Category: Opinion

A red, humanoid robot kneeling and leaning forward with its head bowed, surrounded by disassembled parts and wires.

Am I the only one experiencing Gen AI fatigue?

Max Jahn, November 12, 2023July 22, 2024

Though Gen AI tools have been exciting in recent years, there has been a growing sense of exhaustion about them. According to Oguz Acar in Harvard Business Review, generative AI may already have reached its peak. Even though generative AI has had great success in the past, there are still so many structural issues to fix. In the current climate of FOMO, overheated discussions about generative AI are fueling a lot of projects. Stop the hype.

Analysis

Colorful illustration of businesspeople in suits, with one character having the head of a zebra.

Seeing Stripes? How to Tame the Cargo Cults in Your Tech Herd

Max Jahn, June 18, 2023June 20, 2023

Ever discovered painted horses masquerading as zebras in your tech landscape? My last post helped you spot these instances of cargo cults in tech – the adoption of innovations and trends without truly understanding the principles behind. This time, we’re focusing on the next crucial step: dismantling these misguided initiatives. In ‘Seeing Stripes? How to Tame the Cargo Cults in Your Tech Herd’, I share strategies to revert the influence of these ‘painted horses’ and foster an environment that breeds true zebras.

Opinion

A woman in rugged adventure attire, wearing goggles and a red scarf, stands triumphantly on rocky terrain with a dramatic yellow and orange background.

Summit or Mirage? The Misrepresentation of Tech Progress Through the Mountain Metaphor

Max Jahn, May 31, 2023June 4, 2023

Mountain climbing is a popular metaphor for long and arduous business transformation projects, but it paints a false picture of technology’s constant change and evolution. The metaphor of climbing a mountain should be replaced with a more appropriate one that communicates the idea of continual progress and adaptation, rather than climbing a mountain.

Opinion

Illustration of a frustrated man in a tie and vest sitting at a desk with his hands on his face, with a messy colorful background.

Dispelling the Universal Need for a Cloud Center of Excellence: When Your Organization Might Fare Better Without One

Max Jahn, May 21, 2023May 21, 2023

An increasingly popular choice for companies just getting started in the cloud is the Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE). Although a CCoE may be a useful resource for many companies as they make their way into the cloud, this is not always the case.
Before deciding whether a CCoE is the best option, each company must take a hard look at its own requirements, strengths, and long-term objectives. This post explores some indicators that setting up a CCoE might not be the perfect match for you.

Opinion

Two men in suits standing inside a futuristic, circular structure, facing each other with a bright, cloudy sky in the background.

Redefining the Battlefield: Conquering the Business-IT Divide

Max Jahn, April 16, 2023April 12, 2023

In today’s fast-paced business world, bridging the gap between business and IT is crucial for achieving success. Business professionals are more tech-savvy than ever, but conflicts often arise from rigid and bureaucratic IT environments. To overcome this divide, organizations must foster a shared understanding of value streams, streamline work processes, create feedback loops, build enduring cross-functional teams, and reconsider the outsourcing of critical IT systems management.

Opinion

Will AI turn labor markets into rockstar markets?

Max Jahn, April 8, 2023April 9, 2023

As AI systems like GPT-4 and Midjourney continue to advance, they are taking over tasks traditionally done by junior employees, potentially reducing entry-level roles and the pool of people available to develop into masters of their craft. This shift may lead to a smaller number of highly sought-after experts and a rise in interdisciplinary skills, adaptability, and critical thinking.