The problem is obvious, AI is a tool but we need new practices to deliver value using it. Practices are developed by Trail Blazers in Communities of Need that are focused on solving problems but Communities of Solutions dominate with thought leaders selling solutions… normally themselves.

Any practices that are developed need to be done by practitioners satisfying all stakeholders, especially management and leadership. Leaders need to be able to demonstrate a “Risk Adjusted Return on Capital” for the investment in AI tools and practices. Technology leaders need to be able to demonstrate to business leaders that investments are delivered in a way that is optimizes efficiency, effectiveness and risk. New practices will only emerge if leaders manage risk, rather than create a Failureship which is risk averse.

Practices using AI tools need to be learned by individuals and organisations. New practices and behaviour only propagate if people value them. We only change our practices and behaviour if those closest to us also adopt them.

Thought Leaders are actually laggards who are last to the party and research has shown that they delay and distort the learning of communities, preventing them from achieving the wisdom of clouds. It is time to embrace trail blazers in the community of needs, and kill the thought leaders in the community of solutions. The Goldfish Bowl is a structure to facilitate sensemaking between trail blazers so that they can discover the Wisdom of Crowds.

These are the links that provide the detail behind the ideas discussed in this talk.

Note – My personal favorite is the 2011 talk by Paul Adams which is years ahead of its time.

The Problem

  1. Communities of Needs and Communities of Solutions
  2. Maturity Mapping
  3. AI

Leaders and Governance

  1. Measuring Success
  2. Failureship

Learning

  1. Individual Learning
  2. Value

Leadership in Communities of Need / Solutions

  1. Thought Leaders prevent the Wisdom of Crowds
  2. Trail Blazers
  3. Servants of the Community