Future-Focused with Christopher Lind Christopher Lind
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- Technology
Join Christopher as he navigates the diverse intersection of business, technology, and the human experience. And, to be clear, the purpose isn’t just to explore technologies but to unravel the profound ways these tech advancements are reshaping our lives, work, and interactions.
We’ll dive into the heart of digital transformation, the human side of tech evolution, and the synchronization that drives innovation and business success.
These conversations are designed to illuminate how you can harness the changes to stay adaptive, informed, and ahead of the curve, helping you decode the future.
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Weekly Update | Mind-Control Chess | Pay Transparency Backlash | Deathbot Research Learnings
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 -
The Art of Digital Storytelling: Building Trust in the Age of AI with Zenobia Godschalk
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 -
Weekly Update | Video Call Gaff | Chip Wars | Apple AI | YouTube AI Tagging | Humanoid Robots | Remote Work
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 -
Nurturing Skills in the Modern Workplace: The Journey to Professional Mastery with Nick DeWilde
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 -
Weekly Update | End of Remote Work? | GenZ and Millenial Loyalty | AI vs. Law | AI Resurrection | LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report
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 -
Making Sense of the Tech Tangle: Strategies for Managing Digital Overload with Andrej Safundzic
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: