By 2030, We Irresistibly Connect With AI. What Then?

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking." -Steve Jobs

This week:

When a cereal bowl is like the culture and vision of a company, and the cereal you choose makes up all the initiatives that make or break the brand. - Watches from Fashion to Wellness. - It's 2030, and we've connected with AI. Now, some of the things that will change everything. - The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) says no to investing more in Canada, creating other risks. - Ten things that keep bureaucrats up at night, and it will affect us as well. - An uneven global recovery from inflation. - Echo Chambers, prompted by the quote from Steve Jobs, the risks of being caught in one.

The Markets

Nvidia did not disappoint. AI is not a shiny new thing. It is a real thing that is growing. I can't say the same for all industries. Over the next ten years AI will be the driver for growth. Not all startups will succeed in this category, and not all companies will deploy AI effectively. The masters of AI are already known; a few more may surprise us. However, the global economy will be defined by AI. You see the difference between AI and ecommerce is that AI is far more reaching from an industrial perspective. And even if you think never, I respectfully disagree.

Personal Log: Watches Are A Statement of Fashion And Wellness

This isn't about smartwatches; this is about our healthcare systems. They are prime for an upgrade and, likely, in many countries, a serious upgrade that even the most dedicated hypochondriacs might appreciate. But it starts with high-tech watches for a reason.

We used to wear watches to tell time and then show off a fashion piece—at least a few can. However, today's fashion statement concerns smartwatches monitoring health and wellness. In fact, just a few minutes ago, I went outside to check on the pool, making sure the pump wasn't filled with leaves. I pushed the door hard on the Cabana, and my Apple Ultra 2 smartwatch asked if I was okay; it sensed that I had fallen hard. I didn't. Now, if my dad were still alive, this would have been perfect for him in his 80's because the watch wanted to know if I needed emergency services.

Now, here's what many of these smartwatches will do, and it isn't just Apple. They will monitor your heart rate, do an ECG, measure blood oxygen and VO2 for runners, measure sound decibels, calories, steps, distance, speed intervals per/km, and sleep; some will do blood pressure and much more.

If the pandemic taught us anything, we wouldn't need to visit doctors if all the tests they do can be done from our homes except radiology and blood work. When we can do all of this in a far more convenient way, then at some point, robotics will do the x-rays and MRIs, and AI can provide you with a diagnosistic assessment and whether or not you need to see a real doctor. Now, you may think this is absurd and that these tests are complicated. No, they are not. We humans make them that way. However, we are all being weaned in that direction with technology. I am okay with that if it means we free up emergency rooms for real emergencies, and the visit with the doctor is only necessary if your tests warrant an immediate appointment.

If you think this is preposterous, you won't want to hear that AI and Robotics are already being used in hospitals or that AI is having very fast pharmaceutical breakthroughs. I believe that a watch can tell an asthmatic person that their blood oxygen is low and they should get help or if someone may be having a heart attack or had a fall. We would be irresponsible to discard this technology to safeguard an outdated system. But for this to all work, the entire healthcare system has to stop being afraid of change and focus on saving more lives.

Technology: It's 2030. We've connected with AI, and here's what's next.

The relationship between humans and technology has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. As we near 2030, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) begins into our daily lives it will create an unprecedented level of connectivity, efficiency, and innovation. The journey from the inception of AI to its current state is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of progress. What our eyes and minds will experience will be looked back upon in history as we will be the AI Generation.

The Road to 2030: Envisioning the Future

Here are several key trends we will see...

1. Hyper-Personalization: AI will enable hyper-personalized experiences across various sectors. In education, personalized learning paths will cater to individual strengths and weaknesses. In healthcare, treatment plans will be tailored to each patient's genetic makeup and lifestyle and, of course, in retail customer experiences.
2. Enhanced Human Abilities: AI-driven augmentation technologies will enhance human capabilities. Wearable AI devices will monitor health in real time, predict potential issues, and suggest preventive measures. Cognitive AI assistants will support decision-making processes, making us more efficient and informed.
3. Ethical AI Frameworks: As AI becomes more integrated into society, ethical considerations will take center stage. By 2030, robust frameworks governing AI ethics, transparency, and accountability will be established, ensuring that AI serves the greater good and respects human rights. The EU usually leads the way, and other nations follow.
4. AI in Governance: Governments will increasingly adopt AI to improve public services. Predictive analytics will help in disaster management, resource allocation, and policy-making, creating more responsive and efficient governance structures.
5. Sustainable AI: The focus on sustainability will drive the development of energy-efficient AI systems. AI will be critical in monitoring and mitigating environmental impacts and promoting sustainable practices across industries.
6. AI and Creativity: The fusion of AI and human creativity will result in unprecedented artistic and scientific achievements. AI will assist in generating new ideas, optimizing creative processes, and exploring uncharted territories in science, medicine, art, music, and literature.
7. Competitive Landscape: Organizations will be driven by real-time decision-making. It may be one of the most challenging human development and adaptation steps, primarily because businesses will be competitive and in need of responsive capabilities.

Conclusion: Humans remain the most capable biological machines on this planet. Every AI query starts with our needs. As we witness progress, our rational thinking will overcome fear and recognize the need for even greater speed in achieving meaningful advancements. If you were expecting robots, you might see them in factories. As for EVs in every driveway, not until we realize that the prophet was really taking profit from those who don't want you to believe in climate change.

