The Actionable Futurist® Podcast

In this episode, Andrew Grill welcomes back Chris Juneau from SAP Concur to discuss the latest findings from the 2025 CFO Insights report, “Action for Growth.” The conversation explores the evolving role of CFOs, the growing impact of AI and automation in finance, and the introduction of new agentic AI capabilities within SAP Concur's platform.Key Topics CoveredEvolution of CFO Mindset:The shift from “repositioning for growth” to “action for growth” reflects CFOs moving from reactive strategies to actively driving business expansion. Expanded Research Scope:This year's report surveyed not only 350 CFOs but also 115 HR and 150 IT leaders, providing a more holistic understanding of business pressures and cross-functional collaboration.Top Challenges for CFOs in 2025:Geopolitical tensions cited as the top external challenge by 37% of CFOs Concern over worsening economic conditions has declinedA dramatic rise in manual processes as a pain point AI's Transformational Role in Finance:Adoption of generative AI is now mission-critical for managing data overload and driving efficiency.AI is being used for forecasting, closing the books, fraud monitoring and creating new pricing models.SAP Concur's “Verify” tool now automatically audits 100% of expense reports, with 97% requiring no human intervention.Agentic AI & SAP Joule:Introduction of “Joule,” SAP's generative AI copilot, embedded across SAP applications.Joule automates mundane tasks, pre-audits expense reports, and provides real-time policy compliance checks.Joule acts as an agentic AI, orchestrating decisions and actions across multiple business processes, not just within finance.Integration and Real-Time Data:SAP Concur now integrates with payment providers like MasterCard and American Express to capture real-time authorisation data, streamlining expense reporting and improving categorisation.Data Privacy & Security:All financial data processed by Joule is contained within the customer's environment and is not exposed to external AI sources.Data is anonymised when used for model training, ensuring compliance with strict privacy standards.Customisation & Future-Proofing:SAP's Business Data Cloud enables organisations to unify and govern all SAP and third-party data, supporting custom AI queries across previously siloed data sets.Resources & Further ReadingSAP Concur CFO Insights ReportSAP Concur BlogChris Juneau on LinkedInUpcoming EventsCatch Andrew Grill and Chris Juneau on stage at Fusion Exchange in London on June 12. Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

What happens when we prioritise innovation over ethics in AI development? For the 100th episode of the Digitally Curious Podcast, Kerry Sheehan, a machine learning specialist with a fascinating journey from journalism to AI policy, explores this critical question as she shares powerful insights on responsible AI implementation.Kerry takes us on a compelling exploration of AI guardrails, comparing them to bowling alley bumpers that prevent technologies from causing harm. Her work with the British Standards Institute has helped establish frameworks rooted in fairness, transparency, and human oversight – creating what she calls "shared language for responsible development" without stifling innovation.The conversation reveals profound insights about diversity in AI development teams. "If the teams building AI systems don't represent those that the end results will serve, it's not ethical," Kerry asserts. She compares bias to bad seasoning that ruins an otherwise excellent recipe, highlighting how diverse perspectives throughout the development lifecycle are essential for creating fair, beneficial systems.Kerry's expertise shines as she discusses emerging ethical challenges in AI, from foundation models to synthetic data and agentic systems. She advocates for guardrails that function as supportive scaffolding rather than restrictive handcuffs – principle-driven frameworks with room for context that allow developers to be agile while maintaining ethical boundaries.What makes this episode particularly valuable are the actionable takeaways: audit your existing AI systems for fairness, develop clear governance frameworks you could confidently explain to others, add ethical reviews to project boards, and include people with diverse lived experiences in your design meetings. These practical steps can help organisations build AI systems that truly work for everyone, not just the privileged few.This is an important conversation about making AI work for humanity rather than against it. Kerry's perspective will transform how you think about responsible technology implementation in your organisation.More informationKerry on LinkedInThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

A phone call that changes everything. A seemingly impossible challenge. Hours instead of months to prepare. When mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble received that unexpected call from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, she faced a career-defining decision: step onto the stage of the Sydney Opera House that very evening to perform Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony—a piece she had never fully sung before—or walk away from the opportunity of a lifetime.What followed was a whirlwind day of frantic preparation, from retrieving a discarded concert dress from a garbage bag in her car trunk to a 45-minute crash course with her vocal coach. With barely enough time to warm up, Deborah found herself standing before a sold-out audience at the Sydney Opera House, performing in a concert that was not only being live-streamed globally but also recorded by Deutsche Grammophon for worldwide release.The stakes couldn't have been higher. The pressure more intense. Yet amid the chaos, Deborah found clarity in a simple thought: "Simone wouldn't have asked you to step up if she didn't think you could do it." With the support of conductor Simone Young and drawing on decades of professional experience, Deborah delivered a performance that earned her a standing ovation and secured her place in Sydney Opera House history.This remarkable story transcends the world of classical music, offering powerful insights about preparation meeting opportunity, managing self-doubt, and having the courage to take calculated risks. As Deborah reflects, "We are capable of doing what we have spent our whole lives working towards." Her experience reminds us that behind every "overnight success" lies years of dedication, discipline, and determination—qualities that prepare us to seize extraordinary moments when they unexpectedly arrive.Ready to be inspired by a tale of remarkable courage under pressure? Listen as Deborah reveals what it truly takes to rise to an impossible occasion when everything is on the line.Find out more about Deborah Humble on her website.Listen to the recording here. Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

Welcome to Season 7 of the Digitally Curious Podcast. This show is a perfect compendium if you've bought the book of the same name, and if you haven't grabbed yourself a copy, may I suggest that's something you should consider investing in - just  click here or ask for it by name wherever great books are sold.In today's episode, we're going back in time to an interview I conducted with David Shrier in late 2021 - well before ChatGPT hit the headlines. We discuss his book Augmenting Your Career: How to Win at Work In the Age of AI, and the book and our discussion are as relevant as ever, three years on.What I found interesting while editing the episode on New Year's Day 2025 is that it's an excellent discussion about the fundamentals of AI without the hype of ChatGPT and Generative AIDavid Shrier, a trailblazer in technology and educational innovation, joins us in dissecting the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. His perspective on AI as "augmented intelligence" challenges us to rethink the relationship between humans and machines. With examples from around the globe, David advocates for AI literacy as a cornerstone of modern education, highlighting how nations like Denmark, China, and Singapore are setting benchmarks. This episode promises to enhance your understanding of how AI can be integrated into educational ecosystems and professional life, guided by insights from David's book, "Augmenting Your Career."Navigating the ethical landscape of AI is more important than ever, and we bring focus to the critical role of government regulators in this space. We dive into real-world examples, such as Google's image recognition failures, to underscore the importance of diverse data and ethical diligence. The conversation praises initiatives like those of the UK government and challenges the pitfalls of overregulation, drawing lessons from New York's BitLicense situation. ]Our discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in how regulatory frameworks can either propel or stifle technological innovation.As AI reshapes the job market, we explore the shifting roles and opportunities emerging across various industries. From philosophy majors finding their niche in AI development to the resilience of healthcare and creative arts, there's a world of possibility awaiting those prepared to adapt. We also touch on corporate responsibility, using Accenture's workforce reskilling as a model for sustaining company culture amidst AI-driven changes. Discover practical strategies for staying ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape, emphasizing cognitive flexibility and continuous learning as keys to thriving in the digital age.More on DavidDavid on LinkedInDavid's booksThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In this episode, we speak to Australia's first official astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, about her lifelong passion for space exploration and how she pursued her dream of becoming an astronaut.We also covered:The importance of international experience and cultural adaptability in the astronaut selection process and trainingThe rigorous and diverse nature of astronaut training, including spacecraft systems, robotics, survival techniques, and moreThe exciting future of space exploration, including missions to the Moon and the scientific research opportunities on the International Space StationAdvice for those interested in space-related careers, emphasizing the need for purpose-driven work and a willingness to step outside one's comfort zoneWe last covered space on the podcast in Season 4, Episode 3 -  Space Based Solar Power.Quotable Quotes:"Working in an international environment from a project basis as well as from a life basis really made me say that there's lots of different kinds of engineers, lots of ways to culturally come to solutions.""Being an astronaut is bigger than the space sector. It's for many kinds of researchers, as well as raising the aspirations of the public as well."Resources:Katherine on LinkedInKatherine on InstagramKatherine on TwitterLearn more about Katherine Bennell-Pegg and the Australian Space Agency at space.gov.auExplore the International Space Station and its scientific research here.Thank you to Katherine, Engineers Australia and Frank Gallagher for contributing to this episode.Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In this episode, Andrew Grill sits down with Carol Howley, Chief Marketing Officer at Exclaimer, a leading email signature management company. Carol shares her extensive experience in B2B marketing, from her early days at Skyscanner to her current role at Exclaimer, where she has been instrumental in scaling the company's marketing efforts. They discuss a wide range of topics, including:Carol's Marketing Journey: From her start at Best Western Hotels to building the B2B arm at Skyscanner and her move into the tech-heavy world of Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu), Carol's career path is full of insights for aspiring marketers.The Role of Exclaimer: Learn how Exclaimer helps organisations manage their email signatures centrally, ensuring compliance and branding consistency while also turning email signatures into valuable marketing real estate.Innovative Use Cases for Email Signatures: Discover how companies are leveraging email signatures for account-based marketing, customer feedback collection, and more.Challenges in Scaling Marketing Programs: Carol discusses the challenges she faced in scaling Exclaimer's marketing efforts, particularly around change management and balancing short-term lead generation with long-term brand building.The Evolution of Buyer Behaviour: With buyers now doing up to 80% of their research before engaging with sales teams, Carol explains how Exclaimer is adapting to this shift by focusing on personalisation and delivering value at every touchpoint.B2B Influencer Marketing: Carol shares her thoughts on the growing role of influencers in B2B marketing, both formal and informal, and how they can help build credibility and trust in a crowded marketplace.The Power of Integrated Marketing Campaigns: Why integrating multiple marketing channels leads to higher success rates and how Exclaimer wraps potential customers in consistent messaging across various touchpoints.AI in Marketing: Carol highlights how AI is transforming marketing operations at Exclaimer, from automating routine tasks to analysing customer reviews for insights that drive product development.Join us as we explore the strategies behind successful B2B marketing campaigns and gain actionable insights from one of the industry's leading voices.Key Takeaways:Email Signatures as a Marketing Tool: Email signatures can be more than just contact information; they are valuable real estate for promoting content, scheduling meetings, and driving engagement.Scaling Challenges: Change management is crucial when scaling a business. Building new channels and operational foundations requires buy-in from all stakeholders.Adapting to Buyer Behaviour: Modern buyers are more independent, often completing most of their research before contacting sales. Marketers need to focus on building trust early in the buyer journey.AI's Role in Marketing: AI is not replacing marketers but enhancing their ability to scale operations and make data-driven decisions faster than ever befoThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

