This year in AI
If you've been reading nerd processor over the last year, you know I've spent a lot of time thinking about the AI transformation of work. For instance, we've talked about why most AI projects fail before they start. I explained why, in an AI world, people mistakes are costlier than ever. And we've talked about the economics of AI companies and whether things are sustainable.
I am a builder at heart, so I've also written about my own use of AI. In reviewing my public speaking, AI told me to smile more. We looked at 1,125 highly biased images that ChatGPT generated of people at work. I shared how I do and do not use AI in the making of nerd processor.
Finally, I've written a lot about the impact that AI is having on jobs. We looked at the data behind the new roles in AI that are showing up in today's job market. I also outlined three roles I think every enterprise will have by 2030.
If you follow me on LinkedIn, you may understand why I've been thinking so much about jobs in AI: it's because I just took one. I recently joined Microsoft as the VP of AI Transformation.
Wait, what? You took a job?
Since stepping back as Textio's CEO, I've spent time on a variety of things. Naturally there is the nerd processor newsletter and everything that goes into it, but there's other stuff too. I've spent time in venture at Operator Collective. I have coached dozens of founders and executives. I built an email course in data storytelling and have taught numerous workshops on these skills. I've written about 80% of a memoir about my childhood. I even started a basketball program for middle school girls.
All told, I've worked (almost) as hard as I worked when I was a CEO. Nearly all of it has been joyful work, and a lot of my time has been focused on AI in one form or another.
On the whole, it has been a fun couple of years. But last spring, my perspective on how I was spending my time began to change. One day, I had back to back calls with three outstanding operators in AI. As we talked through their business challenges, I experienced a feeling I haven't felt in years: jealousy.
Honestly, I wanted to be in their shoes. I was tired of just talking about building; I wanted to go back to actually doing it. The time off had done its trick. I was ready to focus on something substantial.
Back to Microsoft, huh?
There was just one problem: I knew I was ready to focus, but I didn't know what I wanted to do. I felt impatient, but I didn't want to jump into the wrong thing, so I took my time figuring it out. Over the last six months, I've talked to many friends and business leaders who have been exceedingly generous with their time.
I considered founding another tech company. I considered starting an organization focused on teaching kids entrepreneurship skills. I explored ten operating opportunities and seriously considered offers for five of them. As I considered my next move, the opportunities I found most exciting were focused on helping large companies transform their own operations with AI.
In the end, I felt that Microsoft was the right place for me to do this work. Microsoft is at the leading edge of AI and the reinvention of work, especially in the enterprise. Not only that, I started my tech career there 21 years ago and I understand how the company works. Finally, the more time I spent with the leadership team, the more I felt that I would be able to get real work done with a set of partners motivated to make progress.
But wait, there's more
Someone asked me the other day if I will still publish nerd processor. The answer is yes, of course. I will keep writing about AI, business, and the future of work every week. I will keep collecting and sharing original data. Now that I’m back to building and not just talking about building, it ought to be more interesting than ever.
On to the next chapter!
Kieran
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