#86—David Shrier: The Accelerated Adoption of AI and Digital Technologies

Outthinkers

David Shrier is a globally-recognized expert on technology-driven change at scale. He is a Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation, with Imperial College Business School, where he is founding faculty of the Centre for Digital Transformation and leads the new Trusted AI initiative. Healso chairs the Research group for the World Metaverse Council.

Through his venture studio Visionary Future, David also works extensively with the private sector helping established organizations build innovative capacity, having developed $10 billion of value-creation opportunities with companies such as UBS, Dun & Bradstreet, Kyriba, Ernst & Young, GE and The Walt Disney Company, as well as leading private equity and VC funds. He is CEO of a NYSE-listed company which he led through a 500%-oversubscribed IPO, and advises disruptive technology companies such as Dandelion Science (neurotechnology) and Kaleidoco (metaverse).

He is best known for creating and leading the blockchain and fintech classes for MIT and Oxford that expanded access in over 150 countries and revolutionized the business model for higher education online. His efforts resulted in nearly $1 billion of financial support for MIT, Harvard and Oxford. David’s government advisory work spans over 100 countries and has influenced policy affecting more than 2.4 billion people.

He has published seven books in seven years; his eighth book, Basic Metaverse, is coming out June 8, from Little Brown and Harvard Business Publishing. More information at www.VisionaryFuture.com.

In this episode, he shares:

• His definition of the metaverse in simple terms, and how it goes beyond just virtual reality, as it’s often perceived
• Several real-world examples of how AI and the metaverse are already changing industries, careers and businesses, from architecture to the practice of medicine, among many others
• The sheer accelerated pace at which newer technologies are being adopted compared to previous groundbreaking technologies in history
• How technology has shaped the way in which the public and private spheres work together to advance new initiatives and funding around these

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Episode Timeline:

00:00—Highlight from today's episode

00:51—Introducing David + The topic of today’s episode

2:47—If you really know me, you know that...

3:44—What is your definition of strategy?

4:47—Could you talk to us about your work at Oxford and MIT around digital technologies?

7:51—Could you give us your definition of the metaverse as you would explain it?

9:43—How do you see business changing, and how long will these digital transformations be adopted?

14:06—What are some of the implications of the adoption of these technologies that people would be surprised by or people get wrong?

17:05—What drove you to write your newest book on AI, what was the timing?

19:18—What do you think business leaders need to act in light of this fast impending change?

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Additional Resources:

Personal Page: https://davidshrier.com/

Company Page:

Thank you to our guest. Thank you to our executive producer, Karina Reyes, our editor, Zach Ness, and the rest of the team. If you like what you heard, please follow, download, and subscribe. I'm your host, Kaihan Krippendorff. Thank you for listening.
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