David Fernandez Vinuales

As our #NextGenerationDigitalStrategies is coming to an end, reflecting on another terrific day. After a deep dive on competing in the shadow of #BigTech, we've had the privilege of great fireside chats (complete with a digital fireplace! 🙃 ). First, we discussed with Ahmed Galal Ismail, the Group CEO of Majid Al Futtaim, about how a company with its roots in the "old world" economy can address its deficiencies in terms of data availability and understanding of the customer, how it can align its ecosystem partners (in particular, tenants in its malls), and how it should structure its own corporate structure and work with partners outside its boundaries. Next, we hosted François Candelon, who led BCG Henderson Institute and drove its impressive AI/GenAI work till recently, and is now in a PE firm seeking value from AI investments and investments in AI, to help us think about AI and GenAI in conext, and also help us think about what lies ahead. We then had a fun, and as ever intense discussion with Cristina Caffarra about the role of regulation in the digital realm, and what we all (and Europe in particular) should do to shape our world. And finally, it was fun to host this diverse, interesting class of 17 nationalities from all five continents at the magnificent setting of the Reform Club, and listen to Lord Holmes, an inspiring multi-gold medal Paralympian swimmer, introducer of the AI Regulation Private Bill in the House of Lords (and altogether wonderful human being!) and enjoy good company, vigorous discussion with good food and wine. Today wrapping up our whirlwind course with a terrific discussion with Nnenna I., who drew on her work as an advisor (with Accenture and AlixPartners, COO at dentsu) and now a CEO seeking to transform a business, taking us over the "how" of digital transformation and leadership, and with the presentations of our executives, working in teams to rethink strategy and advantage using digital technology. Thanks to Evolution Ltd colleagues Yuri Romanenkov, Nick Pusnakovs, Justinas Šukys, M. Dalbert Ma Georgios A., and especially London Business School's Peta Sadler for able support in making this happen! #amazingspeakers #valuedfriends #connectingwithpractice #researchmeetsreality

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The future of AI isn't a sudden leap, but a steady climb. INSEAD experts predict a fusion of rule-based and neural systems, promising enhanced accuracy and broader knowledge. Yet, the holy grail of human-like AI remains elusive. What's your take on AI's evolutionary path? #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfTech #AIEthics #InnovationTrends #TechLeadership

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Vinod Khosla's TED Talk on "12 Predictions for the Future of Technology" is a must-watch for anyone interested in the potential of emerging technologies to transform our world. As a renowned venture capitalist and technology optimist, Vinod Khosla outlines a bold, exciting, and thought-provoking vision. Some of the key takeaways that resonated with me: - Thanks to AI, Expertise will become nearly free and widely accessible. Khosla envisions a world where everyone can access virtual doctors, tutors, and experts across domains at minimal cost. This democratization of knowledge could be genuinely transformative. - Labor will be largely automated, with billions of robots doing more work than all human labor today. While daunting, Khosla argues that if handled with empathy and proper redistribution, this will free humanity from servitude and create abundance. - Computers will become ubiquitous utilities that adapt to humans rather than vice versa. His vision of a seamless human-computer interaction is powerful. - Breakthroughs are coming in medicine (preventative healthcare), food production (alternative proteins), transportation (autonomous transit), energy (fusion power), and carbon solutions. Khosla makes a compelling case for these advancements. I admire Vinod Khosla's willingness to dream big and challenge conventional wisdom. He states that experts often fail to anticipate radical progress because "they don't think of the improbable." His call for more "foolish" entrepreneurial thinking to make the implausible possible is inspiring. While not all of Vinod Khosla's predictions may come to fruition, his talk gets you thinking expansively about the potential for technology to reshape our world in unique ways. I highly recommend watching it and allowing it to expand your perspective on what's possible. #TedTalk #AI #Futureishere https://lnkd.in/dXVy4YD4

