The tapestry of business evolution tells a remarkable story. From the onset of marketing in the 1950s to today, we’ve seen clear transformations. The early business landscape, dominated by the industrial revolution, prioritized mass production. Marketing during this era was essentially selling — creating a demand for what farms, factories, and mines produced.

As we moved further into the 20th century, we saw a seismic shift. Companies began to realize the importance of keeping the customer at the center of their universe. Thus, emerged an era of customer-centricity, where customer satisfaction became the lynchpin of successful businesses. 

Products were no longer simply created and sold; they were designed to meet customer needs and solve their problems. Companies strived to deliver superior value to customers, which they identified as a more sustainable source of competitive advantage than merely having cutting-edge product technology.

Now, as we stride towards another transformative phase in the 21st century, we are looking to bring together the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the human element — the very heart of business — through a powerful methodology known as Design Thinking.

The Advent of a People-Centric Business Age

Today’s business landscape is characterized by constant change. New technologies are emerging at an unprecedented pace, and businesses must adapt quickly to survive and thrive. One of these transformative technologies is cloud computing, which has made businesses more flexible and adaptable, allowing them to respond quickly to changes in the market.

However, amidst this tech-driven evolution, a new paradigm is emerging. It’s a shift from business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) models to a more human-centric model: People-to-People (P2P). 

This model places people — not merely as consumers, but as individuals with unique needs, desires, and values — at the core of business strategies. And at the heart of this paradigm is Design Thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving that nurtures a deeper connection with people.

Bridging Tech and Humanity Through Design Thinking

Design Thinking, with its foundation in empathy, can serve as a bridge between technology and humanity. It advocates a people-first approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding users’ experiences and emotions to provide meaningful solutions.

Design Thinking encourages businesses to dig deeper into the human condition, to understand not just what people need or want on a superficial level, but also their deepest desires and values. 

“Businesses that champion meaningful causes that align with deeply-seated human values don’t merely cultivate customers; they build robust communities that share a collective purpose.”

But in a world that’s becoming increasingly commoditized, businesses can lose their unique identities by attempting to cater to everyone. They risk becoming mere profit-churning entities, devoid of character and purpose. 

To cause meaningful disruption, businesses need to re-weave the human element back into their strategies, and leverage AI, refined by Design Thinking, to amplify their unique value proposition.

AI: The Compass to Navigating Deeper Connections

Let’s illustrate this with the example of a European company entering the U.S market with sustainable energy products. Their mission is not just to sell products, but to save the planet. 

This mission is underpinned by deeply held values such as respect for people, environmental consciousness, and a sense of moral responsibility to future generations.

AI can be a powerful tool in this context, but only when refined by Design Thinking principles. By processing and analyzing vast amounts of consumer data, AI can help the company identify and connect with people who share these values. These connections go beyond mere interest in sustainable energy, and instead, nurture a community of individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations.

Beyond Transactions: Crafting Experiences

When a business understands why it exists and the values that inspired its creation, it transcends the realm of mere transactions to craft meaningful experiences. 

AI, informed by Design Thinking, can be a potent tool in unlocking these experiences. By analyzing data about consumer behavior, AI can help businesses offer personalized, emotionally resonant experiences, creating a truly people-centric business culture.

This culture becomes the nucleus of a community of interest, engaging not just customers, but also employees, partners, vendors, investors, and other stakeholders. AI can serve as the manager of this community, predicting needs, personalizing interactions, and ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.

The Future: Blending People-Centricity and AI through Design Thinking

The future of work will undoubtedly be people-centric. To attract the right talent, businesses must be clear about their own values and how these values inspire them to do what they do every day. 

AI, informed by Design Thinking, can provide valuable insights into employee behavior, helping businesses shape a workplace environment that aligns with these values.

A people-centric approach to brand building, rooted in values and amplified by the power of AI, can yield a strategic competitive advantage that’s hard to replicate. 

