John Robson: Politicians Should Speak Frankly, Not With Empty Words
One of life's paradoxes is how you can improve something until it's ruined. From Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose, rebuilt to such a peak of Renaissance naval architecture and weaponry that on firing a massive broadside she capsized, to artificial flavour in artificial food to AI writing and reading your emails for you, we find ways to progress onwards and upwards to ruin. Including the latest in political rhetoric.
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Business Insider
01-07-2025
- Business Insider
8 tech executives told us the top skills you need in the age of AI
Whether you're just entering the workforce or decades into your career, chances are your job is evolving — or will be soon. A recent Salesforce study suggested that with agentic AI adoption expected to grow 327% by 2027, chief human resource officers expect to re-deploy 23% of their workforce in the next two years. While 61% of the workforce is expected to stay in their roles, those jobs are also expected to change, the report said. Some tech CEOs still believe that foundational knowledge in areas like coding remains important. However, other skills are rising in importance and reshaping what it takes to thrive in the workplace. In January's World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, 86% of employers said they believe that technological advancements will transform their businesses over the next five years. This shift is projected to result in a decline in some roles and growth in others, while also increasing demand for skills in AI and big data, cybersecurity, and technological literacy. Business Insider asked eight tech executives about the top skills job seekers — and all employees — should have in the age of AI. Here are three tips they shared: Be a generalist The age of the Renaissance person may be returning. Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar told Business Insider in an interview that the world is shifting toward an era where "deep expertise will be less valued." He said those who merge specific knowledge in one domain with technological capabilities will be more relevant than those with narrow expertise in one area. Kumar said that a history major who can leverage AI tools to apply historical insights to future scenarios, for instance, will be a stronger historian in today's market than someone who can solely speak to a historical period. Similarly, Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince told BI that as cybersecurity is increasingly embedded into other platforms, the company is focused on recruiting talent with a diverse skillset. "We're trying to find people who have a broad set of skills and can be general," Prince told BI. Other cybersecurity executives have also previously told BI that while foundational skills in data and IT are important, soft skills and adaptability are key to the job. Focus on fresh ideas When many executives talk about AI tools, they emphasize the expectation that employees will have more time for "deep work." Dropbox VP of product and growth Morgan Brown defines this as uninterrupted time dedicated to "expansive thinking" about new ideas. "The quality of ideas that we're going to be able to get people to think about because they will have time — rather than just tactically going out and fixing bugs — might actually enhance not just the output capacity, but also the satisfaction that someone gets from a job," Cisco executive Jeetu Patel said in a recent conversation about shifts in engineering. Brown added that with AI efficiency gains, product rollouts are moving at a much faster pace, which allows employees to turn ideas into reality more quickly, Brown said. Cisco executive vice president and chief customer experience officer Liz Centoni echoed the sentiment in a March interview with BI. She said that being able to think creatively is vital. "I want someone in there who's sitting with the subject matter experts who can not just understand the problem, but look at how can we creatively craft a solution," Centoni said. Get good at using AI tools Most people know how to ask ChatGPT for answers to basic questions, but prompt engineering is a more complex skill. Google Cloud executive Yasmeen Ahmad told BI that people need to know the kind of questions to ask, what kind of data is available, and how to craft their queries effectively. Successful workers will be able to "interact with these new-age tools and be able to prompt to engineer and ask the right questions and interact in this flow that hasn't been there before," Ahmad said. Google Cloud CTO Will Grannis told BI that to stay current, employees need to look "beyond the formal curriculum." That means following your curiosity and using available AI tools to "vibe code," or use AI to generate code. While prompt engineering is important, he said job seekers need to be skilled in context engineering as well, which means knowing the larger systems at play. AI literacy also requires effectively interacting with agents, said Salesforce talent executive Lori Castillo Martinez in a recent interview with Business Insider. The executive told BI that employees need to know when to use agents and how to communicate with them. Patel also told BI that orchestrating agent workflows is a crucial skill that will be "super important." That includes assigning work to agents and overseeing their progress.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- USA Today
According to Milan Kordestani, AI Will Usher in a New Renaissance (If Humanity Works Together)
Artificial intelligence is driving a global transformation on a massive scale, creating both opportunities and uncertainty. According to Forbes, 41% of companies are reportedly planning workforce reductions due to AI, causing leaders to predict an impact similar in scale to the Industrial Revolution. The ripples of such a profound shift in mindset will touch nearly every person and industry in some way. Milan Kordestani, founder, investor, product manager, and author of Moonshot Moments, believes this moment in history is akin to a new Renaissance, one that will only flourish if humanity embraces an era of cooperation to guide the development of AI. He acknowledges the nervousness many feel when contemplating the rise of intelligent machines, but views this as an opportunity to temper humanity's collective anxiety. 'So much of our meaning and purpose comes from the work we do to overcome different challenges in life,' he says. 'The idea of machines taking over so many of the things that give us purpose presents a unique challenge. Unfortunately, many people are letting themselves get overcome by a feeling of hopelessness that they are going to lose their jobs and their agency because of AI.' Embracing a Renaissance Mindset However, Kordestani proposes responsible techno-optimism. He believes that AI can unlock human potential for higher-order cognitive functions, creativity, and complex problem-solving if its development is approached collaboratively. 'What we're facing right now is what I like to call a 'moonshot moment' — a time when humanity as a whole is pushing what's possible to seek amazing achievements,' Kordestani says. 