The Tech Tales of 2023

AI's Last Mile of Human Judgment

As AI becomes more prevalent in decision-making, Hollis Robbins of Anecdotal introduces the "last mile" - the gap between algorithmic recommendations and human judgment. While AI promises inclusivity, it may create inequality if human insight becomes a luxury.

Bridging Skills Gaps with AI

A study from MIT's Center for Information Systems Research reveals how AI can help companies identify and address skill deficiencies. This "skills inference" technology has increased professional development participation by 20%, unlocking strategic workforce planning opportunities.

AI's Enterprise Revolution

Ben Thompson of Stratechery likens AI's enterprise adoption to the surge of computing in the 1960s. While consumer applications and employee productivity often dominate discussions, Thompson argues that AI's transformative impact will echo mainframe computers' revolutionizing of back-office operations.

AI's Growing Power Through Scale

Ethan Mollick of One Useful Thing presents AI development using "scaling laws" - the observation that larger AI models outpace smaller ones. He introduces a generational framework for understanding AI and suggests future advancement through both model size expansion and extended "thinking" time during operation.

A New Approach to Technology for Boards

Tarun Khanna, Mary C. Beckerle, and Nabil Y. Sakkab of Harvard Business Review advocate for dedicated board technology committees. They believe boards need to shift from defense to offense by identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, and fostering core technology development.

Cloud Regression: The Strategic Repatriation of Workloads

Mary K. Pratt of CIO.com highlights the growing trend of companies moving workloads back from public clouds to on-premises environments. Concerns over cost, data privacy, and compliance have prompted this "repatriation," leading to more nuanced cloud strategies that optimize workload placement.

A Wake-Up Call from Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

A devastating attack in Lebanon, where pagers were rigged to explode, has exposed vulnerabilities in global electronics supply chains. Experts urge organizations to address this growing challenge, potentially driving efforts to relocate critical technology manufacturing domestically.

The Lessons from Past Failures: Y2K, CrowdStrike, and Systemic Vulnerability

Zachary Loeb of TIME compares the CrowdStrike software update failure to the Y2K crisis, highlighting the dangers of systemic vulnerability. Both incidents underscore the need to address shortsighted thinking and over-reliance on interconnected systems that can create cascading disruptions.

Gates' Lingering Influence in Microsoft's AI Journey

An investigation by Ashley Stewart of Business Insider reveals that Bill Gates remains influential at Microsoft, especially in AI strategy. Despite leaving the company, he quietly orchestrates Microsoft's AI transformation, including a crucial partnership with OpenAI.

Finding the Practical Applications of AI

Benedict Evans of ben-evans.com suggests that widespread AI adoption faces technical limitations and use-case discovery. He posits that AI may follow SQL's path, becoming an underlying technology used in countless specific applications aimed at solving particular problems.