AI, guided by Design Thinking principles, can ensure consistent delivery on these values, providing an unparalleled customer experience that sets businesses apart.

Conclusion: AI and Design Thinking Fueling the Heart of Business

In conclusion, the business model of the future will prioritize a people-focused approach, anchored by values that cultivate a lasting and fulfilling sense of community. 

AI, refined by Design Thinking, will enable businesses to better understand, serve, and connect with their communities. This model places people at the heart of business operations, using technology not as a replacement, but as a catalyst for deeper, more empathetic human connections. 

In this symphony of empathy, AI and Design Thinking will come together to fuel the heart of business, creating a harmony that resonates with the fundamental human desire to connect, belong, and contribute to a greater purpose.

The metaverse, a collective virtual shared space where the physical and the digital worlds converge, is an ever-evolving platform for interaction, collaboration, and exploration. Recently, Tullio Siragusa conducted an enlightening discussion with Diana Deca, the co-founder of Nü Robotic AI, about their project, MetaPilot.

MetaPilot: A Metaverse Project by Nü Robotic AI

Diana shared that MetaPilot is a highly ambitious gaming platform and research project that aims to create a truly immersive metaverse. Nü Robotic AI uses the MetaPilot platform as a comprehensive data collection tool where the players’ actions are analyzed to improve the algorithms of real-life flying vehicles.

Drawing Parallels with Tesla

Diana compared the MetaPilot project with Tesla’s approach to training their AI algorithms for autonomous vehicles. Similar to how Tesla utilizes sensor and location data from drivers to enhance its autonomous driving algorithms, MetaPilot utilizes player data to train their algorithms for flying vehicles. This iterative process of learning and improving is what pushes their system towards full autonomy, a goal that aligns with the principles of AI development.

Safety Concerns and Future Applications

When asked about safety, Diana highlighted their proactive collaboration with regulators like Boeing and NASA. The goal is to simulate hundreds of thousands of flights under different conditions to improve safety standards and prepare for unpredictable scenarios. Ultimately, the intention is not just to transform gaming experiences, but also to enhance space applications by preparing for different gravitational situations and other unknown elements.

An Engaging Gaming Experience and Its Dual Business Model

Beyond the high-tech applications and the potential to revolutionize flight simulations, MetaPilot is also an engaging game. It’s available to anyone with a computer or VR goggles, offering an exciting entry into the metaverse. The business model comprises a dual revenue stream: the gaming subscription model and providing valuable R&D input for commercial applications.

The Path to Future Air Travel and the Startup Journey

Nü Robotic AI’s ultimate vision is the seamless integration of the metaverse into real-world applications, particularly in air travel. Diana emphasized the company’s goal to incrementally introduce technology that would eventually lead to autonomous air taxis. As she described, the idea is to treat these air taxis as “slightly cooler helicopters,” gradually adding more advanced features, such as electric or hydrogen-based propulsion, AI systems for control, and ultimately, the capability for space travel.

Conclusion

Reflecting on her journey, Diana voiced the importance of humility and learning in the startup world. She praised the value of working with various groups and organizations, like NASA and Boeing, and highlighted the unique opportunities that arise from combining her background in neuroscience with the technology industry.

In summary, the Nü Robotic AI MetaPilot project exemplifies the convergence of the metaverse and the real world. It stands as a pioneering initiative, blending gaming and serious R&D, to shape the future of autonomous flying vehicles.

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Originally published at Tech Leaders Unplugged on May 23, 2023

Exciting advancements in Generative AI have opened new avenues for creativity and innovation. With the human factor at the helm, the possibilities are boundless.

The Tech Leaders Unplugged podcast recently interviewed Miguel Navarro, a seasoned digital leader and patented inventor, has been at the forefront of harnessing this potential as the SVP of Business Technology at KeyBank.

His vision and expertise have propelled the integration of Generative AI into KeyBank’s operations, revolutionizing customer experiences and streamlining processes. Navarro’s leadership exemplifies the transformative power of combining human ingenuity with cutting-edge technology.

