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 AI
• Responsible AI in practice
• Getting started with AI
• Why GenAI needs an intelligent approach to adoption
• PWCs own tool - ChatPWC
• What are customers asking about Generative AI?
• What are AI Co-Pilots?
• AI Strategy and Execution Challenges
• The need for an AI Council to help co-ordinate activities
• What do clients need to look out for with AI projects?
• Common challenges faced in integrating AI
• Safe, short experiments
• AI Applications and Data Quality
• The quick wins for AI projects
• The need for quality AI-ready data
• Without good data, there is no good AI
• Industry-specific LLM's
• AI Industry Trends and Applications
• The most unique problems solved by AI
• Podcast tip - using AI for language translation
• Preparing the workforce for Gen AI
• Addressing employee issues around AI deployments
• Future Work Trends and Emerging Tech
• The need for critical thinking in the age of AI
• The future of work under AI
• Emerging technologies to watch
• How to stay informed on new technologies
• 3 actionable tips to prepare for Enterprise AI

More on Darshan
Darshan on LinkedIn

More on Julia
Julia on LinkedIn

Resources mentioned in this episode
The PWC Essential 8 Technologies
PWC website
"I am Flame" book on Amazon

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Lyons

Nicki 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 LinkedIn

Resources mentioned in the show
Ann Patchett Tom Lake book
Vodafone UK Website
Vodafone and Three website

More on the report
Vodafone press release about the report
Download the report

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 daily
• Boomer Facebook usage has increased 20% over the last decade, with around 66% of boomers currently using it
• Gen Z and student Facebook usage has decreased compared to 10-20 years ago, though around 66% of Gen Z still use it
• Half of 13-14 year olds are on Facebook, despite declining usage among younger generations
• TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular platforms among children
• Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger – the top 4 platforms in the UK
• 15% of UK residents purchase secondhand items online weekly
• Around 50% of Brits use eBay for selling items, 25% use Facebook Marketplace, and smaller percentages use sites like Gumtree
• Three quarters of Millennials and Gen X in the UK use Facebook, with stable usage over the last 10 years
• Instagram ranks as the 4th most used social media platform in the UK, used by around 60% of people
• Facebook Messenger ranks 3rd for pure messaging platforms in the UK
• iMessage overtakes Messenger among younger Gen Z
• 96% of Gen Z in the UK use at least one Meta platform like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp
• Boomers’ Facebook usage is up 20% in the last decade

More on Jason

Jason on LinkedIn
Jason on Twitter

You can listen to the episode with GWI Tom Smith here.

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Chris

Chris 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 Linkedin

Connect with Chris on Twitter

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Mark
Mark on LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned
Red Hat Connect London  7 November 2023
The Age of AI - Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel Huttenlocher

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 FMCG

In 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-forum

Resources mentioned in this episode
Steve on LinkedIn
Sign up for the Dell Technologies Forum

This was a sponsored podcast in partnership with Dell Technologies.

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Jaeger
Jaeger on LinkedIn
Jaeger on Twitter
Luminance website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Umesh
Umesh on LinkedIn
Umesh on X

Resources Mentioned
Jolt Effect, The: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision
Uniphore website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Peter
Peter on LinkedIn
Peter on Medium
Aigo website

Peter 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 Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Anton
Anton on LinkedIn
Imagination website
Trust 3.0 website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 as

• The concept of "streaming trust" & how SSI works
• Sovereign identity & worker onboarding
• Trusting the trust provider
• The need for secure, trusted digital wallets
• Using SSI to validate my LinkedIn profile
• Exploring the Concept of Verifiable Data
• Empowering consumers with their own data
• The role of AI with SSI & personal data
• SSI drivers: risk, cost, fraud reduction
• Where do I store my SSI data?
• The Philosophy of Self-Sovereign Identity
• Examples where SSI is working already
• Self-Sovereign Identity and AI Explorations
• Embedding trust with the supply chain
• AI uses in SSI
• Empowering Individuals with Self-Sovereign Identity
• Who needs to drive SSI adoption?
• The biggest challenge in SSI
• What are the steps to take to control my own data?
• Being more data literate and caring about your identity and online safety
• Three actionable steps to manage your own identity

More on Marie
Marie on LinkedIn
Marie on Twitter
Marie's blog
Marie's TED talk

Resources mentioned
1Password

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Impact
• Chat GPT’s definition of a futurist
• What is Generative AI?
• Why AI is so popular now
• The risks of using Generative AI
• Why ChatGPT so confidently provides incorrect answers
• How ChatGPT actually works
• ChatGPT data sources
• Is ChatGPT that useful?
• The “magnet of mediocrity”
• Where is Generative AI being used?
• The “enthusiastic always-on intern”
• The need for critical thinkers
• The responsible use of AI
• Challenges and Considerations for Generative AI
• The AI black box problem
• The challenges for regulation around AI
• Can we trust AI?
• Regulation areas for AI
• Government response to AI regulation
• Are you involving your risk department around AI?
• Recruitment considerations for AI teams
• The future of Generative AI
• Enterprise AI Implementation
• EnterpriseGPT challenges
• Will AI provide us with more free time to be creative?
• Actionable items for tomorrow
• Your two tribes and the opportunity for a hackathon
• Why AI comes at a cost
• Is your data “AI ready”?
• Will AI replace human creativity?
• Adobe’s AI products
• Accenture’s use of AI generated imagery in a report
• Generative AI will drive more creativity

Audience questions included

• Who is responsible for ensuring AI training data is valid
• Will AI disrupt or strengthen the economy?
• The environmental impacts of Generative AI
• The difference between human emotional intelligence & creativity and replicating this
• As Generative AI improves, will it become more creative?

