Stefan Smalla’s Post

I had the pleasure of facilitating a dynamic panel discussion recently! Delving deep into the intricacies of balancing risk with budget in today's ever-evolving economic landscape. Our conversation revolved around crucial topics such as the impact of AI on business risk, the role of the supply chain continues to be a key risk factor, and the imperative for IT to have a clear view of the enterprise's digital footprint. We navigated through a list of technology and business risks, pondering the outlook of economic change and even contemplating the possibility of another global pandemic. Amidst these uncertainties, one thing became abundantly clear: resilience is paramount. What does the future hold for AI? How will it shape industries in the coming years? While the specifics may be uncertain, one thing is for sure - AI's influence will only continue to grow, reshaping the way we do business. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to STRATEGIC INSIGHT for orchestrating yet another successful program. It was an honor to moderate such an insightful discussion, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in navigating the ever-changing landscape of risk and opportunity. #RiskManagement #EconomicOutlook #AI #SupplyChain #TechnologyRisk #BusinessStrategy #PanelDiscussion #StrategicInsight

In an era where AI revolutionises industries, this article delves into the profound impacts on organisation, culture, processes, technology, and the workforce. It’s pivotal for businesses to embrace a dynamic, adaptable model, fostering a mindset of continuous innovation and ethical responsibility. This shift isn't just technological but reimagines operational success. For millennials and Gen Z, understanding this transformation is crucial for navigating the future landscape of work and innovation. By reading the full article, you’ll gain insights into making AI work for you, ensuring a future where you're not just surviving but thriving. Navigate finances with ease: Prosper Pirates, your steadfast guide. #FinancialFreedom #ProsperPirates Stay ahead of the curve by subscribing to our newsletter at [email protected] and turn on website notifications.  Your engagement is vital for our community's growth and ensures you don’t miss out on free courses, books, tools, and podcasts designed to empower your financial journey. For the complete article, click here. Dive into a world where you’re equipped to face AI-driven changes with confidence, skill, and foresight. https://lnkd.in/gWWqApQf

𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬! I'm thrilled to announce that The AI Economy has just hit a major milestone: 1,000 subscribers! 🙌 Thank you for joining me on this journey to explore the artificial intelligence landscape and its impact on business, work, society and tech. Here's to many more insightful articles, interviews with industry leaders, and deep dives into the trends shaping the future! 🥂 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝? Perhaps you're working on an AI startup or have witnessed AI's transformative power firsthand. Maybe you have insights to share about how the technology is used. I want to hear about it! 👍 Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a direct message. And if you're not subscribed to The AI Economy, sign up today to avoid missing out on new issues delivered each week exclusively on LinkedIn. Subscribe on LinkedIn 👉 https://lnkd.in/g6QERP6u THANK YOU! ❤️

Creepy but interesting. If you cant see it you're not paying attention haha! ------------ I've been on this amazing journey of connecting with mentors, teammates, and industry leaders, and one thing's crystal clear: staying creative isn't just a choice; it's a necessity! Whether it's shaking things up at work, embracing new trends, or just mixing a bit of the unexpected into our daily grind, it's all about keeping that spark alive. You know, I like to think of it as adding a dash of Tajín instead of just plain old salt – it's all about that extra kick! And yes, while AI is fantastic and does some heavy lifting, we've got to keep injecting our human creativity to prevent things from getting stale. So here's to us – the innovators, the game-changers, and yes, the rule-breakers. Let's keep pushing boundaries, twisting the norm, and cooking up something no one's seen before. Much love to the AI helping us out, but hey, let's show 'em how it's done with a human touch. ------ In the end AI is getting there but it has too much of a Hallmark® touch or like... SuperBowl commercial feel to it. It's just boring. Let's get back to blowing stuff up and making it work in the weirdest way possible and not following the norm. My 2 pesos.

Unpopular opinion, at least amongst many business leaders and technologists? I think AI has tremendous potential and it’s disappointing to see many companies implementing this technology the same way they did Digital Transformation. The common thread: 1) Treating it as only a technology play (actions, not words, show what a company really values). 2) Massive investment without a strategy - chasing the new shiny thing. Early cost-cutting providing cover for the fact that real business value and the promise of the tech aren’t being realized. 3) People? One school of thought - We don’t need no stinkin’ people – or maybe just the ones to feed the machines. 4) Blaming employees for not eagerly adopting the tech when they haven’t been made aware, educated, or – stay with me here – had any say about what the problems are and what the solutions could be. 🧐  Do you see the similarities? That being said, I see vast potential in AI to help companies advance beyond human-only talent. But to undervalue, misallocate, and neglect our human talent? Big mistake. Let technology take over the grind and enable your employees to be their most creative, innovative and human selves. Your business will be better for it – in the short-term and long-term. I wrote more on this topic in We Are Mavens blog. 📣 Are you with me?  (echoing down through the LinkedIn feed....)

Dropping a new piece where I discuss a few key macro trends I've been seeing play out globally over the last few years that will accelerate. If you are a founder or an investor, this is going to affect how you think about where you spend the next decade. I broadly argue that: 1. We are coming to the end of the first golden age of SaaS. For most companies, the game is over. 2. We are coming out of what is the tail end of an OPEX driven "GTM centric" part of the innovation cycle of the internet and are now re-entering the CAPEX heavy "innovation centric" cycle of the AI era of the internet. 3. This new era will favor a specific type of asset class, and a very specific type of founder archetype. 4. This new asset class is currently in its 'extractive' phase and, as such, the investments that will accrue most value are likely ones that are extractive in nature. Mistiming this investment cycle is like investing in oil in the late 90s and then holding over the last 20yrs. 5. We will hit another AI winter next year but not due to technical roadblocks. The innovation seems to have hit escape velocity but needs more stability at the bottom layers for us to hit the 'distribution' phase of AI (which may take a few years). Link in the first comment:

Sometimes, being skeptical is good. That's why posts who cover this topic like Leila Hormozi really hit home. It makes us ask questions and not just accept things the way they are. In my work, bringing new tech to traditional businesses, asking "why?" or "what if?" has opened doors we never knew were there. I once looked into a business that sold egg cartons. Sounds simple, right? But by really digging into it due to skepticism for the business model, asking all the questions, we found there was more to it. This business wasn't just about eggs. It was about packaging for all sorts of things, even for big names like Boeing and SpaceX. Being skeptical made us see a bigger picture and a chance to grow. Here's what we learn from this: →  asking questions can lead us to new ideas and discoveries. →  not taking things at face value can help us make better choices. →  being skeptical can show us opportunities we might have missed. So, skepticism is natural when it comes to adopting anything new, especially something like AI. Get your staff to channel their skepticism in the right way to discover the best ways to move into the future.

A great perspective on the evolution of SaaS in the AI world. Recommend.

CEOs across an array of sectors gathered recently to discuss AI, geopolitical risks, high interest rates, sustainability, and other global disruptions to their business. My colleague David Michels breaks down six key trends top of mind for these executives in his latest Forbes blog. https://dy.si/RmssZ

💡 As the global economy focuses increasingly on sustainability, financial institutions play a pivotal role in driving positive change. Dive into Finastra’s new thought leadership series exploring the opportunity for #ESG and #AI. In the first article, Jamie Lait explores the unlimited potential offered by the combination of ESG and AI to drive the future of #sustainable financing. 👉 Read more: https://okt.to/GA4yIJ #FinastraLending #GenAI