Balancing Automation and Human Creativity

The topic of generative AI often sparks questions about how it impacts work, and the role humans play in the process. Can AI generate creativity? Can it help humans think outside the box?

The answer lies in finding a balance between automation and human creativity. While AI can handle repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, freeing up humans to focus on more creative aspects of their work, it is important to remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human skills. Human intuition, experience, and contextual understanding are vital in decision-making and creative processes.

Skill Augmentation: Leveraging AI for Enhanced Productivity

Generative AI has the potential to augment human skills, particularly in areas where precision, scalability, and speed are crucial. By leveraging AI tools, individuals and businesses can achieve greater productivity and efficiency.

AI can generate content, offer new perspectives, and break traditional rules and conventions, inspiring humans to think outside the box and push the boundaries of their creativity. However, it is important to note that AI outputs should be refined and validated by human judgment to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Human-Machine Collaboration

As AI continues to evolve, it is necessary for humans to adapt and evolve alongside it. The roles of labelers and prompters emerge as humans work hand in hand with AI to refine outputs and make informed decisions.

While there may be concerns about skill displacement, the focus should be on skill augmentation. Humans possess unique qualities such as intuition, empathy, and the ability to consider the impact on others, which are indispensable in the collaboration with AI.

Embracing the Potential of Generative AI

Generative AI holds tremendous potential to empower individuals and organizations. By embracing the synergy between humans and machines, we can unlock new possibilities, increase efficiency, and drive innovation.

The key lies in maintaining a balance between being data-driven and leveraging AI tools while tapping into human intuition and creativity. Through this collaboration, we can harness the full potential of generative AI while retaining the unique qualities that make us human.

In conclusion, the integration of generative AI into various industries offers exciting opportunities for growth and transformation. When combined with human ingenuity, AI becomes a powerful tool for enhancing productivity, fostering creativity, and streamlining processes.

By embracing this collaboration, we can shape a future where human potential is truly empowered, and meaningful contributions are made through the synergy of generative AI and human creativity.

The Future of Human-Machine Collaboration

Looking ahead, the future of human-machine collaboration holds immense promise. As AI technologies continue to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated tools that can generate content, provide insights, and assist in decision-making processes. However, it is essential to approach this future with a thoughtful and responsible mindset.

Ethical Considerations and Responsible AI Development

As we embrace the potential of generative AI, ethical considerations and responsible AI development should be at the forefront. It is crucial to ensure that AI systems are trained on unbiased and diverse datasets to avoid perpetuating existing biases and discrimination.

Transparency, accountability, and privacy must also be prioritized to build trust and protect user data. By adopting ethical practices, we can maximize the benefits of generative AI while minimizing potential risks.

Embracing Continuous Learning and Adaptation

The evolving landscape of AI requires a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. As AI technologies progress, humans must stay informed and up to date with the latest advancements.

Embracing a culture of learning and upskilling will empower individuals and organizations to effectively leverage generative AI and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Collaborative Innovation for a Better Future

Generative AI has the potential to drive collaborative innovation across industries. By fostering partnerships between AI experts, domain specialists, and creative thinkers, we can harness the collective expertise to tackle complex challenges and create impactful solutions.

Through collaboration, we can ensure that generative AI is applied in ways that benefit society, improving customer experiences, advancing research, and driving positive change.

The Journey Ahead

As we embark on this journey of empowering human potential through generative AI, it is crucial to remember that AI is a tool that complements and amplifies human capabilities.

The true power lies in the fusion of human creativity, intuition, and empathy with the capabilities of AI. By embracing this symbiotic relationship, we can shape a future where humans and machines work hand in hand, unleashing unprecedented levels of innovation, productivity, and growth.

Conclusion

The integration of generative AI opens a world of possibilities for human potential. By leveraging the strengths of both humans and machines, we can achieve remarkable feats and drive meaningful progress.

It is up to us to navigate this evolving landscape with responsibility, ethical considerations, and a commitment to continuous learning. By doing so, we can shape a future where generative AI empowers us to reach new heights and make a positive impact on the world.