Join Carolanne Ashley, co-host of the Your MindBody Link podcast, as we journey into the future of AI and unpack Andrew Grill's new book, Digitally Curious. Have you ever wondered how digital curiosity can shape your career? This episode promises to unravel that and more as we uncover the behind-the-scenes story of "Digitally Curious" and how Andrew's early experiments with technology and over 100 podcast interviews fueled its content.The episode examines groundbreaking technologies such as quantum computing and self-sovereign identity, discussing their imminent and profound impact on businesses. We also tackle the looming "Q-Day", and the need for organisations to prepare for a new era where quantum computers will challenge current data security measures.Find out how Andrew's experience speaking to corporate audiences as the Actionable Futurist, where he leaves them with five things to do next, spawned the "Curious Five", which is included at the end of every chapter, making it practical and actionable.Carolanne asks how AI can transform everyday workflows like never before, acting as an "always-on intern" to revolutionise business operations.  Watch as the tables are turned, and the interviewer becomes the interviewee!More informationOrder Digitally CuriousMore on the bookYour MindBody Link podcastCarolanne's websiteCarolanne on LinkedInThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of the CFO is undergoing a transformative shift. As highlighted in a recent discussion on the Digitally Curious podcast with Chris Juneau, Head of Market Strategy for SAP Concur, CFOs are increasingly turning to AI to drive strategic growth and innovation.Many of you may already be using SAP Concur without realising it. When you book a trip, submit your expenses, or you use the brilliant traveller app Tripit, you're using SAP Concur services.I spoke with Chris about a couple of recent reports from SAP Concur, one which looks at how CFOs are embracing AI, and another about how to measure and maximise the returns from AI.Key Insights from the CFO Insights Report:Rising Investment in AI: Despite 58% of CFOs admitting limited understanding of AI, investment in AI technologies has surged from 15% to 51% since 2023. This reflects a growing recognition of AI's potential to revolutionise financial processes.AI Applications in Finance: CFOs are leveraging AI for various applications, including journaling and bookkeeping (65%), financial planning (59%), and risk scenario planning (53%). These technologies are not only enhancing efficiency but also enabling more strategic decision-making.Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Education is key. SAP Concur is committed to educating financial leaders on AI applications, helping them ask the right questions and implement AI responsibly within their organisations.AI adoption is not just about cost reduction; it's about unlocking productivity gains and fostering innovation. By automating mundane tasks, CFOs can focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth.So what can you do next?Educate and Empower: Continuously educate your teams on AI's potential and collaborate with technology partners to harness its full capabilities.Collaborate Across Functions: Partner with HR and IT leaders to ensure a holistic approach to digital transformation.Challenge the Status Quo: Always seek better ways to optimise business processes and drive strategic outcomes – start exploring your existing platforms and see if they can be enhanced by AI.Join us in exploring how AI is reshaping the role of the CFO and driving businesses towards a more innovative future. Resources MentionedCFO Insights report: Repositioning for GrowthCFO Insights report: How to Measure and Maximise AI Returns Concur ExpenseChris Juneau on LinkedInThis is a paid partnership with SAP Concur.Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

Many will know that I've just published my new book, Digitally Curious: Your Guide to Navigating the Future of AI and All Things Tech, which is now available worldwide. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and I believe it is a book that will help many people better understand the technology surrounding us.I've already been interviewed on several podcasts about the book, and you can find links to these below.I wanted to showcase the book on the podcast, but it would be strange for me to interview myself.I recently presented at the Skillsoft London Perspectives event at the Shard on “The future of work in the age of AI.”I always strive to present the latest thinking in my keynotes, and as part of my research, I wanted to try out the new Google product Notebook LM, which stands for Notebook Language Model.You can access it via notebooklm.googleIn Google's own words: NotebookLM is your personalised AI research assistant powered by Google's most capable model, Gemini 1.5 Pro.One cool feature is the ability to upload your data and turn it into a podcast with two AI-generated hosts.I decided to try this out with the book. I uploaded the book's PDF, which contains 74,000 words, and pushed the button to make a podcast. I did nothing else. Five minutes later, what you hear on this episode is what was produced verbatim. I've not edited the 12-minute AI-generated  episode in any way.I don't think this will immediately replace podcasts or podcast hosts. However, it may be a new way to present written information.We all have different learning styles, and so perhaps this would help people who prefer to listen instead of reading content.I look forward to your thoughts on this and the content from my AI hosts about the book.If you'd like to pick up a copy of the book head to curious.click/order, and as always, I encourage you to stay curious.ResourcesNotebookLMAI in Education Podcast with Nadio GranataSilicon UK Podcast on Digitally CuriousPurchase Digitally CuriousThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches herePre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of AI and technology in the nonprofit sector with Jacek Siadkowsk, co-founder and CEO of Tech to the Rescue.Our discussion explores how tech innovations are revolutionizing nonprofit operations, from enhancing efficiency and service delivery to driving social good through scalable solutions. Jacek's journey from running a digital agency to spearheading a global movement offers valuable insights into the mission and impact of Tech to the Rescue.The episode kicks off with an exploration of how AI and automation are making significant strides in the nonprofit sector. Jacek highlights the role of Tech to the Rescue in bridging the gap between tech companies and nonprofits by facilitating pro bono collaborations.These partnerships enable nonprofits to leverage advanced technologies to solve real-world problems, thereby amplifying their impact. The conversation underscores the critical role of AI in enhancing efficiency, fundraising, and service delivery for nonprofits, while also addressing the challenges of ensuring accurate and reliable AI applications.A fascinating case study discussed in the episode is Bikara Udara's voter empowerment platform in Indonesia. This innovative tool is changing the political landscape by helping citizens elect candidates prioritising quality of life. The broader implications of such technology extend to various social issues like health, climate, and education.Jacek also highlights exciting partnerships with tech giants like Google.org and AWS, which are propelling the AI for Changemakers program to support nonprofits globally. Jacek's ambitious plans for Tech to the Rescue include facilitating tech services worth $1 billion by 2030 and popularizing the culture of tech for good.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in harnessing technology to drive social good. From the transformative role of AI and automation in nonprofits to the ethical considerations of responsible AI development, the discussion offers valuable insights and inspiration. More on JacekJacek on LinkedInTTTR WebsiteResources mentionedVerner VogelsThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. Pre-order the book that showcases these episodes at digitallycurious.ai/pre-orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches herePre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

How can insights from managing a winery help shape the future of AI technology at Intel? Carla Rodríguez bridges both worlds. When I asked Robert Hallock at Intel who I should invite next onto the podcast – his response was instant - Carla Rodríguez, who runs Intel's client software ecosystem.“Razor sharp … just so smart, so capable” was his description, so I just had to invite her onto the show. Carla is no ordinary big tech company exec. She served in the Peace Corps in Romania and worked her way through the ranks of Intel, joining in the finance area to become VP of one of the most important and innovative parts of the company.In between these roles, she has also found time to help run a winery business with her husband, which gives her a unique perspective on the issues facing companies of all sizes.Her role at Intel is to work closely with the developer ecosystem. With the recent launch of their AI PC program, which utilises the Intel vPro platform powered by Intel Core Pro processors, we're seeing AI rise to become mainstream and a must-have tool in the workplace, driving innovation and productivity.In our discussion, Carla explains how running a boutique winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley with her Husband gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of running a small business, insights that she brings back to her role at Intel.You'll also learn about:AI: Moving from Niche to MainstreamAI has now reached a tipping point where it is becoming mainstream and Intel is at the forefront of this revolution with their AI PC platform, integrating CPU, GPU, and the new Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to handle complex AI tasks efficiently. Empowering Developers with AIPCIntel's AIPC Developer Program is a crucial initiative aimed at supporting developers in harnessing the power of the NPU. By providing hands-on labs and development kits, Intel is enabling developers to experiment and create groundbreaking applications. The Immediate Impact on BusinessesFor small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the benefits of adopting AIPC are immediate. Carla emphasised that the time to invest in AIPC is now, as it offers enhanced productivity, security, and innovative capabilities. Future of Work: Embracing AIThe future of work will be significantly shaped by AI, with tools that enhance productivity and free up time for more strategic tasks. As Carla pointed out, AI is like having an always-on intern, ready to assist with various tasks, making us more efficient and effective in our roles.This podcast is sponsored by Intel.More on CarlaCarla on LinkedInIntel AI PCThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. Pre-order the book that showcases these episodes at digitallycurious.ai/pre-orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches herePre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

