Innovation Snapshot

"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."

— Charles Kettering, Inventor

In today's lineup:

Robots

• Top Bites: new AI developments

• 3 gen AI built for good

• 90% are stuck in pilot purgatory

• Comet vs Dia's AI browser battle

People

• A futurist predicts AI's "super abundance" effect

Love

• How to fuel your business’ strategic agility

• Transformative reads: How I built this by Guy Raz

Reading time: 5 min. 

Top bites ⚡

• Tesla to integrate Grok AI next week, despite hate speech

• AWS partners with Anthropic to launch an AI agent marketplace

• Huawei seeks AI chip deals in Middle East and Southeast Asia

• EU’s Code of Practice for GenAI draws mixed reactions

• AI infrastructure startup LangChain raises $100M at $1.1B valuation

• Low-loss spin waveguide network may pave way for energy-efficient AI

AI investments explode, actual deployment crawls. Is yours one of them?

AI investment hits $2 trillion by 2030, but 90% of companies are still stuck in pilot purgatory. CNBC reports massive funding flowing into AI infrastructure, yet most organizations remain trapped in endless experimentation cycles. Recently, Microsoft and Abacus managed to escape the limbo.

How to shake off the pilot paralysis:

• Define before you deploy – Pinecone's Edo Liberty emphasizes knowledge over raw intelligence. Start with specific business problems before tech solutions.

• Reimagine processes first – Don't lift-and-shift existing workflows. Redesign them around AI capabilities to see real value.

• Address workforce impact early – As entry-level roles face automation pressure, upskill teams on unique human capabilities (strategic thinking, relationship management, etc.)

• Avoid shiny object syndrome – Focus on measurable ROI in core operations rather than chasing every new AI trend.

The window for competitive advantage is narrowing. Are you acting decisively?

Gen AI in action 🌊

3 ways AI is creating human-centered value.

• American Airlines uses AI to predict passenger flight misses to ensure travelers reach their destinations.

• DroneDeploy's Safety AI analyzes construction imagery to flag OSHA violations, protecting workers from preventable accidents.

• Darktrace's Enterprise Immune System detects cyber threats in real time before they escalate into costly breaches.

Tool Spotlight 🔧

Your weekly dose of AI-powered tools delivering real results.

The AI browser battle: Perplexity's Comet vs Dia

Two AI-first browsers are fighting for your workflow dominance, but which one actually delivers for busy executives?

Strategic uses:

• Comet's edge – Multi-tab AI integration lets you synthesize research across dozens of sources instantly, perfect for strategic planning sessions

• Dia's simplicity – Clean interface with "skills" commands streamlines repetitive tasks like checking KPIs or scheduling reviews

• The final verdict – Both offer webpage summarization and AI assistance, but Comet feels clunky while Dia prioritizes user experience

Other productivity browsers worth checking:

• Microsoft Edge with Copilot: Deep Microsoft 365 integration for enterprise workflows

• Brave with Leo AI: Privacy-focused summarization without data retention concerns

• Arc Browser: Innovative workspace organization with AI-powered command bar

Transformation Champion 🏆

Adam Dorr predicts AI will replace all jobs but create "super-abundance"

The futurist studied 1,500+ technological transformations across human history, identifying consistent patterns pointing to an imminent economic shift. "Technology has a new target in its crosshairs—and that's us. That's our labour," Dorr warns, comparing humans to horses replaced by cars.

His advice is to experiment with new ownership structures and stakeholder models now. The transition will be swift and tumultuous, but could create unprecedented abundance if managed correctly.

Why your strategic agility needs to toughen up

While 90% of innovation initiatives fail, organizations with strategic agility respond to market changes 3-4x faster than rigid competitors. Strategic agility means protecting your freedom to evolve, not just adapting to change.

Start by…

• Asking better questions: Don't ask "What's the best solution today?" Ask "What gives us the most options tomorrow?" Focus on flexibility over convenience.

• Building modular systems - Create replaceable components that evolve independently, enabling fast tech adoption without complete overhauls.

• Empowering small teams - Five-person cross-functional units make decisions faster, mirroring startup agility within larger frameworks.

Access the AI business power toolkit here for FREE.

Transformative Reads 📚

One book, handpicked from my conversations with friends, industry leaders, and tech innovators:

How I Built This transforms 200+ founder stories into actionable frameworks for building breakthrough companies. Guy Raz's deep-dive interviews reveal the messy reality behind iconic brands, from Airbnb's rejection letters to Netflix's near-death pivots. 

Perfect for: Aspiring entrepreneurs, innovation leaders, and anyone who needs both practical guidance and proof that success comes through persistence, not perfection.

In Culture 🤌

Here's something to laugh about this week.

THANK YOU!

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