Episode Resources
More on

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Isabel
Isabel on LinkedIn
DEPT Website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 FRMCS
• Unique benefits of the Nokia approach
• The opportunity for FRMCS to become a global standard
• 5G's use in Rail Networks
• New services unlocked by FRMCS
• Transitioning to new FRMCS services
• What 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 networks

More on Jochen
Jochen on LinkedIn
Nokia FRMCS solution website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

Andrew's Social Channels
Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 generations
• How technology impacts each generation
• Technology adoption across the generations
• Encouraging older generations to become digitally curious
• Generational Impact on Workforce Dynamics
• The Generations and the future of work
• The impact of hybrid working in each generation.
• Hybrid Work, Employee Experience
• Where does wellness fit into the modern workplace?
• The importance of “employee experience”
• Future Employment Culture and Impact
• The need for re-skilling the workforce
• The impact of Generative AI on the workforce
• Enterprise GPT impacts
• Advice for leaders to attract and retain talent
• What is the future of work and how do we get there?
• Three actionable tips to better understand the changing workforce

If 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.

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McCrindle Research

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
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Keynote speeches here
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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 Ethics
• Stephanie's experience with AI
• The biggest issue in AI Ethics at the moment
• Dealing with algorithmic bias
• The issue with AI regulation
• Highlights of working for Google, Deep Mind and X
• Advice for graduates working in tech
• How can AI be used for good?
• Dealing with the hype around Generative AI and ChatGPT
• Humanity’s problem of fact vs fiction
• The problem with ChatGPT
• Open-sourcing the truth to train AI
• Should AI development be halted?
• Stephanie’s essays
• Love and AI
• The role of empathy in AI
• The link between AI and self-worth
• The hysteria in the AI industry
• Are we building AI on the wrong paradigm?
• The opportunity for AI
• The need for ethics and integrity in AI
• Where will the next phase of positive innovation come from?
• AI’s love letter to humanity
• Will AI take our jobs?
• How does AI compare to previous innovations?
• Are you worried about AI?
• Three actionable tips to better understanding AI opportunities & threats

More on Stephanie
Stephanie on LinkedIn
Aestora website
Stephanie’s Essays

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 models
• The implications of bad decisions when AI is involved
• The role of regulation and AI ethics
• The ethical challenges Governments face with AI
• How can we trust AI systems
• Involving the Chief Risk Officer in AI discussions
• Where to go to learn more about ethics AI issues

Many 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 Gaurav
Gaurav on LinkedIn
AtScale website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Learning
• Where Generative AI fits in the AI family
• What the “GPT” in ChatGPT means
• How ChatGPT actually works
• Chat GPT3 vs ChatGPT4
• Is 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 ChatGPT
• Does ChatGPT have a political bias?
• The power of Generative AI for company data
• How Cybercriminals could be using Generative AI
• Heather’s work with clients at UST
• Generative AI predictions in 1, 3 and 5 years
• Three actionable things to better understand AI systems

More on Heather
Heather on LinkedIn
UST Website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 time

2. 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 Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 change

She also recommended an excellent book during the quickfire round, so you must listen to the end.

Resources mentioned in the show
Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

More on Hannah
Hannah on LinkedIn
Cascãd website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Andrew'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 John
John on LinkedIn
Zuora Website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 workforce

5G 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 Shahid
Shahid on LinkedIn
NTT Global on Twitter
NTT at Mobile World Congress 2023

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 Mark
Mark on LinkedIn
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Mark’s Landrover Sandy on Instagram
Mark on Twitter
The Hoffman Agency website
The World for Sale book

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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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 marketer
• The secret to building sustainable & profitable growth plans
• The one common mistake that start-up CEOs make
• The specific characteristics of high-growth companies
• Advice for early-stage start-ups

More about Maya
Maya on LinkedIn
Maya on Twitter
Marketing Cube Website

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew'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 adaptability

2: What’s next for loyalty?

3: The importance of work intangibles

4: AI is now in people’s hands for creativity

5: Digital wallets: a question of adoption

This 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 mentioned
Accenture Life Trends Report 2023
Dom Price, Work Futurist at Atlassian Podcast
Dr Lynn Gribble on the opportunities for Generative AI in Education
Solid Project at MIT

More on Katie
Katie on LinkedIn
Katie on Accenture.com

Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Keynote speeches here
Andrew's upcoming book