How can emerging technologies and critical thinking shape the future of business? Join us on Digitally Curious as we sit down with Arvind Ravishunkar, General Manager of Think Tank and Tech Strategy at Wipro.Arvind offers an inside look at the groundbreaking projects at Wipro's innovation lab, Lab45, and discusses how the lab is pioneering new business models and sustainable practices. Discover how their Think Tank's new podcast, Unpacked, aims to make complex technical topics accessible, and why understanding technology at a fundamental level is crucial for modern business leaders.Imagine a workplace where debate and critical thinking are not only encouraged but essential. Arvind explains the transformative power of monthly debates within their think tank, designed to challenge team members to see all sides of an issue, backed by data and evidence.These debates sharpen minds and foster adaptability, preparing the team to navigate an unpredictable business landscape. He shares how knowledge-sharing sessions and a culture open to change are vital for fostering innovation and staying ahead.The future of AI is here, and it's reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. Arvind delves into the implications of AI integration, from Apple's latest partnerships to the broader trends in AI adoption. He underscores the importance of data quality and strategy in successful AI projects and shares his journey towards cultivating digital curiosity in his team.Explore the far-reaching impacts of AI on job markets, the evolving role of educational institutions, and the necessity for responsible AI practices. Tune in for an episode rich with insights into the evolving landscape of technology and business leadership.More on ArvidArvind on LinkedInLab45 Think TankUnpacked podcastThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. Pre-order the book that showcases these episodes at digitallycurious.ai/pre-orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches herePre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

This episode is sponsored by Intel.There are some exciting new developments in AI, and we're at the beginning of a truly transformative era, thanks largely to innovations led by companies such as Intel.Intel's recent advancements in AI technology, particularly Intel vPro PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, are setting a new benchmark for what professional devices can do. With a strategic shift towards local AI processing, Intel is mitigating the traditional reliance on cloud services, which cuts costs and significantly boosts data privacy and processing speeds.I spoke with Robert Hallock, Intel's Vice President and General Manager, Client AI & Technical Marketing, to learn more about what Intel is doing with AI.Robert believes the integration of AI capabilities directly into PCs will drive the most significant change in personal computing in 20 years.A significant development enabling this shift is Intel's new Core Ultra processor. It is designed to optimise AI software performance by efficiently splitting tasks between the CPU, GPU, and a new component – the Neural Processing Unit or NPU. This will allow AI PCs to provide enhanced experiences with marketing & content creation, productivity assistance, and privacy controls, all powered by on-device AI.Intel and Microsoft have co-defined the definition of AI PC. It is a PC with a dedicated copilot key, and it brings new AI experiences in productivity, creativity, and security through a combination of the CPU, GPU, and the new NPU from Intel.In this episode, Robert and I looked at the business case for the AI PC.The ability to perform traditionally processor-intensive AI tasks locally will benefit knowledge workers who aren't always connected and need to prioritise data security. A key benefit of an AI PC powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor will be the improved capacity for AI powered threat detection offered by Intel Threat Detection Technology within the Intel vPro platform.It's now becoming clear that organisations must adopt AI capabilities to remain competitive, as classic corporate software rapidly adopts AI and disadvantages non-adopters.Whether you're a business leader looking to harness the power of AI for competitive advantage or an IT Professional keen to understand the vision for AI integration in personal computing, this episode is for you.You can  find out more about Intel's vision for AI PCs Built for Business at intel.ly/3J6g0MP#AI #AD #IntelCoreUltra #IntelAmbassador #IntelvPro #podcast #futurist Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches herePre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

This podcast episode features an interview with Darshan Chandarana and Julia Howes from PwC about opportunities in enterprise AI. They discussed AI adoption across industries, with financial services and retail leading the way, and Darshan emphasised the importance of responsible AI and understanding societal impacts.Julia discussed the challenges of AI adoption like determining value and data privacy issues. Julia gave examples where Microsoft's Copilot AI is helping non-native English speakers and explains how the future of work with AI could involve remote working and creativity hubs. Emerging technologies like augmented reality are also discussed, and our guests encourage experimenting with AI, embracing change, and coordinating cross-functional teams to unlock value from enterprise AI.We also discussed:Industries benefiting the most from Gen AIResponsible AI in practiceGetting started with AIWhy GenAI needs an intelligent approach to adoptionPWCs own tool - ChatPWCWhat are customers asking about Generative AI?What are AI Co-Pilots?AI Strategy and Execution ChallengesThe need for an AI Council to help co-ordinate activitiesWhat do clients need to look out for with AI projects?Common challenges faced in integrating AISafe, short experimentsAI Applications and Data QualityThe quick wins for AI projectsThe need for quality AI-ready dataWithout good data, there is no good AIIndustry-specific LLM'sAI Industry Trends and ApplicationsThe most unique problems solved by AIPodcast tip - using AI for language translationPreparing the workforce for Gen AIAddressing employee issues around AI deploymentsFuture Work Trends and Emerging TechThe need for critical thinking in the age of AIThe future of work under AIEmerging technologies to watchHow to stay informed on new technologies3 actionable tips to prepare for Enterprise AIMore on DarshanDarshan on LinkedInMore on JuliaJulia on LinkedInResources mentioned in this episodeThe PWC Essential 8 TechnologiesPWC website"I am Flame" book on AmazonYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

In this episode, we look at a report I wrote in partnership with Vodafone UK to examine how 5G Standalone (5G SA) could transform UK over the next 5-7 years.To talk more about the findings, I spoke with Nicki Lyons, Vodafone UK's Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer.Some of the predictions in the report include:We'll see the end of Video Assisted Referee (VAR) and poor off-side decision-making thanks to smart ball tech, pitch sensors and player wearables enabled by 5G Standalone (5G SA) – meaning more time is devoted to the beautiful game and less time on disputes.Connected clothing will mean trainers will ‘talk' to each other and collate style and sustainability-inspired looks from other feet on the street, powering your very own AI-powered style guide – enabling fashionistas to discover styles and express themselves in new ways.Working with Vodafone, in a new report, leading futurist Andrew Grill predicts how 5G SA could transform the things the UK loves most in the next five-to-seven years – from retail and sports to gaming and entertainment.The report supports the growing need for 5G SA infrastructure in the UK, as the proposed Vodafone and Three merger paves the way for UK 5G SA leadership with a pledge to invest £11 billion and reach over 99% of the UK population with 5G SA by 2034.More on Nicki LyonsNicki became Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability in October 2021. She's responsible for external communications, government and regulatory affairs, and sustainable business. Before this, she worked in senior roles at Walgreen Boots Alliance, Unilever, PepsiCo, in UK government and in international development.Nicki on LinkedInResources mentioned in the showAnn Patchett Tom Lake bookVodafone UK WebsiteVodafone and Three websiteMore on the reportVodafone press release about the reportDownload the reportYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

In this episode, we're casting our minds back to 2004, when NASA landed the Spirit rover on Mars; the last episode of Friends aired; George W Bush was re-elected US president, and the number one hits were LMC's Take Me To The Clouds Above in the UK and Hey Ya! By Outkast in the US.Over at Harvard University, computer science student Mark Zuckerberg is coding in his dorm room. Lately, he's been nurturing a reputation as a minor enfant terrible on campus after creating the shortlived site FaceMash, which allowed students to rate each other's hotness.Today, Wednesday, 4th February, he's about to push “publish” on TheFacebook, which would later become simply Facebook.So what does Facebook look like at 20, and what can we learn from this social networking phenomenon?To help me answer this and more, I'm joined by Jason Mander, Chief Research Officer at leading global consumer research platform GWI, to dive into their vast research platform and take a deep dive on Facebook at 20.Here are the key statistics Jason mentioned on the podcast, extracted from the GWI platform.75% of people in the UK use Facebook monthly, 66% use it weekly, and 50% use it dailyBoomer Facebook usage has increased 20% over the last decade, with around 66% of boomers currently using itGen Z and student Facebook usage has decreased compared to 10-20 years ago, though around 66% of Gen Z still use itHalf of 13-14 year olds are on Facebook, despite declining usage among younger generationsTikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular platforms among childrenMeta owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger – the top 4 platforms in the UK15% of UK residents purchase secondhand items online weeklyAround 50% of Brits use eBay for selling items, 25% use Facebook Marketplace, and smaller percentages use sites like GumtreeThree quarters of Millennials and Gen X in the UK use Facebook, with stable usage over the last 10 yearsInstagram ranks as the 4th most used social media platform in the UK, used by around 60% of peopleFacebook Messenger ranks 3rd for pure messaging platforms in the UKiMessage overtakes Messenger among younger Gen Z96% of Gen Z in the UK use at least one Meta platform like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsAppBoomers' Facebook usage is up 20% in the last decadeMore on JasonJason on LinkedInJason on TwitterYou can listen to the episode with GWI Tom Smith here.Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Twenty-four years ago, the world prepared for the risk of a global meltdown due to the "Y2K bug" - the potential for computer errors related to the formatting and storage of calendar data for dates in and after the year 2000. The issue at the time was many programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits, making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900. Because many computer systems could not correctly distinguish dates, this had the potential to bring down worldwide infrastructures for computer-reliant industries.Thanks to the awareness of this as early as 1985, many systems could be modified in time, and the impact of the Y2K issue was minimal.However, a new threat is looming with the advent of Quantum computing. These mega-powerful computers will potentially be able to decrypt current-day encryption by 2030, with some cybersecurity experts suggesting it could even be as soon as next year.What does this mean for businesses and consumers? Any currently encrypted data could be stored until such a time that quantum computers can decrypt it, exposing our most important secrets and personal information to bad actors and hackers.Are you prepared for the quantum threat? In this first episode for season six, we discuss the risks and opportunities of quantum computing with Chris Johnson, Senior VP and Global Head of Enterprise at Nokia.Chris explains how quantum computing will exponentially increase data volumes and processing power, potentially allowing encrypted data from today to be decrypted in the future. He stresses the importance of preparing networks and systems now to be "quantum safe."We also explore the positive uses of quantum, such as accelerating research and optimizing complex systems, and Chris shares examples of how quantum could speed up vaccine development and financial analysis.Tune in to learn what Nokia is doing in the quantum space, how edge and cloud computing will work with quantum and three actionable steps you can take today to future-proof against quantum threats. It's a fascinating look at an emerging technology with worldwide implications.About ChrisChris is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Enterprise at Nokia. A veteran sales and business leader, Chris focuses on delivering critical network solutions for the world's most essential industries. He is a passionate champion of industrial digitalization for enterprises and government organizations, with a deep understanding of how innovative and intuitive digital technologies can bring resilience, productivity, efficiency and sustainability to any operation. Drawing on his experience defining business strategies, developing teams, executing initiatives and driving profitable growth, Chris helps Nokia Enterprise customers harness the exponential potential of networks to unlock new business models and build capacity for long-term success.Connect with Chris on LinkedinConnect with Chris on TwitterYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Curious about edge computing? Want to understand why it's the next big thing in the world of IT? My conversation with Mark Swinson, an enterprise IT Automation Sales Specialist at Red Hat, might just be the discussion you're looking for.Mark takes us on a deep dive into the world of edge computing, discussing its benefits, applications, and the crucial role of open-source projects. We navigate the diverse applications of edge computing, exploring its transformative impact in sectors like retail, autonomous driving, and more. Mark also enlightens us on the significant role of AI and Kubernetes in shaping the edge computing landscape. Our conversation also touches upon the unique challenges in edge computing and why data security is paramount in this field. More on MarkMark on LinkedInResources MentionedRed Hat Connect London  7 November 2023The Age of AI - Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel HuttenlocherYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