Retail Strategy: What Strategic Cereal Is In Your Retail Bowl

What Cereal is in Your Retail Bowl?

In the dynamic world of retail, the initiatives you implement significantly impact your success. Think of these initiatives as different types of cereal. Much like breakfast cereal can be wholesome, indulgent, simple, or complex, retail initiatives range from innovative and technology-driven to traditional and customer-centric. However, it’s crucial to consider what you add to your bowl and the bowl itself—your culture and brand—which supports and encapsulates all your initiatives.

The Bowl: Culture and Brand

Your retail bowl, comprising your culture and brand, is fundamental. It attracts customers and employees by providing a sense of identity and consistent experience. A robust retail culture creates an environment where employee motivation is high, and customer satisfaction is a priority. Meanwhile, your brand serves as the public persona of these cultural values, communicating your mission and ethos to the wider world. This bowl must be durable, well-crafted, and consistently reflective of the values and expectations of your customers.

The Cereal: Varied Retail Initiatives:

1.???????? Customer Experience Innovations: Enhancing the customer experience is akin to drizzling honey over cereal—it sweetens the deal. This might include AI personalized shopping experiences or seamless omnichannel capabilities.

2.???????? Sustainability Practices: Sustainability is increasingly crucial. Incorporating sustainable practices, from responsible sourcing to eco-friendly packaging, can shift public perception and customer loyalty, much like adding nutritious seeds to cereal boosts its health benefits.

3.???????? Technology Integration: Applying technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain can streamline operations and enhance customer interactions, similar to how dried fruits enhance cereal.

4.???????? Employee Empowerment: Providing training programs, fair compensation, and a supportive workplace ensures employees are well-equipped and motivated. That’s like adding protein-rich nuts to cereal for a more satisfying meal.

5.???????? Localized Assortments: Adapting product offerings to local tastes and preferences makes a retail store resonate more deeply with its audience, much like choosing the right type of milk for cereal.

What cereal is in your retail bowl? The answer should involve a strategic mix of initiatives that cater to customer preferences and are supported by a strong, cohesive culture and brand. This synergy ultimately determines whether your retail strategy is fulfilling and successful.

Economy: Global Inflation Recovery

The recovery rate from inflation is as erratic as our recovery from the pandemic. It will be uneven and may likely leave some nations behind. However, the US, China and India will have a more robust recovery. In other words, according to the IMF, disinflation remains problematic around the world. Read this report. We can expect change, but not as fast as consumers and businesses want. And, of course, there are wars on two fronts. In Canada, retail sales for March were only 0.2%, and the only sectors that had an increase were the auto sector and building and gardening materials. All other segments were down, with furniture and electronics down by --1.6 %, as were the clothing and accessory sectors, closely followed by sporting goods at -1.5%. Read the report here.

PESTEL - The Issues That May Keep You Up At Night

Canadian bureaucrats gathered and listed about 35 risks Canada could face as a nation. Of course, these risks are not limited to Canada; they are similar threats all Western nations face, and we see signs of them beginning like a small brush fire. The report is here on a CBC Update

Here is the top 10 list. A wider graph reveals more risks, ranking them in terms of timeline and likelihood. In my opinion, all of these are interconnected, and they start with numbers 1 and 10.

1. People cannot tell what is true and what is not (3 years)

2. Biodiversity is lost, and ecosystems collapse (7 Years)

3. Emergency response is overwhelmed (6 years)

4. Cyberattacks disable critical infrastructure (4 years)

5. Billionaires run the world (5 years)

6. Artificial intelligence runs wild (6 years)

7. Vital natural resources are scarce ( 8 years)

8. Downward social mobility is the norm (5 years)

9. Health-care systems collapse (6 years)

10. Democratic systems break down (6 years)

Politics: Invest in Canada only? CPP Says No!

Should we stop whining about domestic investment in Canada? CPP Canada's Pension Plan has only 12% of its funds invested in Canada, a country that represents only 3% of the Global GDP. Not too long ago, your personal investment portfolio could not exceed 20% foreign investments in this country. When they opened up that door, we all created greater wealth. So what is the problem? Investors are looking for higher returns and more robust growth. And they don't see our resources and infrastructure growth as the future. Does that mean that they do not believe in Canada? No! It means that Canadian businesses and industries are not leading the way globally. We are insular with oligopolies in most major sectors. So, if the Canadian government were to deploy policies on foreign investments, Canadian pensions and private investors would likely suffer from a lack of sufficient growth. Here is the Wall Street Journal Article.

At the end of the day - "Echo Chambers"

Over the next three weeks, I'll be attending conferences—not to speak but to listen and learn. It's vital to hear from true authorities in their fields. Expertise, whether in technology, medicine, leadership, or retail, can't be faked.

For me, authenticity and credibility are non-negotiable. I have always been troubled by those pretending to be something they are not. Over the past decade, I've taken numerous executive courses on AI, Data Analytics, and Machine Learning and read extensively on these subjects. I don't consider myself an expert. However, I am very knowledgeable; I've authored white papers on POS systems and have had IT reporting to me, so I know what I want AI (technology) to do for a company.

In a world where AI evolves overnight, many presentations are created without that evolution and insights. We refer to that as living in an echo chamber.

I will be at Retail Council of Canada Store 2024, Big Data & Analytics Canada and Collision Conf . If you are attending, let me know, and we can catch up.

You can reach me at [email protected] for advisory, speaking engagements, conferences and corporate events.