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So proud of our first article together in Harvard Business Review where I, Kamal Munir, Shaz Ansari and Amal Zahra pitted OpenAI's GPT 4o against human CEOs in strategize.inc's digital twin, The Electric Car Revolution. GPT 4o outperformed humans on nearly every metric, but could not beat them on long term sustainability as it grew over confident. The article is based on the science and research we put behind #Dojo, our Strategy Meta Grid that pits LLMs against each other in a digital twin of a company's ecosystem. Cambridge Judge Business School University of Cambridge Samsurin Welch, PhD Siraj Ahmed Shaikh Amna Khalid Pinar Ozcan Stanford University Graduate School of Business Harvard Business School Institute of Business Administration Lahore University of Management Sciences MIT Sloan School of Management Shanghai University INSEAD Esade IMD Saïd Business School, University of Oxford Discribe Hub Andy Dunn Caltech Princeton University

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I loved connecting with my friend and collaborator, Professor Karim Lakhani from Harvard Business School, on the Masters of Scale podcast. We geeked out a bit on the incredible ways #AI is reshaping how we work and the very nature of productivity. Karim, with his usual brilliance, shared a powerful vision of an AI-powered future where humans aren't replaced but empowered. He talked about an example of a tech company using a "3-1-0" framework: 3 minutes to complete a task on a platform, 1 minute for approval, and zero human intervention, advocating for a whole new way of thinking about business, productivity, and even capital. What really excites me is how Karim challenges us to move beyond the old way of thinking about "economies of scale." He encourages us to embrace the concept of "economies of scope" too. As he so eloquently put it, businesses aren't just about scaling up; they're about three things: scale (creating value), scope (capturing value), and learning (delivering value consistently). It's a framework that can help us reimagine how we build and run our organizations in this new AI-driven era. But what truly inspired me was Karim's optimism and belief that AI can benefit everyone, not just a select few. He sees AI as a tool to tackle global challenges and make our lives better in so many ways. It was a powerful reminder that we're at the beginning of something truly transformative. The choices we make now will shape the future of work and business, but also our performance and productivity. I'm curious! How are YOU using AI in your everyday life? Listen to the full conversation on Masters of Scale to learn more about: - How to cultivate a culture of AI innovation within your organization - The critical role of leadership in navigating the AI revolution - Practical steps you can take today to harness the power of AI https://lnkd.in/efTJziu5 Capital One

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Consumer VC Landscape 2024: Your Ultimate Playbook Even with a market cooldown, consumer VCs are investing. They’re fueling the next wave of tech, marketplaces, and D2C startups at seed and pre-seed stages. Here's the kicker: Zehra Naqvi at Headline has mapped most of the power players in this space. Making it easier for founders to cut through the noise and find the right partners. Whether you're building in consumer tech, prosumer tools, marketplaces, or D2C, these firms are actively writing checks and supporting visionary founders. The Heavyweights in Consumer VC 1. FJ Labs: → Focus: Marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. → Investment Stage: Seed to Series A. → Ticket Size: $50k–$5M. → Highlighted investments: Coupang, Momos, Flexport. 2. True Ventures: → Focus: Early-stage technology startups, with +$3.8 B under management. → Investment Stage: Pre-seed to Series A. → Ticket Size: $500K –$3M. → Highlighted investments: Peloton, The Way, Fitbit. 3. Forerunner: → Focus: Consumer-first startups, especially in the D2C and lifestyle sectors. → Investment Stage: Seed to Series A. → Ticket Size: $1M–$10M. → Highlighted investments: Glossier, Daydream, MindTrip 4. Pear VC:  → Focus: Software, AI, healthcare, IT, and SaaS startups, with additional focus on consumer tools. → Ticket Size: $100K –$3M. → Highlighted investments: Heap, OnRamp, Orby AI. Why This Matters - Founders: If you’re building something bold in the consumer space, these are your go-to doors to knock on. - Investors: This map helps you spot trends and future opportunities in the sector. < Save this post. Share it. Bookmark it.> Navigating the consumer VC landscape in 2025 starts here. Big thanks to Zehra Naqvi for creating a resource that helps founders find funding and the right partners. 🐼 Follow Suad Fakih for more insights! 👻 Repost for others interested in the space!