On this episode of the Actionable Futurist Podcast, I had an in-depth conversation with Steve Young, UK SVP & Managing Director for Dell Technologies, on why it is now critical that CEOs, CIOs, CFOs and CISOs play a role in driving a well-planned multicloud strategy for their businesses.In recent years, cloud technology has proliferated. However, many are realising that not all workloads and applications are suited to a single public cloud environment. Or, in fact, a public cloud environment at all.. As such, going 'multi-cloud' has been implemented unintentionally rather than strategically.The need for a multi-cloud approach is now more urgent as companies are deploying more complicated applications and services, so this Podcast is timely and important for business leaders in any organisation to hear.The discussion made me realise that multi-cloud strategy is not just about the tech world – and as Steve highlights, it has significant implications for various industries, including financial services and FMCGIn the podcast, we discussed how a financial services organisation has efficiently utilised multi-cloud for cost and efficiency using ground-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground approaches.We also explored Dell Technologies' vision and differentiation in the multi-cloud space and how they focus on enabling customers to consume public cloud-style services irrespective of where their data and applications sit.Dell Technologies is helping to bridge the gap in the market for multi-cloud skilled talent. Artificial Intelligence also impacts the multi-cloud environment, and we talked about how AI will function in a multi-cloud world.It's fair to say that multi-cloud environments offer numerous benefits, from increased flexibility and agility to improved cyber resilience; however, the journey towards effective multi-cloud adoption is filled with challenges.We examined in detail how each member of the C-suite can benefit from a multi-cloud approach.More and more, CEOs understand the importance of technology in driving business innovation and growth. Embracing a multi-cloud strategy allows CEOs to get their organisations on the front foot of digital transformation.Steve explained how organisations can successfully navigate the multi-cloud maze through strategic planning, business understanding, and the right technological support.We also spoke about the Dell Technologies Forum on November 28th in London that I'm attending, the premier conference for technology enthusiasts and business leaders looking to drive innovation and growth. You can sign up for a free pass at futurist.click/dell-forumResources mentioned in this episodeSteve on LinkedInSign up for the Dell Technologies ForumThis was a sponsored podcast in partnership with Dell Technologies.Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

The world of law is not immune to the sweeping changes brought about by technological advancements, specifically the advent of Artificial Intelligence. In a fascinating discussion with Jaeger Glucina, Chief of Staff at Luminance, we delve into how AI is reshaping the legal industry and creating new possibilities for efficiency and accuracy in legal processes.Built on a proprietary legal Large Language Model (LLM), Luminance uses next-generation AI to automate the generation, negotiation and analysis of contracts. Developed by world-leading AI experts and validated by leading lawyers, Luminance's specialist ‘legal-grade' AI is a trusted co-pilot for any legal team.From taking a first pass review of any contract under negotiation, to a first-of-its-kind AI chatbot for redrafting clauses on-the-fly and an intelligent contract repository for granular insight into any contractual landscape, Luminance brings AI to every touchpoint a lawyer has with their documents.A key area of focus in this conversation is the revolutionary role of AI in contract drafting and reviewing. Luminance is leading the way by using a combination of generative and analytical AI to improve accuracy and efficiency in these areas. This technology allows for the identification of risk elements in contracts and the generation of drafts with simple prompts. As Jaeger highlights, this is a significant shift from traditional legal processes and has the potential to greatly improve the working lives of lawyers and legal professionals.One of the fascinating aspects of AI's integration into the legal sector is its potential to redefine traditional business models. A significant shift is taking place in how lawyers bill for their services. AI is introducing opportunities for automation, leading to a drastic reduction in time spent on certain tasks. This change is influencing the billing model in the legal industry, moving away from hourly billing towards value-based pricing.As the legal industry continues to embrace AI, there's a growing need for digital literacy among legal professionals. The integration of AI into legal processes requires a workforce that understands and can effectively utilize these new tools. Jaeger underscores the importance of equipping legal professionals with the necessary digital skills to harness the full potential of AI in their work.More on JaegerJaeger on LinkedInJaeger on TwitterLuminance websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Imagine a world where AI seamlessly integrates into your daily workflows, driving productivity gains, efficiency increases, and automation. AI and in particular Generative AI is all over the media, and now companies are looking at how they should be introducing AI into the enterprise.While Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT have been trained on publicly available data, they may not be suitable for always-on and mission-critical systems. So what's the opportunity for enterprise-grade AI?To answer this question, I'm delighted to have on this episode Umesh Sachdev, CEO of Uniphore,  an Enterprise-class, AI-native company that has set out to transform businesses delivering compelling and engaging customer and employee experiences.As we navigate the exciting yet challenging landscape of AI, we discuss potential pitfalls along the way. Umesh candidly shares insights into vital areas like regulation, data security, and total cost of ownership.We dive into how regulation is necessary, including guardrails for AI ensuring ethical use of public data, and protecting against biases and inappropriate use. Umesh also provided three actionable steps to ready your business for the AI revolution.More on UmeshUmesh on LinkedInUmesh on XResources MentionedJolt Effect, The: How High Performers Overcome Customer IndecisionUniphore websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Can machines really think like humans? What is the future of General Artificial Intelligence (GAI) when machines more closely resemble human behaviour than ever before? In this episode, Peter unveils his journey into the realm of General Artificial Intelligence (GAI) and his vision of machines possessing the ability to think, learn, and reason like humans. We look at the intricacies of General AI and how it sets itself apart from narrow AI.The episode also looks at how companies are tackling the immense challenges associated with crafting machines with general intelligence - from understanding the significance of concept formation in artificial general intelligence to discussing the role of quantum computing and resources in AI development.Peter also provided his views on the potential of machines developing empathy and the role of AI in ethical and moral debates, and answers the questions I've always wanted to ask - can AI feel empathy and love? Finally, we take a peek into the future as Peter shares how Aigo.ai is harnessing the power of conversational AI to revolutionize personalised experiences. More on PeterPeter on LinkedInPeter on MediumAigo websitePeter Voss is the world's foremost authority in Artificial General Intelligence. He coined the term 'AGI' in 2001 and published a book on Artificial General Intelligence in 2002. He is a Serial AI entrepreneur, technology innovator who has for the past 20 years been dedicated to advancing Artificial General Intelligence. Peter Voss' careers include being an entrepreneur, engineer and scientist. His experience includes founding and growing a technology company from zero to a 400-person IPO. For the past 20 years, his focus has been on developing AGI (artificial general intelligence). In 2008 Peter founded Smart Action Company, which offers the only call automation solution powered by an AGI engine. He is now CEO & Chief Scientist at Aigo.ai Inc., which is developing and selling increasingly advanced AGI systems for large enterprise customers. Peter also has a keen interest in the inter-relationship between philosophy, psychology, ethics, futurism, and computer science.Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

In the race to dominate Al we have seen our data privacy, democracy, and even our human rights impacted. To understand what brands and consumers need to do to fight back, I spoke with Anton Christodoulou, Group Chief Technology Officer at leading experiential design company, Imagination and co-founder of the new Trust 3.0 initiative.The Trust 3.0 initiative  is a Data Privacy Advocacy Group convening the brightest minds in privacy, AI, and technology to champion responsible innovation for a safer society.I'm proud to say that I'm also a part of this timely initiative.Anton is responsible for overseeing Imagination's global technology strategy, project and service delivery execution; to deliver immersive, engaging and measurable experiences to clients including Mastercard, Ford, Major League Baseball, Jaguar Land Rover and Shell. I started our discussion by asking Anton more about Trust 3.0 and why it has been set up.This episode looks at its implications on data privacy for consumers and businesses and offers a deep dive into the necessity of transparency, security, and fair exchange of value in handling customer data. We also discuss how businesses can leverage this to promote trust and security.More on AntonAnton on LinkedInImagination websiteTrust 3.0 websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Consumers are beginning to understand that their personal data has real value, but it is still held in the hands of big technology companies.  The promise of consumers managing and owning their own data will become a reality thanks to decentralised or self-sovereign identity (SSI).To delve into this topic, I'm delighted to welcome onto the podcast Marie Wallace, Digital Identity Lead at Accenture.Marie and I both had the chance to work together at IBM and I've always enjoyed our discussions about analytics and data, and this conversation explains SSI in a very accessible way.Self-Sovereign Identity, or decentralized identity, is a model where individuals have full control over their personal data.During the episode, Marie debunked the common myth that implementing this model necessitates a blockchain, and we looked at the concept of "streaming trust".We also looked at Marie's instrumental role in projects like IBM's Digital Health Pass and New York's Excelsior Pass during the pandemic.A fascinating part of the discussion revolved around the concept of verifiable data, and the potential of AI in offering personalised career advice, primed with our own personal data.We also examined how companies might interact with customers to provide incentives for releasing individual data and how LinkedIn is starting to verify profiles to allow individuals to have more control over the data they own.This episode also looked at the integral role of trust networks, the need for secure digital wallets, and the exciting prospects of verifiable data.We also covered topics such asThe concept of "streaming trust" & how SSI worksSovereign identity & worker onboardingTrusting the trust providerThe need for secure, trusted digital walletsUsing SSI to validate my LinkedIn profileExploring the Concept of Verifiable DataEmpowering consumers with their own dataThe role of AI with SSI & personal dataSSI drivers: risk, cost, fraud reductionWhere do I store my SSI data?The Philosophy of Self-Sovereign IdentityExamples where SSI is working alreadySelf-Sovereign Identity and AI ExplorationsEmbedding trust with the supply chainAI uses in SSIEmpowering Individuals with Self-Sovereign IdentityWho needs to drive SSI adoption?The biggest challenge in SSIWhat are the steps to take to control my own data?Being more data literate and caring about your identity and online safetyThree actionable steps to manage your own identityMore on MarieMarie on LinkedInMarie on TwitterMarie's blogMarie's TED talkResources mentioned1PasswordYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

