Bright Shiny Objects: David Armitage on Innovation, AI, and the Future of Work with Co-Host Henry Lewisohn

In this visionary episode of Career Conversations with Chris, host Chris Wachuta and co-host Henry Lewinsohn sit down with David Armitage, a visionary entrepreneur who has spent decades at the forefront of technology. From pioneering 3D GIS systems to inventing the world’s first wireless internet tablet, David has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. Now, he’s leveraging AI to tackle challenges in mental health and software development, all while battling his self-proclaimed Bright Shiny Object Syndrome. 

Key highlights from our conversation with David:

• Early Exposure to Tech: Learning FORTRAN at IBM labs as a child and coding alongside a young Bill Gates in the early days of BASIC.
• Inventing the First Wireless Tablet: How Qubit won CES Product of the Year in 2001 but fell victim to market timing, funding challenges, and an unexpected legal battle.
• The Power of Gamification: How David’s company Cardasite reduced vehicle crashes by 60% through a real-time driving score system, saving lives in high-risk industries.
• AI’s Impact on Software Development: Why AI is revolutionizing coding, allowing individuals to build full-fledged applications in hours instead of months.
• The Future of Jobs: How AI is disrupting white-collar industries faster than blue-collar ones, and why problem-solving and architecture are now more valuable than coding.
• Raising Millions vs. Maxing Out Credit Cards: The wild story of how David maxed out 36 credit cards to save his first company, and why he’s now attempting to build a company with zero funding and no employees.
• AI for Good: How David is developing AI-driven companions for dementia patients, an AI-based therapist coaching tool, and an AI-powered web app store to help independent developers share their creations.
• Patent Wars & AI: Insights into patent law, the challenges of defending intellectual property, and why AI is rapidly changing the landscape of innovation.
• The Challenge Is On: David, Henry, and Chris are now competing to see who can build the most successful AI-driven business in 2025 with no funding and no team.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, entrepreneur, or just fascinated by innovation, this episode offers a front-row seat to the future of AI, software, and business.

Join Chris, Henry, and David for an eye-opening conversation that will challenge how you think about technology, entrepreneurship, and the power of curiosity.