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In recent months, we have seen a significant expansion of Large Language Models (LLMs) beyond web-based chatbots and into enterprise-grade formats and applications, indicating progress towards a future where AI seamlessly integrates into our everyday life. As we continue to transition from personal LLM use cases and towards more professional solutions, I see three features as critically important to driving value in the enterprise: interoperability with vertical applications, edge computing, and resource efficiency. Read more in my latest AI Atlas: https://lnkd.in/eMhDA6f9

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🚀 Exciting read alert! Discover how AI, through deep learning and advanced models, is revolutionizing our understanding and enhancement of emotional intelligence. 🧠💡 #AI #EmotionalIntelligence #DeepLearning Check it out and let's discuss how AI can shape the future of human empathy and decision-making! 🌐🤖

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💪💡Wisdom is learning from past mistakes from others but also oneself. Retrospection with action is powerful. An insightful weekend read from the WSJ… Christopher Mims shares his list, from 10 years of covering consumer tech for the The Wall Street Journal: ( link here: https://lnkd.in/eKj2wX_t ) 1. Disruption is overrated. 2. Human factors are everything in tech adoption. 3. People lie to themselves… and to you. 4. Tech bubbles are productive, even if wasteful. 5. We’ve got more power to shape how tech impacts us. Some of my list, from 25 years of early stage consumer internet investing and operating: 1. Tech disruption is overestimated in the short run, underestimated in the long run. (Amara’s Law) 2. Social proof is powerful in tech adoption. 3. Hope kills. Execution is everything. 4. Run towards tech bubbles. 5. Tech optimism empowers positive change.

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Hey all 👋, I finally got around to editing the PMF workshop (yes, please hype me up for just doing my job). Thanks again to #founders Mina A. Leonel Lacayo and Monica Vespe Lincoln for sharing their startups and building in public! Grab the video or sign up to be notified of the next workshop at the link in the comments. —— Want to a stress test your #startups Product-Market Fit? Get the free PMF workbook at the link in my profile and make sure your #marketing and #branding are minimum viable for your stage of growth.

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The First-Ever AI Beauty Pageant Get ready to witness a very interesting event in the digital world - the inaugural "#MissAI" beauty pageant! This isn't just any competition; it's a celebration of artistry, innovation, and the evolving intersection of technology and beauty. 👁️ What's Happening? "#MissAI" is the world’s first AI beauty pageant, set to crown the most impeccably designed virtual influencer. These AI-generated contestants are judged not only on their digital allure and poise but also on the technical prowess behind their creation. The competition extends beyond mere aesthetics, evaluating their online influence and the creators' engagement across platforms like Instagram. 💡 Behind the Glamour: The pageant is part of the World AI Creator Awards, aiming to become the Oscars of the AI creator economy. According to fanvue co-founder Will Monanage, this event is set to spotlight the talents driving the future of digital content. 💰 Stakes Are High: The winning creator behind #MissAI will bag a $5,000 cash prize, promotional opportunities on fanvue, and PR support worth over $5,000. With the top three spots all receiving awards, the competition is fierce! 📅 Mark Your Calendars: The virtual victors will be announced on May 10, with an online ceremony following later in the month. 🌐 Why It Matters: As #AI continues to blend more seamlessly into our daily lives, events like #MissAI highlight both the potential and the challenges of this tech-driven future. 🤔 Food for Thought: As we embrace these innovative creations, it's crucial to ponder the broader implications they hold for society and the future of digital interaction. What does authenticity mean in an increasingly virtual world? Find out more here - https://www.waicas.com/ #AI #Innovation #MissAI #BeautyPageant #ArtificialIntelligence

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In an era where innovation outpaces regulation, how can entrepreneurs embed social responsibility into the DNA of their startups? 🌐💡 Recent conversations and insightful pieces, particularly one by Lyel Resner and Dr. Wilneida Negrón, have sparked a profound consideration in my thinking: the imperative for responsible innovation in tech ventures. They posit a tantalizing question - what if the tech giants of tomorrow were built on the foundations of public interest and social responsibility today? Diving into this thought experiment reveals more than just an ethical proposition; it opens up a paradigm where businesses can be both profitable and purposeful. Embedding social responsibility from the outset could guide ventures to prioritize long-term societal well-being over short-term gains. Imagine a future where companies are not just evaluated by their financial performance but also by their contribution to solving societal issues. The notion is ambitious but certainly not unattainable. This approach challenges us as entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to rethink our roles in shaping the future of technology. It's a call to action to pioneer a new wave of responsible businesses that are equipped to address, rather than exacerbate, global challenges. Let’s discuss: How can we as part of the startup ecosystem integrate these principles into our work from day zero? Your thoughts could light up paths not yet traveled. 🚀🌍