What if you could unlock the full potential of Generative AI and its impact on your life and company? Get ready for a fascinating fireside chat recorded live in front of an audience at the offices of leading international law firm RPC during London Tech Week.The Actionable Futurist Andrew Grill was interviewed on stage by Helen Armstrong, a Partner in RPC's IP and technology disputes team.The discussion examined the risks, issues, and ethics surrounding this powerful technology and the roles played by giants like OpenAI, Google, and Facebook in this rapidly evolving space. This episode also covers the current applications and trends of generative AI in the retail and consumer sectors and how it's already making a mark on our daily lives. As we navigate the complex world of AI regulation, Andrew shared his insights on explainability, transparency, trust within AI systems, and the implications of the UK Government's white paper on AI. The episode also touched on the challenges of IP rights, GDPR, ongoing AI model training, and the importance of auditing systems to prevent bias.Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation as we uncover the incredible potential of generative AI, its ability to unleash creativity, and the crucial need for ethical use of this game-changing technology.We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including:Generative AI and Its ImpactChat GPT's definition of a futuristWhat is Generative AI?Why AI is so popular nowThe risks of using Generative AIWhy ChatGPT so confidently provides incorrect answersHow ChatGPT actually worksChatGPT data sourcesIs ChatGPT that useful?The “magnet of mediocrity”Where is Generative AI being used?The “enthusiastic always-on intern”The need for critical thinkersThe responsible use of AIChallenges and Considerations for Generative AIThe AI black box problemThe challenges for regulation around AICan we trust AI?Regulation areas for AIGovernment response to AI regulationAre you involving your risk department around AI?Recruitment considerations for AI teamsThe future of Generative AIEnterprise AI ImplementationEnterpriseGPT challengesWill AI provide us with more free time to be creative?Actionable items for tomorrowYour two tribes and the opportunity for a hackathonWhy AI comes at a costIs your data “AI ready”?Will AI replace human creativity?Adobe's AI productsAccenture's use of AI generated imagery in a reportGenerative AI will drive more creativityAudience questions includedWho is responsible for ensuring AI training data is validWill AI disrupt or strengthen the economy?The environmental impacts of Generative AIThe difference between human emotional intelligence & creativity and replicating thisAs Generative AI improves, will it become more creative?Episode ResourcesMore on the eventYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

How will AI shape the future of marketing and advertising? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with our guest, Isabel Perry, VP of Emerging Technology at DEPT, as we explore the role of AI and its impact on various industries.Isabel shares valuable insights on how her background in architecture has prepared her for the challenges of working with cutting-edge technology and how DEPT's unique approach helps brands stay ahead of the competition throughout their digital customer journey. We dive deep into the myths and opportunities surrounding AI, augmented reality's potential societal impacts, and recall's power in AI-driven conversation management. Listen as Isabel discusses the ethical issues related to AI and content creation, the need for industry bodies to assist regulators, and the potential of AI to provide equal advantages for everyone. Finally, we examine the future of AI in marketing and how individuals and businesses can stay updated with the latest technology. Discover the skills needed for the advertising and marketing intern of the future and the potential of AI tools in streamlining the creative process.Join us for this enlightening conversation with Isabel Perry that covers everything from AI ethics to the future of marketing.More on IsabelIsabel on LinkedInDEPT WebsiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

When you settle into your seat on your next rail journey, see if you notice small towers dotted along the journey right next to the track. These are GSM-R base stations - a private GSM network for rail operators.Launched in the UK around 2007, the technology is based on the GSM mobile standard, and GSM-R suppliers have committed to support this system until 2030.So what's the future of rail communications? Enter the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) using the latest 5G technologies.To learn more about the opportunity for this new mode of operation, I spoke with Jochen Apel, Global Vice President of Digital Industries at Nokia, on the latest Actionable Futurist Podcast.We explored the exciting world of 5G technology for rail networks and its potential for transforming the rail industry.We also discussed the unique benefits of upgrading from the existing GSMR system to a 5G-based system, such as faster data speeds, a larger ecosystem of vendors, and more data to support critical operations, automation, and asset management.Jochen also sheds light on the potential of the Future Rail Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) as a global standard.We dive into the trials being run by Nokia with customers and SNCF, SBB, and Deutsche Bahn, and discuss the transition process for rail operators moving to FRMCS systems.Don't miss this enlightening episode as we uncover the advantages of 5G technology integration for rail networks and learn what smart rail operators can do now to prepare for this imminent change.We covered topics such as:What is the future of Rail?The Future Rail Mobile Communication System (FRMCS)What is holding back the move to FRMCSUnique benefits of the Nokia approachThe opportunity for FRMCS to become a global standard5G's use in Rail NetworksNew services unlocked by FRMCSTransitioning to new FRMCS servicesWhat should smart rail operators be doing to prepare?What does a forward-looking rail operator look like?Three actionable things to better understand the needs of modern transportation networksMore on JochenJochen on LinkedInNokia FRMCS solution websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Baby Boomers, Generation X, Gen Y, Millennials, Gen Z and now Gen Alpha. Is it right to define whole generations with a letter, and are we all that different?How can understanding generational differences pave the way for a successful future in the workforce, and how will Generative AI impact different generations? To answer these questions and more, I spoke with Social Researcher Mark McCrindle, who has spent his career examining each generation and how technology and societal issues affect each type.In this far-ranging discussion, we also covered:Putting labels on generationsHow technology impacts each generationTechnology adoption across the generationsEncouraging older generations to become digitally curiousGenerational Impact on Workforce DynamicsThe Generations and the future of workThe impact of hybrid working in each generation.Hybrid Work, Employee ExperienceWhere does wellness fit into the modern workplace?The importance of “employee experience”Future Employment Culture and ImpactThe need for re-skilling the workforceThe impact of Generative AI on the workforceEnterprise GPT impactsAdvice for leaders to attract and retain talentWhat is the future of work and how do we get there?Three actionable tips to better understand the changing workforceIf you want to understand how technology is likely to affect each generation and what is the future of work, then this episode is for you.Join us as we discuss the generational impact of technology on society and the workplace with Mark McCrindle, founder and principal of McCrindle Research. Prepare to uncover insights into how generational labels define us, and the crucial role they play in shaping workforce dynamics.We'll delve into the importance of bridging the gap between young and experienced employees, as well as the future of hybrid work and the significance of employee experience in retaining top talent. Learn how bringing together diverse generations within the workplace creates a level playing field, fosters understanding, and ultimately prepares organizations for the challenges ahead.Mark shares his wisdom on the importance of fostering organizational culture and investing in training and development to attract, retain, and empower the best talent. Don't miss this engaging conversation with Mark McCrindle, where we uncover the mysteries of generational impact, technology, and the future of work in a world of Generative AI.More on MarkMark on LinkedInMcCrindle ResearchYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

We all know that ethics are important in AI, but beyond doing the right thing, are we actually focusing on the things that matter with the current AI tools? While ChatGPT can write you an analysis of a Shakespeare play to help you pass the semester, should AI be used for more pressing world problems - and are we building AI on the wrong paradigm?AI Ethicist Stephanie Antonian thinks so. I first met Stephanie at a recent Cadastra event around e-commerce, and over networking drinks, we debated these points about AI.Having worked for Accenture, Google, DeepMind and GoogleX, she has been thinking about the role of AI in humanity for some time.She has written a series of essays, the latest one titled: “On Generative AI: Denying the Necessary Limits of Knowledge” and asks the question: What if uncertainty was the secret to advancing knowledge?Her thinking sparked my curiosity, so a few weeks ago, I packed my portable podcast recorder and we went for a 90-minute walk around London's Regent's Park to discuss these issues and more.We covered a lot of ground (literally around 4 kilometres) and one phrase that captivated me was "AI is a love letter to humanity".We explore this and much more in this fascinating episode including:How Stephanie got started in AI EthicsStephanie's experience with AIThe biggest issue in AI Ethics at the momentDealing with algorithmic biasThe issue with AI regulationHighlights of working for Google, Deep Mind and XAdvice for graduates working in techHow can AI be used for good?Dealing with the hype around Generative AI and ChatGPTHumanity's problem of fact vs fictionThe problem with ChatGPTOpen-sourcing the truth to train AIShould AI development be halted?Stephanie's essaysLove and AIThe role of empathy in AIThe link between AI and self-worthThe hysteria in the AI industryAre we building AI on the wrong paradigm?The opportunity for AIThe need for ethics and integrity in AIWhere will the next phase of positive innovation come from?AI's love letter to humanityWill AI take our jobs?How does AI compare to previous innovations?Are you worried about AI?Three actionable tips to better understanding AI opportunities & threatsMore on StephanieStephanie on LinkedInAestora websiteStephanie's EssaysYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