'We're in an age that certainly has many potential challenges and pitfalls, but the choice is ours in how we respond to them. Humanity has the potential to craft an incredible future, but it all comes down to how we approach that future.' The development of responsible AI tools and systems demands strong collaboration between researchers, developers, and possibly even governments. Experts from various fields must collaborate to establish robust ethical standards and development approaches for AI that yield positive social outcomes. Navigating this AI-driven transformation also demands a serious focus on mental health. Fears of job loss fueled by AI are perhaps most prevalent, but these concerns aren't the only ones raised in the current economic environment. Concerns about the evolving understanding of what it means to be creative in a rapidly changing world will create genuine psychological pressures. Supporting individuals through this change and fostering resilience is a shared responsibility. Addressing Future Challenges While artificial intelligence is fueling much of the conversation about the future, it is far from the only reason why Kordestani believes humanity is at a crossroads. He believes that global challenges require supra-national solutions that push the boundaries of cooperative science. 'Gradual improvement hasn't been and still isn't enough to move us in the right direction. We need big transformations that help us develop new ways of thinking and solving problems. Whether it be through using AI to unleash smarter productivity or embracing psychedelic-assisted therapy — including FDA-approved options like esketamine for psychiatric use — to enhance creativity and emotional resilience, many of the things we fear or distrust can become valuable tools for successfully navigating this crossroads moment.' Already, AI is being put to the test and is being used to transform how organizations address global challenges. Kordestani's optimistic view is that the right path forward is to embrace tech advances in support of dramatic positive change. The Cooperative Imperative Looking ahead, Kordestani holds that global cooperation isn't just a nice idea; it's essential. 'If we want to protect our future and unlock humanity's full potential, we need to take proactive steps to achieve it,' he notes. 'It's going to require work, particularly in the form of global cooperation, to develop robust ethical frameworks for governing AI and other tech. Collaboration will be key to establishing the regulations that define the ethical use of AI and ensure it is utilized in a manner that contributes to societal well-being. True collaboration and a willingness to embrace new ideas are what will help us pick the right path forward.' The implications of this AI-powered era extend far beyond just new gadgets and smarter customer service. New forms of intelligence cut to the core of what it means to be human, how societies are structured, and what gives purpose to each individual. As Kordestani explains, as AI becomes more integrated into humanity's daily lives, the ability to adapt, work together and prioritize mental well-being will determine if this new era can truly become what he hopes will be a renaissance for humanity. Humanity is only at the beginning of a long AI journey filled with both uncertainty and potential. How the global community chooses to engage with AI will shape the technology's collective impact. Don't be surprised if there is some turbulence ahead, Kordestani warns. However, with a proactive and unified effort grounded in ethical development, humanity will be better positioned to harness AI's positive impact on humans now and in the years to come.
Business Insider
27-06-2025
- Business Insider
Afrik Foundation wants to change how Africa funds its future
Co-founders James Saruchera and Jean-Marc Bourreau believe decentralized finance can unlock Africa's renewable energy and AI potential, all on Africa's own terms. That idea became Afrik, a digital platform that uses blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) to fund green energy, AI infrastructure, and digital connectivity without needing traditional banks. 'Afrik evolved from a text called The Black Paper,' they explain. 'It describes the current state of Africa's development and what urgently needs to be done to avoid imbalances even worse than during colonial times.' Their timing feels urgent. By 2030, AI could use as much power as Japan does today. Meanwhile, Africa holds vast untapped renewable energy potential. 'AI needs Africa because the biggest bottleneck isn't code—it's power,' they say. 'Africa has enough renewable energy to power the world eight times over from clean sources.' Afrik isn't just about raising money. It's about how money moves and who controls it. The platform uses blockchain smart contracts to create transparent, borderless funding channels for projects that would typically struggle to get capital. 'The best technology is invisible and removes complexity,' says Saruchera. 'Afrik can pay into bank accounts and mobile wallets in over 20 African currencies, so for suppliers, it feels like business as usual. Meanwhile, on-chain records make everything auditable and transparent without any learning curve.' Saruchera's experience spans technology, the arts, and economic development. He says that mix is intentional in how Afrik is built. 'Throughout history, human progress has often come when these disciplines work together—think of the Renaissance,' he explains. 'Art lets us imagine a better future. Technology is the tool to get us there faster. Economic development improves people's quality of life.' Afrik is already lining up over $2 billion worth of projects across Africa. The goal is to focus on the continent's strengths, like renewable energy, AI infrastructure, and supercomputing. 'AI is the best opportunity this century to close Africa's development gap,' Saruchera says. 'Computing power applied locally can transform food production, medicine manufacturing, and advanced industry.' Jean-Marc Bourreau has spent years advising governments on aviation, infrastructure, and economic development. He says Afrik grew out of seeing the limits of traditional finance models up close. 'Government advisory work is about improving livelihoods and creating jobs,' he says. 'Afrik does that too, but goes beyond advice by bringing real financing to projects that improve people's lives.' Bourreau also says policymakers have a critical role in helping platforms like Afrik succeed. 'We need sovereign digital identity systems, e-KYC standards, and clear legal definitions for digital assets, smart contracts, and DeFi protocols,' he says. Afrik's promise is not just transparency but real financial independence. Bourreau explains that the platform can reduce dependency on foreign aid or volatile external currencies. 'Afrik offers open, permissionless, and programmable financial infrastructure,' he says. 'Communities and entrepreneurs can access global capital directly without gatekeepers. Our pan-African token is backed by real-world assets and can help hedge against local inflation or currency instability.' In the long run, the founders see Afrik as a way for Africa to leapfrog old banking systems and build something better from the ground up. 'We want to enable a bottom-up economic renaissance powered by inclusive finance and the latest technology,' Bourreau says. 'A pan-African system that isn't tied to banking models that don't work for the continent.' Or, as they put it simply: 'We have the renewable energy. We have the creativity. Now we need the means to fund our own future, on our own terms.'