Check out the video podcast about this blog by clicking here

In any company, it’s essential to have a guiding light, a North Star, that illuminates the path towards the goal. In the realm of technology, where rapid evolution is the norm, this becomes even more crucial. Braydan Young on “Tech Leaders Unplugged” podcast emphasizes how organizations can achieve success by setting their North Star and orienting all efforts towards reaching it.

For Young, the key metrics that define the North Star are churn, retention, and spend. These metrics, when controlled and optimized, can propel a company towards the zenith of success. The goal is to turn everyone’s attention to these figures and foster a collective obsession for them.

OKRs — The Pathway to the North Star

Objective and Key Results (OKRs) are a useful tool for navigating the path to the North Star. They provide a structured way to align everyone’s efforts in the same direction. However, Young admits, the process can be time-consuming, but the payoff is worth the investment.

Through OKRs, an organization can effectively chart its course, defining the objectives it wants to achieve (the North Star), and the key results that will indicate progress. If the company finds itself straying from these key metrics — churn, retention, and spend — it’s a signal to reassess and realign.

Agile Methodology and Transparency

The OKR system naturally aligns with agile methodology, a business approach characterized by iterative, incremental work cadences known as sprints. In this context, agility is not merely relegated to tech development but permeates the entire business. Yet, the introduction of agile may lead to initial pushback from some who could perceive it as micromanagement.

Addressing this concern requires a transparent conversation about why these strategies are necessary. Young emphasizes that joining a startup is not only about the excitement of building a company, but also about creating a long-lasting, potentially sellable, or publicly traded entity. To achieve this, a focus on key metrics, which are of prime interest to investors, is paramount.

Educating and Aligning the Team

A fundamental step in this process involves educating the team on why these metrics matter. For instance, understanding the Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) or the Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) is crucial when raising funds, as these are the first questions potential investors will ask.

Furthermore, it’s about connecting the dots between an individual’s work and the overarching company objectives. An engineer or a product person should understand how the features they’re building or the measures they’re implementing impact the company’s metrics, ultimately driving sales and success.

Leveling Up: From Departmental to Organizational Thinking

A significant paradigm shift is required in this process, where everyone in the organization needs to level up and think as businesspeople, not just departmental workers. This shift involves understanding the bigger picture and how individual contributions fit into it.

Supporting people through this transition can be challenging. As Young explains, much of it comes down to repetition in communication, especially in a world where remote work is becoming the norm. By consistently bringing it back to the key metrics in meetings and tying it to employee reviews and promotions, a culture of organizational thinking can be fostered.

The Journey to Thriving in the Market

In summary, the journey to success in any market, bear, or bull, requires a keen focus on serving the clients, understanding their needs, managing churn, and expanding the scope of opportunities. This involves focusing on repeatable actions that allow faster movement and creating alignment in the organization through radical transparency.

All these initiatives prompt a shift from “this is my lane” thinking to “how can I impact the organization” thinking. It’s a challenging yet rewarding transition that holds the potential to take a company from merely surviving to genuinely thriving in the market.

Conclusion

While it may seem like a daunting task, companies like Young’s are paving the way and showing that it’s not only possible but essential to achieving lasting success. It’s about setting the North Star, using OKRs to map the journey, and fostering transparency and business thinking at all levels of the organization. The magic enablement pill might not exist yet, but with determination, education, and a clear vision, the path to tech success is certainly within reach.

Check out the video podcast about this blog by clicking here

The search for cures to various diseases has been an ongoing process for centuries, with scientists and researchers tirelessly working to develop new medications and treatments. However, the traditional process of drug discovery is often slow, expensive, and fraught with failure.

Enter artificial intelligence (AI), a powerful tool that is revolutionizing the way we approach the development of cures. In this blog post, we will explore how AI is helping to find cures faster, the benefits it brings to the medical community, and the future of drug discovery.