AI Ethics isn't just something we should be aware of - it is a movement according to Gaurav Rao from AtScale. Gaurav says “To me AI Ethics is a movement. and the reason why I define it as a movement is I think it has two distinct parts. There's technical frameworks that are continuing to evolve, and there's societal best practices, and both of these are put in conjunction to drive the responsible use of AI.Gaurav is EVP & GM of Machine Learning and AI at AtScale and has been working in the AI space for a long time, and he really knows this topic. This episode is a really interesting one, as it peels away the layers of AI and ethics and challenges you to think about how your internal processes are structured to support the ethical use of AI.Bad decisions made by AI may have a limited impact when it comes to song choices, but when reviewing who might get a home loan or health insurance, it could have far-reaching societal implications.Gaurav argues that the issue of AI Ethics goes beyond the risk and legal departments and is something that your marketing and sales teams should be looking at now.As always, the Actionable Futurist Podcast show also provides actionable advice you can put into place today and next week.We discussed a range of issues related to AI and ethics including:Ethical considerations when developing AI systems and modelsThe implications of bad decisions when AI is involvedThe role of regulation and AI ethicsThe ethical challenges Governments face with AIHow can we trust AI systemsInvolving the Chief Risk Officer in AI discussionsWhere to go to learn more about ethics AI issuesMany of my clients have set up AI working groups to share best practices across departments because AI is now no longer the domain of the tech teams, it is permeating every area of every company.With AI in the news on a daily basis, you need to consider the ethical use of AI in your business, so set aside 35 minutes this week and listen to this episode.More about GauravGaurav on LinkedInAtScale websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

We've heard so much over the last few months about Generative AI and in particular, ChatGPT, so what does it all mean for companies, and what's coming next?To answer these questions and more, I spoke with Heather Dawe, UK Head of Data at UST. She is is a well-known Data Leader with over 20 years of experience working across the industry.Heather has worked at a senior level as a Statistician and Data Scientist within government, the wider public sector and industry.With expertise in the health, retail, telecommunications, insurance and finance domains, Heather seeks to problem-solve and innovate with real-world challenges, within large organisations, academia, start-ups and incubators.She also pioneered the development of multi-disciplinary data science teams within the UK public sector.Heather is passionate about helping others to develop their skills and expertise. She is an advocate for democratising AI as well as achieving greater diversity in those who develop it.We covered a range of important topics in the field of Generative AI including:Defining AI and Machine LearningWhere Generative AI fits in the AI familyWhat the “GPT” in ChatGPT meansHow ChatGPT actually worksChat GPT3 vs ChatGPT4Is ChatGPT a step-change moment for AI?Are we expecting too much from AI?Do we need a pause on AI developments?How can we regulate new AI platforms?How Heather has been using ChatGPTDoes ChatGPT have a political bias?The power of Generative AI for company dataHow Cybercriminals could be using Generative AIHeather's work with clients at USTGenerative AI predictions in 1, 3 and 5 yearsThree actionable things to better understand AI systemsMore on HeatherHeather on LinkedInUST WebsiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Does Generative AI restrict our freedom to think if we ask it to do everything for us? To answer this question, I spoke with international Human Rights Lawyer, Author and Speaker and author of  “Freedom to Think: The Long Struggle to Liberate our Minds.” Susie Alegre.We last spoke to Susie on the podcast in 2022, before the Generative AI tool ChatGPT had been released, so in this show, Susie provided an update on her views on ChatGPT and AI in general.We looked at the current trends in AI, and Susie provided some advice for the big tech companies about how they take the next steps with these powerful tools.In a recent interview, she said: “If artificial intelligence doesn't know the answer, it simply makes up plausible response, but it automates the prejudices of our societies and delivers them with the confidence of a crypto salesman”.She asks the question we're all asking - Chat GPT: What is it for?To end the podcast, she provided three actionable tips on how to best use Generative AI tools:1. think about why you're using it instead of using your own brain or your own time2. Don't believe a word it says; double check possibly through Google or maybe go to a library 3. Play with it. But don't trust it.This show provides a fascinating update to our previous podcast and is very timely.More on Susie can be found on her website.You can purchase her book here.Listen to our first podcast here.Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

What traits does the leader of the future need to survive? To answer this question, I spoke to Hannah Greenwood, an international Leadership Speaker, Coach and Writer who works with individuals and global teams to facilitate creative enquiry and implement change.She founded Cascãd over 19 years ago and specialises in developing the "Champion Mindset" - the alchemic combination of innovative thinking and positive energy.Cascãd's Champion Mindset has helped individuals and companies achieve extraordinary things by harnessing the potential of true change.Hannah is an Associate at London Business School and was formerly Head of Counselling Courses at the Metanoia Training Institute for Psychotherapy and an Adjunct Professor at HULT International Business School teaching the MBA Leadership Module.She combines her leadership, teaching and therapeutic expertise to enable individuals to engage with their passion and to achieve excellence in their chosen field.We covered so many things related to the future of leadership, including:• What is a champion mindset, and why do we need one?• The difference between working one-on-one and working with a team.• The issue of presenteeism• Encouraging leaders to create teams that others want to join• Creating modern leaders• Transformational inner changeShe also recommended an excellent book during the quickfire round, so you must listen to the end.Resources mentioned in the showWomen Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola EstesMore on HannahHannah on LinkedInCascãd websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

I've been guilty of quoting the phrase “The subscription Economy” many times over the last few years without really knowing who coined it - its origins are actually with Tien Tzuo, CEO of Zuora.To explain more, I was joined by John Smith Phillips, Senior Vice President of SVP Sales & General Manager, EMEA at Zuora on the latest Actionable Futurist Podcast.We looked at how subscription services might adapt in the future and looked at how John and his clients are currently moving towards a recurring revenue model.Zuora has helped businesses in all industries transition to subscription models, working with businesses from the Guardian to Schneider Electric.As John mentions, when you have a recurring revenue model and platform, you can actually see how your customers are consuming the service - and make changes or better versions of the existing product. This is a fascinating chat about something many of us take for granted.More on JohnJohn on LinkedInZuora WebsiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

5G networks are all about speed and capacity, so private 5G networks are just a closed version of the same - right? Think again. Private wireless networks are on the rise, and to find out more, I spoke with Shahid Ahmed, Group EVP of New Ventures and Innovation at NTT, on the latest Actionable Futurist Podcast.He is responsible for driving new digital experiences, offerings and technologies that create growth and transform people's lives and companies and brings over 25 years of experience leading large services businesses with a focus on business transformation.In this show, we looked at several issues, including:• The difference between public and private 5G networks• The strengths of WiFi vs Private 5G• The opportunity for edge computing and 5G services• How NTT drives innovation• The power of a distributed workforce5G private networks won't replace WiFi but will deliver new services in locations and industries requiring increased security and control.NTT surveyed 200 CIOs within the industrial manufacturing and automotive sectors, and they cited that the reason for deploying private 5G networks was not because of latency and speed but because of the inherent need for security and control.More on ShahidShahid on LinkedInNTT Global on TwitterNTT at Mobile World Congress 2023Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Remote working as an option for the modern workforce is here to stay - so what advice would someone who's been working remotely for years have for others?To answer this question, I spoke with Mark Pinsent, Managing Director, Europe for The Hoffman Agency - a leading Technology PR company.Mark graduated in 1992 with a degree in Information and Computing Science but his creative streak saw him enter the world of marketing and communications.He says he's spent 28 happy years developing and delivering campaigns for B2B and B2C brands in the UK and internationally.In the second half of the podcast, from the 36:44 mark, we spoke about the art of storytelling and how PR can help organisations tell a great story.Mark is coming to us today from his “location agnostic” office in France.The episode is a long one, just over an hour, but worth listening to every minute.We recorded this back in June 2022, when things were stating to return to normal. Thankfully in March 2023, things seem much more open.More on MarkMark on LinkedInMark on InstagramMark's Landrover Sandy on InstagramMark on TwitterThe Hoffman Agency websiteThe World for Sale bookYour Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

We've heard of “full-stack Engineers”, but what is a Full Stack CMO? To find out I spoke with Maya Moufarek, CEO of strategic growth consultancy Marketing Cube for the latest Actionable Futurist Podcast.Maya has over 15 years in the tech and direct-to-consumer industries with roles at Google, Amex, Cisco and LG and she is passionate about working with ambitious entrepreneurs and purpose-driven CEOs to deliver truly sustainable growth.She says she is proud to be multicultural and multilingual, having had the pleasure of living and working in Moscow, Paris, Amsterdam, New York City, San Francisco and here in London.We covered a lot of issues related to marketing in start-up companies, including:What it means to be a "Full-stack CMO” Understanding the human psyche to be a good marketerThe secret to building sustainable & profitable growth plansThe one common mistake that start-up CEOs makeThe specific characteristics of high-growth companiesAdvice for early-stage start-upsMore about MayaMaya on LinkedInMaya on TwitterMarketing Cube WebsiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

“Permacrisis” was the 2022 Collins Dictionary word of the year, and this year, people are seeking ways to adapt in an uncertain world.Accenture identified five emerging trends that will alter the power dynamic between brands and customers in the coming 12 months and beyond:1: Permacrisis and human adaptability2: What's next for loyalty?3: The importance of work intangibles4: AI is now in people's hands for creativity5: Digital wallets: a question of adoptionThis year, people are seeking ways to adapt in an uncertain world.​Emerging technologies are giving control to the people, with never-before-seen outcomes for businesses and individuals.Artificial intelligence lets people express their natural creativity, Web3 offers the chance to help shape the brands they love, and tokenization may soon hand them full control over their personal data.How will brands build trust and leverage new technologies for growth?Building on the 15-year legacy of Fjord Trends, this report—Accenture Life Trends 2023—has the same inspiring content. This year's report is rooted in life centricity and examines the ways in which people are adapting their lives and making use of emerging technology to meet their changing needs.To examine the report in greater detail, we spoke to Katie Burke,  Accenture Song's Metaverse Continuum Global Content & Offering Lead, working with clients around the globe on their entry into the next wave of the internet.Sitting within Accenture Song's innovation and thought leadership practice, she currently serves as the lead content writer for the annual Life Trends report, as well as leading Accenture Song's ground-up innovation program, that explores technologies that are signalling on the future of humanity, future of interactions, and future of brands.Katie's career has been at the intersection of humans, innovation, and creativity. She has created three metaverse experiences for Accenture since the start of the pandemic and has created two thriving digital communities, which is one of the key attributes of Web3.Resources mentionedAccenture Life Trends Report 2023Dom Price, Work Futurist at Atlassian PodcastDr Lynn Gribble on the opportunities for Generative AI in EducationSolid Project at MITMore on KatieKatie on LinkedInKatie on Accenture.comYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

