July 2024
Summertime news.
AI with the YardGoats.
Hartford, CT
Over the past year, I have extensively researched AI development and operationalization. While I believe we’ve passed the peak of the current AI hype cycle, GenAI tech is certainly here to stay.
This was the focus of my talk at an AI event in July in Hartford, Connecticut. The event, 'AI with the Yard Goats,' was sponsored by consulting firm CGI in collaboration with the Hartford Yard Goats, a Double-A baseball team.
Yes, the baseball team is called the “Hartford Yard Goats.”
I am aware of how amazing that is.
I tried my damndest to find a hat in my size, but I failed.
In my talk, I summarized the AI hype cycles of the past 50 years and explained why this cycle is different: there is no putting the GenAI genie back in the bottle. While we have the technology to power widespread sentient AI, we lack the capability to sustain it.
In fact, I predict that the investment bubble around AI is set to burst as the market realizes that while GenAI is an amazing productivity tool for workers, it will not replace workers en masse.
If I were to invest, and I do like to invest, I would bet on a resurgence of nuclear energy. Big tech wants AI to develop, and to do that, they’ll need power. For a leading indicator, check out these articles: THIS and THIS.
What I Learned in July ‘24
True character is revealed when things get tough.
“Boy dad” and “girl dad” headspace is very different.
You can’t be everyones cup of tea, and that is ok.
Quote of the Month
I always carry a journal so I can write down the interesting things that people say (thanks for the idea, Gene!) Here is a gem from July:
“Don’t run to the finish line, run through it.”
Reflection: I have a love/hate relationship with sprint interval training. I run hard, but when my Garmin counts down '5.. 4.. 3..', I let off the gas. Goggins' advice about running through the finish line resonated deeply with me. It made me think about tackling difficult tasks. Just like in sprint training, I grind hard on a task but often ease up near the finish line.
By sprinting through each interval in a 20-round set, the overall distance will be greater, and the time at threshold longer, leading to incremental improvements. The same applies to tasks: pushing hard to the end ensures better results. Consistently applying this practice will significantly enhance your overall performance.
In short, don’t quit before you’re done.
Latest Podcasts
Here is the latest from my project, The SAFe Business Agility Podcast:
Tactical Tip: The Science of Giving Orders
Tactical Tip: An Evolving Hardware Landscape
Tactical Tip: Driving Executive Engagement
Someone You Should Know
Photos & Friends with Maewood Collective
Jenelle and I first met Meg and Jess through a mutual friend, Kristi, in 2018. To make a long story short, Meg and Jess shot our engagement photos, wedding photos, my sister-in-law's wedding, and most importantly, they became dear friends.
Meg and Jess are not just gifted photographers; they are beautiful humans. In July, Jenelle and I met Meg and Jess in Richmond, VA, on a cool 102° evening to help them capture content for a redesign of their brand. They’ve been successfully shooting weddings for a decade but wanted to do more. We helped them with an elopement series, which you can see scattered throughout their website HERE.
Do I want to plug Meg and Jess? Yes.
Do I want to celebrate them for being amazing people?
Yes, even more than I want to promote them.
Have a look at their work below!
Technology Alliance Partners
A New Project
I picked up a new project at work: developing a Technology Alliance Partner program for Scaled Agile Framework. The goal is to co-create value for the customers we jointly serve through operating models, learning, and the technologies that enable operationalization of our IP.
Do you have any partnerships that you love? or hate?
Please grab a block to chat below. I appreciate the opportunty to learn from you!
Thank You.
I want to say a big THANK YOU to each of you again. I do my best to provide value each month, and if I can do better, please hit “reply” and let me know what advice you have. Feedback is a gift, and I always appreciate it.
If you know anyone else who may enjoy this content, please forward this newsletter their way. Social links are below; you know the deal.
Until next month,
Adam