The Traditional Drug Discovery Process

The traditional drug discovery process typically begins with the identification of a target protein or pathway that plays a crucial role in the development of a disease.

Researchers then screen thousands or even millions of compounds to identify potential drug candidates that can interact with the target.

Following this, extensive testing in preclinical models is performed to assess the safety and efficacy of the potential drug. If successful, the drug proceeds to clinical trials, which can take several years to complete.

Overall, the entire process from initial discovery to market approval can take over a decade and cost billions of dollars, with a high failure rate.

The Power of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery

AI has the potential to significantly accelerate the drug discovery process by automating and streamlining various steps. Here are some key areas where AI is making a difference:

Identifying potential drug targets: AI can analyze vast amounts of biological and medical data to identify potential drug targets more quickly and accurately than traditional methods. Machine learning algorithms can analyze patterns and relationships within complex biological systems, revealing potential targets that might have been overlooked.

Virtual screening: AI-powered algorithms can predict the interactions between potential drug candidates and target proteins with high accuracy, enabling the rapid screening of large compound libraries. This not only saves time and resources but also reduces the number of false positives that need to be further investigated.

Drug repurposing: AI can analyze existing drugs to find new uses for them, potentially speeding up the development of cures. By examining the molecular structure and properties of approved drugs, AI can identify potential new targets or indications, often with fewer side effects and lower development costs.

Predicting clinical trial outcomes: AI can analyze patient data from previous clinical trials to predict the likelihood of success for new trials. This can help researchers optimize trial design, reduce the number of required participants, and ultimately speed up the development of new drugs.

The Benefits of AI-driven Drug Discovery

The adoption of AI in drug discovery offers several benefits, including:

Faster discovery times: AI can process and analyze data much faster than humans, allowing researchers to identify potential drug targets and candidates more quickly. This can help to bring new cures to market faster, ultimately benefiting patients in need.

Cost savings: By streamlining the drug discovery process and reducing the number of false positives, AI can help to cut down on the overall costs associated with drug development. This can make it more feasible for smaller companies and academic institutions to pursue drug discovery projects.

Improved success rates: AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns can help researchers to select drug candidates with a higher likelihood of success, potentially reducing the high failure rates associated with traditional drug discovery methods.

The Future of Drug Discovery

While AI is already making a significant impact on the drug discovery process, the future holds even greater promise. As AI algorithms continue to improve and more data becomes available for analysis, the potential for discovering new cures will only increase.

Additionally, advances in AI-driven personalized medicine could help to tailor treatments to individual patients, further enhancing the effectiveness of new drugs.

Collaborative Efforts and Ethical Considerations

As AI continues to reshape the landscape of drug discovery, it is essential to promote collaboration between researchers, AI developers, and healthcare professionals to maximize the potential of these technologies. Sharing data, knowledge, and resources can help to drive innovation and ensure that the benefits of AI-driven drug discovery are accessible to all.

At the same time, it is crucial to address the ethical considerations that arise from the use of AI in drug discovery. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and intellectual property rights must be carefully navigated to ensure that the development and application of AI-driven cures are carried out responsibly and fairly.

Innovative Partnerships and Funding Models

The high costs associated with traditional drug discovery have often limited the ability of smaller companies and academic institutions to compete with large pharmaceutical companies.

However, AI-driven drug discovery has the potential to level the playing field, enabling smaller organizations to make meaningful contributions to the development of new cures.

Innovative partnerships and funding models, such as public-private partnerships and crowdsourcing, can help to facilitate these collaborations and ensure that a diverse range of organizations can participate in the drug discovery process.

Conclusion

AI has already begun to transform the way we search for cures, and its impact will only continue to grow as the technology advances.

By harnessing the power of AI to streamline the drug discovery process, we can accelerate the development of life-saving treatments and improve the lives of patients around the world.

Embracing this technology, fostering collaboration, and addressing the ethical considerations that arise will be essential to realizing the full potential of AI-driven drug discovery and ensuring that its benefits are accessible to all.