What's the future of finance?To answer this question I spoke with James Butland, Vice President of Financial Partnerships, EMEA for Airwallex.Airwallex was founded by four friends, Jack Zhang, Max Li, Lucy Liu, and Xijing Dai, in Melbourne, Australia in 2015 and was inspired by real-life experiences.Out of their love for good coffee, engineering-banking friends Jack Zhang and Max Li started Tukk & Co, a café in Melbourne. As small business owners, they recognised first-hand the impact of high foreign exchange (FX) fees and banking costs on their profit margins, and sought out to build a better solution for businesses operating cross-border, improving on the constraints of the current global financial system.Specifically they wanted to solve the pain points surrounding cross-border transactions and empower businesses of all sizes to operate anywhere, anytime.What's the future of the financial services industry?The financial services industry is undergoing a radical transformation, partly through the forces demanded by regulation, as well as the needs of consumers and small and large enterprises.New Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms can help to drive improved customer experience and business growth, and also could be the key to unlocking the future of the financial services industry.Increasingly companies are now investing in incorporating financial products and services into their core business models. To meet this rising demand for embedded finance, traditional financial institutions and challengers are increasingly offering BaaS options.But where do you start?James answers these questions and more, including how new banking platforms can empower a “talent anywhere” strategy for a reimagined workforce, allowing the best people to be hired no matter where they live, even if a company doesn't have a physical presence in that country.More on JamesJames on LinkedInAirwallex websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Finance, meet Sustainability. On this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Andromeda (Andie) Wood who is Vice President for Regulatory Strategy for Workiva. She is an expert in the role of technology in corporate reporting, taxonomy design and data modelling, and holds a wealth of knowledge and deep understanding of the impact of EU and UK regulation on global firms, particularly in the areas of corporate transparency and ESG. There is an undeniable global shift towards greater standardisation in reporting ESG initiatives across markets.As it stands, corporate reporting comprises the financial statements and management reports of companies, including non-financial and corporate governance statements, as well as country-by-country reporting. Under the new directive, reports would also include sustainability information.While new standards consolidate several diverse formats previously used for reporting on ESG progress, Andie explains why transforming standards will cultivate a more hygienic reporting culture that will champion ESG results.We covered a lot of ground in this podcast, such as:Push for improvement: These new standards address a worrying lack of clarity on how to report on sustainability, including information on methodology requirements, to more accurately highlight failure pointsFuture-proof ESG reporting: They will help businesses to mitigate challenges and prepare for the unknown by implementing processes that establish flexibility and controlAcknowledging that ESG plays a direct role in top-line growth: New standards establish critical business success factors, highlighting the role of ESG and encouraging businesses to integrate it into the overall business strategyMoving towards international comparability: An incremental, but mindful, transition towards transparent reporting will help to build up a rich history of reporting across regions which investors can use to better judge business progress, both individually and competitivelyThis was an interesting podcast and introduced me to the link between finance and sustainability.More on AndieAndie on LinkedInAndie on TwitterAndie's insights at WorkivaYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

The topics of Extended Reality (XR) and The Metaverse are becoming more and more popular. Once the sole domain of gamers, we are now seeing a range of corporate examples for XR, which are building interest in what's next for the space.To find out more, and understand what types of scenarios are right for these new platforms, I spoke with Thomas Bedenk from Endava.Thomas has over 25 years of experience in digital productions, focusing on Strategy, XR, and UX to support digital transformation across various industries. Past XR projects he led span from product design and training to marketing applications for internationally known brands. Thomas is a frequent speaker at international conferences, an advisor for start-ups, and a fixture at industry associations and events. His love for digital creation started when he was playing Pac-Man against his twin brother on the Atari 800XL, leading Thomas to develop his first own video game in 1996.We covered a number of topics including:The biggest challenge or opportunity in the XR space and what should businesses be doing to prepare for this?How the Metaverse has evolvedHow XR could be used for hybrid workingThe foundation of successful VR: Presence :  Agency :  SocialWhen VR is suitable - when something is Dangerous, Impossible, Counter-intuitive, or ExpensiveThe Importance of experimentation in XRThe IP issues around The Metaverse3 things brands should be doing to prepare for XRMore on ThomasThomas on LinkedInThomas on TwitterThomas at EndavaResources Mentioned"The Metaverse" By Matthew BallYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Generative Artificial Intelligence or Generative AI - is a relatively new term that is being mentioned a lot when it comes to AI chat engines such as ChatGPT and AI-generated art from platforms such as Midjourney.One of the industries that is most intrigued by this technology is the education sector.Plagiarism has been a problem for years, but now a tool like ChatGPT can write a whole assignment in seconds, what does this mean for the sector?To find out more, I invited back Dr Lynn Gribble, Associate Professor at University of New South Wales in Sydney, who has appeared on the podcast twice before - back in Season 1 to talk about the Future of People Management and in Season 2, spoke about Thriving in Uncertainty during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.She's back for Season 5 to talk about the impact of Generative AI tools such as AI on education – something I know Lynn and her peers have been debating since the ChatGPT was launched late in 2022.Lynn joined UNSW after a long corporate career in Learning and Development as well as Human Resources.Holding Masters qualifications in both Education with a focus on aligning personal and organisational values and Labour Law and Relations, Lynn's PhD looked at the effects of retrenchment on humans.We spoke about a number of issues related to Generative AI and education:The issues around plagiarism, ethics and integrity when it comes to using Generative AI in an education settingHow industries outside of education might use this new AI technologyHow are universities coping with the introduction of these tools into the mixHow Generative AI has the opportunity to provide equality for those that struggle with literacyLynn's 3 actionable tips for better understanding the power of Generative AIMore on LynnLynn on LinkedInLynn on TwitterLynn at UNSWResources MentionedChatGPTGrammarlyYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

New Year, New Season! Welcome to Season 5 of the Actionable Futurist Podcast.To kick off the new season, I interviewed Sophia Matveeva CEO & founder of Tech For Non-Techies.Sophia argues that you don't have to be a tech expert to found, run or work in a technology company at senior levels.Tech For Non-Techies is an education company and consultancy. Sophia has contributed to the Financial Times, The Guardian, and Forbes on entrepreneurship and technology, and hosts the top-rated Tech for Non-Techies podcast.Tech for Non-Techies teaches non-technical professionals how to Speak Tech and succeed in the Digital Age through corporate & individual training programs.As a non-technical founder, Sophia has co-created apps and algorithms that have been used by thousands, won App of the Day by Mashable, and was featured by Inc, the BBC, and more.She has also guest lectured at the University of Chicago, London Business School, and Oxford University, and led the Blackstone x Techstars accelerator at the University of Texas at El Paso.Sophia is a start-up mentor at the Chicago Booth Polsky Center of Entrepreneurship, and has advised leading accelerators including Chicago Booth's New Venture Challenge and the Microsoft x London College of Fashion incubator.She holds an MBA from Chicago Booth and a BSc (Hons) in Politics from Bristol. She speaks English, Russian and French. Sophia also sits on the Board of the University of Chicago's Alumni in the UK.We covered a number of issues related to being “Digitally Curious™” such asstarting a tech company without a technical backgroundthe need for digital literacy among senior leaderswhy it's important to build a bridge between technical and non-technical people?what it means to be a “digital collaborator”?These issues and more will be covered in Andrew's upcoming book, to be published by Wiley later in 2023.More on SophiaSophia on LinkedInTech for non-techies websiteTech for non-techies podcastSophia on Twitter Your Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

Environmental sustainability is often seen as just minimising the impact on a company's business model. Environmental expert Trevor Hutchings from Gemserv argues that companies need to strive to become net-positive, giving back more than they take out. Trevor is Director of Strategy and Communications at Gemserv and spent much of his early career in the UK civil service, working in a number of government departments and with the European Commission in Brussels, including positions at the Department of Energy and Climate Change where he was responsible for major programs on energy efficiency and the low carbon economy. He went on to join the World Wildlife Fund, the global conservation charity, where he was Director of Advocacy, working to improve public policy on the environment. As well as his role at Gemserv, Trevor is chair of the Green Purposes Company set up by the Government to safeguard the green mission of the UK's Green Investment Bank. He is also a Fellow at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.We spoke about a topic that has been in the news lately - that of the “right of repair” of technical devices and the whole notion of sustainability.We also spoke about how companies can realistically move towards net zero, or even net positive.More on TrevorTrevor on LinkedInTrevor on TwitterGemserv websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

My guest is cybersecurity expert Samantha Humphries. She has over 21 years of experience in cyber security, and during this time has held a plethora of titles, one of her favourites being Global Threat Response Manager. Sam has defined strategies for multiple security products and technologies, helped hundreds of organisations of all shapes, sizes, and geographies recover and learn from cyberattacks, and trained anyone who'll listen to security concepts and solutions. In her current role, she heads up marketing and security strategy for Exabeam in EMEA.She authors articles for various security publications, speaks frequently at industry events and enjoys mentoring new practitioners and speakers. Sam also volunteers at community events, including BSides, The Diana Initiative, and Defcon Blue Team Village.We discussed all things cybersecurity, password security, privacy screens, the future of cybersecurity, diversity and inclusion, and the skills gap in Cybersecurity.More on SamanthaSamantha on LinkedInSamantha on TwitterExabeam websiteYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

As an international lawyer, author and speaker,  Susie has worked on some of the most challenging legal and political issues of our time including human rights and security, combating corruption in the developing world, protecting human rights at borders, the human rights impact of climate change on small island states, privacy, cybersecurity, disinformation, data protection and neurotech. Her experience includes both judicial, and oversight roles in the UK and internationally.She has particular expertise on tech ethics and neuroscience through the lens of human rights, bringing both legal skills and a background in philosophy to the key ethical questions of our time.Her new book “Freedom to Think: The Long Struggle to Liberate our Minds” is a fascinating read and is available from Waterstones, Amazon, Australia: Trade Paperback, and Hardback.More on Susie can be found on her website.Your Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book

