants, and how companies must adapt to a gig-based, rapidly shifting workforce. McGrath shares insights on the future of work, the importance of continuous learning, and the evolving relationship between business and government in shaping economic prosperity. The episode offers a compelling look at the strategies leaders need to thrive in an era of accelerating change.

    33 min
  4. Christian Stadler on AI in strategy, open strategy, AI in the boardroom, and capabilities for strategy

    29 JAN

    Christian Stadler on AI in strategy, open strategy, AI in the boardroom, and capabilities for strategy

    In this episode, Ross Dawson interviews Christian Stadler to explore the intersection of AI and strategic decision-making. Christian, an advocate for open strategy, discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as valuable partners in the strategy-making process. By assisting with ideation, fine-tuning, and implementation, AI provides fresh perspectives, facilitates scenario planning, and supports the formulation of actionable strategies. Christian highlights examples where AI has been used to disrupt traditional boardroom processes, fostering deeper discussions and uncovering new insights. He emphasizes that while AI can augment human intelligence, its true value lies in being guided by human strategists who provide context and direction. The conversation also delves into the concept of open strategy, where organizations engage a broader range of voices—both internal and external—in shaping their strategies. Christian explains how involving more people not only generates innovative ideas but also improves execution by fostering buy-in and alignment. The discussion touches on the challenges of integrating AI into strategic processes, the political dynamics affecting leadership, and the importance of engaging and retaining talent in an era of rapid change. This episode provides a compelling look at how leaders can navigate a world shaped by accelerating technological and societal shifts.

    34 min
  5. Valentina Contini on AI in innovation, multi-potentiality, AI-augmented foresight, and personas from the future

    18/12/2024

    Valentina Contini on AI in innovation, multi-potentiality, AI-augmented foresight, and personas from the future

    In this insightful episode, Ross Dawson speaks with Valentina Contini, a self-described "professional black sheep," about her journey as an innovation strategist and AI-augmented human. Valentina shares how AI tools are transforming creativity, foresight, and productivity, empowering individuals to bridge the gap between their ideas and reality. From automating mundane tasks to generating future scenarios and visualizations, she highlights how AI serves as a powerful sparring partner for creativity and critical thinking. Valentina also explores the broader potential of AI to amplify human cognition, particularly through brain-computer interfaces, digital twins, and immersive foresight processes. She emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and education in steering technology toward a positive future. This episode inspires listeners to embrace emerging tools, unlock hidden potential, and redefine what’s possible in both work and life.

    35 min
  6. Anthea Roberts on dragonfly thinking, integrating multiple perspectives, human-AI metacognition, and cognitive renaissance

    11/12/2024

    Anthea Roberts on dragonfly thinking, integrating multiple perspectives, human-AI metacognition, and cognitive renaissance

    In this podcast episode, Anthea Roberts, professor and founder of Dragonfly Thinking, joins Ross Dawson to discuss how structured analytic techniques and AI can transform how we approach complex, evolving problems. Anthea shares her unconventional journey from international law and global governance to launching a tech startup. Inspired by the dragonfly's multifaceted vision, Dragonfly Thinking leverages AI to help humans see problems through multiple lenses, integrate diverse perspectives, and stress-test decisions—essential qualities for navigating uncertainty and ambiguity. The conversation explores the evolving relationship between human cognition and AI, emphasizing the shift in roles from primary generators to directors, editors, and collaborators. Anthea highlights the importance of metacognition—knowing when humans or AI perform better—and the potential of AI to manage cognitive complexity beyond human limits. They discuss applications ranging from policymaking and strategy to personal decisions and address challenges like cultural biases in AI models. Both Ross and Anthea agree: the intersection of AI and human cognition marks a profound and exciting transformation, offering immense opportunities alongside its challenges.

    34 min
  7. Kevin Eikenberry on flexible leadership, both/and thinking, flexor spectrums, and skills for flexibility

    04/12/2024

    Kevin Eikenberry on flexible leadership, both/and thinking, flexor spectrums, and skills for flexibility

    In this insightful podcast episode, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry joins Ross Dawson to discuss the core principles of Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. Kevin emphasizes the importance of adaptability in leadership, moving beyond fixed styles or labels. He explains the concept of "flexors"—spectrums of leadership approaches, such as compliance vs. commitment or asking vs. telling—where leaders must find the right balance depending on the context. Drawing from real-world examples, Kevin illustrates how leaders can assess situations effectively, embrace "both/and thinking," and shift their strategies to achieve the best outcomes for their teams and organizations. The conversation also delves into the critical role of sense-making in leadership, using frameworks like David Snowden’s Cynefin model to understand and adapt to complex or chaotic situations. Kevin highlights the importance of habits, reflection, and mental fitness in developing leadership flexibility. By cultivating intentionality and pausing to evaluate context, leaders can build confidence and resilience. Kevin’s insights provide a practical roadmap for navigating uncertainty while fostering stronger teams and achieving organizational goals.

    35 min
  8. Alexandra Diening on Human-AI Symbiosis, cyberpsychology, human-centricity, and organizational leadership in AI

    27/11/2024

    Alexandra Diening on Human-AI Symbiosis, cyberpsychology, human-centricity, and organizational leadership in AI

    In this insightful podcast episode, Ross Dawson interviews Alexandra Diening, founder of the Human AI Symbiosis Alliance, to explore the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Alexandra shares her unique journey from neuroscience to AI, explaining how her background in cognitive sciences shaped her human-centric approach to AI deployment. She highlights the critical difference between traditional software and AI, emphasizing the need for new frameworks, education, and metrics to avoid creating "parasitic AI"—systems that harm individuals or organizations over time. Instead, Alexandra advocates for fostering mutualistic AI, where humans and AI coexist in a way that enhances both individual potential and organizational success. The discussion delves into the importance of literacy, ethical deployment, and real-world case studies to guide organizations in navigating the rapidly advancing AI landscape. Alexandra introduces A Strategy for Human AI Symbiosis, a practical guidebook offering actionable insights and lessons learned from industry leaders. She emphasizes the importance of balancing excitement and caution when adopting AI, urging leaders to focus on long-term impacts rather than short-term gains. With practical advice on education, expertise, and risk management, this episode provides a roadmap for businesses aiming to harness AI responsibly and effectively.

    35 min
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Leading futurist and entrepreneur Ross Dawson speaks to the world’s best at creating value from infinite information. His guests share the insights and practices that will help you to thrive in a rapidly accelerating world.

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