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Over the past week, several significant funding announcements have been made by hyperscale cloud providers, totalling approximately $300 billion in projected capital expenditures for 2025. 📍 Amazon: Expected to invest $96.4 billion. Microsoft: Projected to allocate $89.9 billion. Google: Plans to spend $62.6 billion. 📌 AI infra is more than just compute - energy use and its pressure pressure on traditional data centers and energy grids, means huge investment in power and transformer upgrades. 👏 Compute Capacity is needed now... not in 3, 4 or 5 years. 🚀 Redsand Ventures is pioneering the shift towards sustainable computing which is decentralised. Distributed compute clusters leverage renewable energy and reduce carbon footprints, offering a resilient and scalable alternative. Read our latest blog for more on this - https://lnkd.in/eS88SHc8 #DecentralizedComputing #SustainableTech #GreenInfrastructure #RenewableEnergy #AIInfrastructure #FutureOfTech #EcoInnovation #DigitalInclusion #ComputeSustainability #RedsandVentures Sandeep Dama

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The secret to successful AI implementations? Worker voice When stakeholders become more involved in generative AI design and implementation, it’s more likely that such tools will augment work rather than displace workers. As organizations begin to understand the capabilities and effects of generative artificial intelligence, a group of MIT experts hopes a new framework for technology design and implementation will inspire leaders to include worker voice in their decision-making. In a new paper, “Bringing Worker Voice Into Generative AI,” the researchers explain that generative AI is “well-suited to bottom-up development and use.” They also contend that the more that stakeholders are involved in defining the problems and opportunities the technology can address, “the more likely it is that these tools will be used to augment how workers do their jobs rather than displace them.” The paper was written by Thomas A. Kochan, Ben Armstrong, Julie Shah, Emilio J. Castilla, Ben Likis, and Martha E. Mangelsdorf, all of MIT. It draws on more than 50 interviews with academics, business managers, AI experts, and labor leaders and is also guided by the researchers’ earlier work. “I know from prior work that I’ve done in automation and robotics, the most successful applications of automation were those where the engineers were working side by side with those on the shop floor or those with the domain expertise,” said Shah, professor and department head at the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, in an interview. “The opportunity here is to follow that same playbook so that generative AI can have the positive outcomes that we hope it will have.” Here’s a closer look at the four stages of technology design and implementation where leaders should solicit input from their workers. https://lnkd.in/dPdYanTW By Meredith Somers

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"AI beats humans on some tasks, but not on all." In this week's #RadicalReads, I share key takeaways from the 2024 AI Index Report:

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A warm thanks to Andrea Kates for the energizing fireside chat at the DECODE Innovation Conference. I love the symbiosis of our different approaches to transformation, and how aligned we are about this fact: growth playbooks pale in comparison to intuition and focusing on the company’s unique core. Companies need to follow their own path to break through. If you haven't yet, add Andrea's "From Stuck to Scale" (available early next year) to your TBR list. Her framework for "productizing" your way to scale pairs smoothly with my focus on getting lean and focused before attempting breakout growth. It's affirming to see how different lenses to getting unstuck lead to similar truths about transformation.

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I would like to know why #OpenAI doesnt publish calls for challenges so the larger community can participate. I think, OpenAI should consider publishing such calls for challenges and proposals to engage the global #AI community. This approach would: Harness Diverse Expertise: Tap into the valuable perspectives and ideas from the broader AI community. Drive #Innovation: Uncover novel applications and potential limitations. Build #Trust: Promote transparency and accountability in AI development. By implementing an open innovation program with periodic calls and a transparent review process, OpenAI can enhance collective intelligence, ensure responsible AI development, and reinforce its #ethical #leadership.

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