ON_Discourse

“The ON_Discourse AI Transformation Summit is the antidote to epic stories about AI transformation.” The discourse about AI transformation is too big, vague, and theoretical. We want to steer the discourse on AI transformation in a new direction. We want to solve small. Learn more and request an invite: https://lnkd.in/dKEeiq3i The ON_Discourse Summit is designed to distill epic stories about AI transformation into practical strategies for every role in the C-Suite. Unlike typical AI conferences, this event is cross-functional, hands-on, and focused on "small transformations" that drive real impact. #AItransformation #AI #solvesmall

Don’t listen to us, listen to… …Code and Theory’s Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Dan Gardner. Dan is one of the original provocateurs. In addition to his history at Code and Theory, he is also the Co-Founder of ON_Discourse, and in this summit he will be combining his experiences from both companies. He has spent the last two years in deep conversations about AI transformation with every kind of executive leading every kind of industry. Eventually he realized that almost all of those leaders are thinking about AI in an unproductive way. Dan’s Lead Provocation Small, tactical investments in AI will lead to big impact Some Context The general talk about AI is exclusively focused on workforce changes and IT investments. That framing makes AI feel too big and technical to do anything about. In addition to that big framing, the constant churn of AI breakthroughs are turning the technology into a commodity. But Where’s the Discourse? You know what isn’t a commodity? Your company culture. You can make small investments right now - today - that will unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and growth from your teams if you think of AI less as a technology and more as a culture. Is he right? Catch his keynote - and our real-time response to it - at the ON_Discourse Summit on March 26. https://lnkd.in/ecmc3tJE

Henrik Werdelin has a knack for provocations. After all, he coined the term ‘donkeycorns.’ In this ON_Discourse article, he reflects on the unintended consequences of AI polishing. Do you agree with him?

Don’t Listen to Us, Listen to Them Announcing Our First Round of Summit Speakers No one comes to ON_Discourse events to hear us speak. Our role is to provoke the real experts—the executives who are actually leading AI transformation inside the enterprise. Request an invite to attend → https://lnkd.in/ecmc3tJE These leaders aren’t chasing AI hype. They’re making real, tangible investments that are delivering business impact today. We call that solving small, and we’ve built a summit around their stories. On March 26, we’re bringing together a lineup of executives who are doing the hard work of implementing AI inside some of the world’s most influential organizations, including Don McGuire, CMO of Qualcomm, Katherine von Jan, Founder and CEO of Tough Day and Mark Howard, President and COO of Time Inc. and Dan Gardner, Founder and Executive Chairman of Code and Theory and Co-Founder of ON_Discourse. In our latest article, we reveal the first round of speakers and why their approach to AI transformation is different. Read it here → https://lnkd.in/eh9Vdz55

We are thrilled to welcome Jorge Hurtado, VP of Product & Innovation at Banco Guayaquil, as one of our newest members at ON_Discourse. Jorge is a visionary leader in fintech, driving transformation in the banking industry by redefining customer experience. His mission is to transform an Ecuadorian bank into a regional benchmark for customer experience, setting it apart in a highly competitive industry. Under his leadership, his team has turned Banco Guayaquil’s mobile banking app into the best-rated in the country and highly competitive with leading banks in the region. “ON_Discourse isn’t just another business network—it’s a place where real conversations turn into actionable insights. As I navigate AI investments, the evolving payments landscape, and the future of banking, I’m looking forward to learning from leaders who’ve tackled similar challenges in more mature markets. I value spaces where discussions go beyond surface-level trends and actually push my thinking, and I see this community as an opportunity to do just that. More than anything, I appreciate the chance to build real connections—ones based on shared curiosity, not just networking. If you’re looking for a community that helps you ask the right questions, not just find quick answers, this is the place to be.” We look forward to the insights and perspectives Jorge will bring to our discussions around AI, banking, and the future of digital finance. Welcome to the discourse, Jorge!

Solve Small is a big deal. This week's newsletter looks at a little idea that combines agentic and generative AI into a new way to think of entrepreneurship and venture capital. Yesterday was the era of unicorns (big). Today is the era of donkeycorns (small). Subscribe to join the discourse. https://lnkd.in/enBsabTG

The ON_Discourse Summit is a culmination of 18 months of closed-door events about AI Transformation. It is designed to address the most common and pressing matter we hear from our members: the discourse about AI is too epic to be actionable. Everyone knows it is a critical investment, but few know what to do next. This is not just a digital matter. AI transformation will affect every division of an enterprise which means every role in the C-Suite will need a clear direction. It leaves many leaders stuck. What is the best first step you should take? Here’s the issue: AI is too big to “do.” It needs to be broken down into small functions, frameworks, and features that can solve real business problems today. The ON_Discourse Summit will explore, provoke, and examine a wide variety of small investments that are happening in the market now. It will leave you with a firm grasp of realistic ideas you could deploy immediately. It’s big ideas in small packages. This is why we are calling it: Solve Small. Request an invite: https://lnkd.in/ecmc3tJE

We’re honored to welcome Don McGuire to the ON_Discourse network. Don is SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Qualcomm, leading global marketing as the company expands beyond mobile. He oversees corporate communications, advertising, brand management, product marketing, partner strategy, and data science. Previously, McGuire led Qualcomm’s Global Product and Technology Marketing, driving innovative campaigns and partnerships. With 25 years of experience across mobile, OEM, content, and semiconductor industries, he has held leadership roles at Intel, Amp’d Mobile, Kyocera, Leap Wireless, and Sprint PCS. Recognized as one of Forbes’ World’s Most Influential CMOs for three years, he was also named to the 2024 Forbes Entrepreneurial CMO 50 list. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Chico, and attended an executive program at Stanford’s Schwab School of Business. In addition to his various career accolades and accomplishments, Don has also been a leader in AI transformation at Qualcomm. In the past year he’s been instrumental in leveraging artificial intelligence to craft technology-driven marketing experiences, positioning Qualcomm at the forefront of innovative marketing strategies. We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Don this past year, having seen him speak at Web Summit, Lisbon and recently at CES where he led a session that explored the ways that AI is shaping marketing transformation and creativity.

This week's newsletter draws inspiration from one of the most famous ads in history. AI discourse is too big, vague, and theoretical. We need to... Think Small. Read it all the way through and you'll learn some exciting news about an upcoming event we'll be hosting. More on that later... https://lnkd.in/enBsabTG

Our Head of Discourse Matthew Chmiel will be reviewing our CES findings for the ANA in NYC on Feb 19.