AI-driven business model innovation, being better humans, developing countries & frontier tech, and more

April 21, 2025

“Some form of self-awareness is surely essential to highly intelligent thought... On the other hand, I doubt that any part of a mind can see very deeply into other parts; it can only use models it constructs of them.“

- Marvin Minsky

AI-driven business model innovation

It seems to me that there has not been nearly enough attention on AI’s impact on business models. AI should not be something tacked on to how businesses currently operate. It is fundamentally reshaping how value is created.

This is at the core of my client work, and the topic of my highly condensed AI-Driven Business Model Innovation course, just launch on LinkedIn Learning.

Last week I shared the excellent Being Human in 2035 report. This week on the podcast I speak with report co-author Lee Rainie, it’s a fascinating framing of how AI may shape us - for better or worse.

Be well!

Ross

 

📖In this issue

  • New Course: AI-Driven Business Model Innovation

  • Different modes for AI augmentation of decision-making

  • How AI can help doctors - and everyone - improve their empathy

  • How the uptake of frontier technologies will shape the developed/developing countries divide

  • Podcast: Lee Rainie on being human in 2035, expert predictions, the impact of AI on cognition and social skills, and insights from generalists

💡New Course: AI-Driven Business Model Innovation

Delighted that my second LinkedIn Learning course on AI-Driven Business Model Innovation is now out.

The compact 1 hour course - free to LinkedIn subscribers - goes through the six major domains for AI’s impact on business models and the emerging opportunities.

It seems to me that there has not been nearly enough attention on AI’s impact on business models. AI should not be something tacked on to how businesses currently operate. It is fundamentally reshaping how value is created. Those to recognize that early will be way ahead of the game.

🧠🤖Humans + AI

Different modes for AI augmentation of decision-making

Effective AI augmentation of human decision-making requires clarity on the specific role of AI relative to humans. An interesting research study used two different AI agents - ExtendAI and RecommendAI - each optimized to play different roles in a financial investment decision process.

How AI can help doctors - and everyone - improve their empathy

LLMs are perceived to be far more empathetic than human doctors. But they can also help doctors to develop their empathy. AI “will allow doctors to be more human in the future," says Harvard Medical School dean of medical education Dr. Bernard Chang.

How the uptake of frontier technologies will shape the developed/developing countries divide

Nations’ capabilities in frontier technologies will drive their fortunes. There is deep danger of this accentuating global wealth polarization, but there is also a real opportunity for developing countries to accelerate faster than the leaders.

An excellent UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report on frontier technologies globally lays the current state and how we can shape a more inclusive global future.

🎙️This week’s podcast episode

Lee Rainie on being human in 2035, expert predictions, the impact of AI on cognition and social skills, and insights from generalists  

Why you should listen

The study on which this is based is fascinating: Being Human in 2035. We discss the report findings in depth as well as the methodology and other expert insights into the future of humanity augmented by technology.

Thanks for reading!

Ross Dawson and team