Shape of Tomorrow

Episode 189 - Two Very Different AI Stories. One Very Important Future.

This week on *Shape of Tomorrow*, I'm exploring two very different AI breakthroughs that I believe are pointing toward the same future. First, I unpack Anthropic's new **Fable 5** model and explain why it may represent a major step toward AI systems capable of autonomous, long-horizon work. Then, I turn to **Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD)** technology and what it reveals about AI's growing ability to perceive, reason, and act in the physical world. Together, these developments offer an important glimpse into how AI is evolving from a tool that assists us to a system that increasingly performs work alongside us.

Episode 188 - Smarter AI, Smarter Growth

This week on Shape of Tomorrow, I take a closer look at two topics that have been occupying my thinking. First, I unpack the latest advances from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. While much of the conversation around AI focuses on benchmarks and model comparisons, I believe the more important story is the emergence of systems that can plan, coordinate, monitor, and execute increasingly complex work. We are moving beyond AI as a tool that simply responds to prompts and toward AI that can actively participate in getting work done. I explore what these developments mean and why I think many leaders still underestimate the significance of what is unfolding. In the second segment, I respond to a thoughtful question from a reader about revenue diversification. How do you create new revenue streams without diluting your core offering or confusing the market about who you are? I share some of the principles I use when evaluating growth opportunities and explain why the most successful diversification strategies tend to build on existing strengths rather than moving away from them. Two very different topics, but both are highly relevant for leaders trying to navigate uncertainty, make better decisions, and position their organizations for the future.

Episode 187 - Your Questions, My Answers

This week on Shape of Tomorrow, I'm taking a different approach and answering questions submitted by listeners and readers. We explore how organizations can build trust in their data, separate AI reality from marketing hype, prioritize the right initiatives, and connect technology investments to meaningful business outcomes. If you're navigating the challenges of strategy, innovation, data, or AI, this episode offers practical perspectives and frameworks to help you make better decisions with greater confidence.

Episode 186 - The Great Repatriation

This week on Shape of Tomorrow, I explore what I’m calling The Great Repatriation, the quiet but potentially massive shift of AI away from the cloud and back toward organizations themselves. Most people see this as another hardware announcement. I think it points to something far more important. In this shorter episode, I unpack why AI sovereignty, local intelligence, and owning your own “AI factory” may become one of the most important strategic decisions organizations make over the next few years.

Episode 185 - Building an AI Roadmap When Budgets Are Tight

In Episode 185 of Shape of Tomorrow, I explore the growing disconnect between the AI conversations happening at conferences and the realities organizations are facing inside boardrooms and budget meetings. I break down how I think leaders should approach AI roadmaps when budgets are constrained, pressure is high, and credibility matters more than hype. I walk through a practical framework focused on small, measurable experiments that can prove value within 90 days, rather than massive multi-year transformation initiatives. Along the way, I discuss KPI-driven thinking, sponsorship, data readiness, pilot design, and how organizations can build long-term AI capability through disciplined experimentation and strategic focus.