As a Futurist I get to explore new inventions and track the progress of all kinds of technologies. But how did we get so smart to be able to dream all of these things up? Until I interviewed Byron about his new book Stories, Dice, and Rocks That Think: How Humans Learned to See the Future — and Shape it I hadn't given this any thought.It is a fascinating read and looks at what makes the human mind so unique and also explores the three leaps in our history that made us who we are—and will change how you think about our future.Clearly, we humans are radically different from the other creatures on this planet. But why?Byron argues that we owe our special status to our ability to imagine the future and recall the past, escaping the perpetual present that all other living creatures are trapped in.Envisioning human history as the development of a societal superorganism he names Agora, Reese shows us how this escape enabled us to share knowledge on an unprecedented scale, to predict—and eventually master—the future.Thoughtful, witty, and compulsively readable, Reese unravels our history as an intelligent species in three acts:Act I: Ancient humans undergo “the awakening,” developing the cognitive ability to mentally time-travel using languageAct II: In 17th century France, probability theory is born—a science for seeing into the future that we used to build the modern worldAct III: Beginning with the invention of the computer chip, humanity creates machines to gaze into the future with even more precision, overcoming the limits of our brainThe book is a fresh new look at the history and destiny of humanity, you will come away from Stories, Dice, and Rocks that Think with a new understanding of what they are—not just another animal, but a creature with a mastery of time itself.We also discussed:What is a Futurist?Why Byron wrote the bookThe structure of the book into 3 actsPascal's 1654 moment on reasoning & ProbabilityHuman brain capacity in 1654 vs nowThe 21 told storiesThe power of storytellingAre we being overloaded with stories?What about "fake news" and untrue stories?Act 3: The rocks that thinkWhat will the next 50 years look like?Where will AI help us innovate?The half-life of a job2001: A Space OdysseyActionable advice for predicting your futureMore on ByronByron's websiteByron on TwitterBuy the bookYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches ...

Quantum physics has already changed our lives, thanks to the invention of the laser and the transistor, both products of quantum theory. Almost every electronic device we use today is an example of quantum physics in action. I believe we may now be on the brink of a second quantum revolution as we attempt to harness even more of the power of the quantum world. Quantum computing will impact many sectors, including healthcare, energy, finance, security, and entertainment. However, significant practical challenges must be overcome before this level of large-scale impact is achievable.One of the companies at the forefront of this revolution is IBM.To better understand Quantum Computing, its advantages and its uses, I spoke with Richard Hopkins, an expert in this field.Richard is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and Fellow of the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering.  He was also the nineteenth President of IBM's Academy of Technology. Richard became President after 25 years of field experience as an IT Architect.We covered everything from Quantum 101 right through to how Quantum might help solve some of the world's biggest challenges - a fascinating episode for anyone who has heard of Quantum and wondered - just what is it? We also covered:What is Quantum Computing?How does a Quantum Computer work?When did IBM's involvement in Quantum start?What is “Quantum Advantage”?The era of “batch computing” is here againWhen would you need to use a Quantum Computer vs a standard computer?The limitations of Quantum ComputersEdge computing and QuantumWorking together as an industryRichard's journey to working in QuantumBecoming “digitally curious”The future Quantum jobsNon-technical roles in QuantumSectors that can benefit most from QuantumThe IBM Quantum networkIBM's Quantum roadmapAI and QuantumThe risk of Quantum and encryptionThe need to be “cryptographically agile”The good uses of Quantum ComputingThree actionable actions to better understand the promise of QuantumResources mentioned in this episodeSpeakers for SchoolsIBM Quantum ComputingThe Eisenhower MatrixThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanMore on RichardRichard on LinkedInRichard on TwitterRichard Hopkins RobotsYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and replays of recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com follow @AndrewGrill on Twitter or @andrew.grill on Instagram.

In keeping with the renewable energy theme, and on the back of my 2 part series on the Genpact Envision Racing partnership, this podcast features Shell Recharge solutions.We will hear from Euan Moir about how they expanding their electric vehicle recharge network across the country into homes and offices, but also looking to the future, when national electricity grids will be able to deliver as well as receive energy from electric vehicle batteries. I first came across the Shell Recharge brand when I discovered an electric vehicle charging location in Fulham at a revamped Shell facility in west London.We also covered:Shell Recharge Solutions overviewHome, work and on-the-go solutionsTowards the target of net-zeroGateway to the broader Shell businessEV Driver survey report resultsAugmenting the existing infrastructure for smart chargingNational Grid capacity for EV chargingHow smart charging worksUsing charging data to provide better servicesThe change in driver behaviour requiredThe ability to sell energy back to the gridUsing renewable energy to charge EVsNew property considerations for EV chargingWhat's the future of EV charging?Innovation at Shell Recharge SolutionsHow is Shell using the data collected?Green number plates in the UKThree actionable things to better understand the benefits of sustainable mobility solutionsResources mentioned in this episodeShell Recharge SolutionsEV Driver Survey Report 2022Emotion by designLast.FMMore on EuanEuan on LinkedInYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and replays of recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com follow @AndrewGrill on Twitter or @andrew.grill on Instagram.

We know that technology is rapidly changing and it seems heard to keep up sometimes. We're told that we need to become lifelong learners and this is hard for most of us that lead busy lives, but how does the CEO of a 100,000 person company valued at over $4Bn keep constantly learning?This is a question I posed to Tiger Tyagarajan, CEO of leading professional services company Genpact on the latest episode of the Actionable Futurist® Podcast.He is one of the industry leaders who pioneered a new global business model and transformed a division of General Electric (GE Capital International Services) into Genpact, a global professional services firm delivering digital transformation solutions for clients. Genpact has more than 100,000 employees and annual revenues of $4 billion USD as of December 31, 2021. Tiger was appointed as Genpact's chief executive officer in 2011 after serving as chief operating officer.I was a guest of Genpact at the London E-Prix held last weekend at EcCeL London as they sponsor the Envision Racing Team.As I learned in part 1 of the series when I interviewed Chief Digital Officer, Sanjay Srivastava this sponsorship goes way beyond having the logo on the car.Tiger explains in his episode how the partnership came about, and learnings to date. We also explored a range of other areas in our 35 minute chat including:How has Genpact changed in the 22 years Tiger has been thereThe story behind Tiger's nameTips for being a lifelong learnerUsing podcasts to facilitate continuous learningRe-skilling and upskilling at GenpactEmpathetic LeadershipBuilding leaders in a remote environmentThe Future of work - People. Place. PurposeThe importance of purposeHow the Envision Racing Team partnership came aboutUsing AI within Genpact to help clientsKey learnings from the Envision Racing PartnershipLearnings from the other Envision Racing sponsorsKey learnings from the pandemicWhat Tiger looks for in new employees & jobs of the futureTiger's involvement in Catalyst & the importance of diversity and inclusionThree actionable things to become a lifelong learner I've enjoyed getting up and close with the Formula-E cars, and also seeing how they are literally defining the future of electric vehicles, from energy management, battery design, power., braking, regeneration and overall awareness that there is a path to sustainable transportation.Thanks to Judith Schunke - head of Genpact Marketing EMEA and also their CMO, Stacy Simpson for making the day so enjoyable, and Liam Rawson and the team at The Hoffman Agency.Resources mentioned in this episodeGenpact websiteWinning Redefined: Genpact's involvement with Formula-ECrossing data and AI: The Genpact and Envision Racing storyEnvision Racing TeamMore on TigerTiger on LinkedInTiger on TwitterYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and replays of recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com follow @AndrewGrill on Twitter or @andrew.grill on Instagram.Disclaimer: This podcast was a paid partnership with Genpact. I was solely responsible for the content of the podcast.

Our guest is world-famous and while you may not heard of her, you may have heard her voice!Aussie-born and now back in Australia, Karen Jacobsen's speaking voice is in over 1 Billion GPS units and smartphones worldwide giving directions.From a single voice-over booking, she created her empowerment brand “The GPS Girl”, teaching the five directions for “recalculating" in business and life.An award-winning Singer and Songwriter, Karen's musical career highlights include sharing the bill with Norah Jones, Neil Sedaka and Christopher Cross and singing the national anthem at major sporting events including 80,000 people at the Giants Stadium for the New York Jets.A TEDx speaker, Karen has enjoyed wide media coverage including the NBC Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, the CBS Early Show, The New York Times, NY Daily News, Glamour magazine, being named one of People Magazine's Most Intriguing People and she hosted her own web series "Navigating New York with The GPSGirl".Karen's voice is in demand in the studio as a Voice-Over artist recording customised voice systems and advertising campaigns and in-person as an entertainer and speaker for Corporate events around the globe.As an Author, Karen's book "The GPS Girl's Road Map for Your Future” gives direction for getting more of what you want in business and life.We covered a range of topics includingKaren's Hero: Olivia Newton-JohnHow Karen became "Aussie Karen" in SiriHow the recording process workedHow Karen uses voice interfaces in real lifeWill AI replace the human voice assistant completely?The time Karen found out she was the voice behind "Aussie Karen"Karen's Son's reaction to his mummy being in her phoneKaren's most interesting voiceover jobThe GPS Girl and corporate audiences on recalculatingTransferrable skills from a signer to a corporate presenterThe new reality of performing in a post-covid worldAdvice for people wanting to perform as a singer or speaker and how to build confidenceTips for improving your public speakingHow Karen recalculated in March 2020Karen's new life in The Whitsundays, AustraliaThe blueprint for a real ambassadorThe magic about The WhitsundaysThree Actionable tips for recalculating your next destinationResources mentioned on the showA Passionate Life - Ita ButroseTourism WhitsundaysOlivia Newton-JohnMore on KarenKaren on LinkedInKaren on TwitterKaren's Music WebsiteThe GPS GirlYour Host: Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and replays of recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com follow @AndrewGrill on Twitter or @andrew.grill on Instagram.