I have read several articles recently about projects designed to
teach digital systems to think more like humans. For example one article was about teaching
chatbot systems to communicate empathy to humans. It seems ironic that we are developing
digital systems to think more like humans, while at the same time much of my
work is focused on teaching humans how to think more like and about digital
systems and their capabilities. Let me
explain.
Competitive battles in most industries today are increasingly centered
on digital technologies and digital strategies, and as a result, it benefits
leaders to have a deep understanding of how digital systems work, and how the
impact of new digital innovations will change the behaviors of customers,
competitors and partners.
A few of the areas that I think leaders should really understand
are:
- Simple programming concepts and computer logic
- Small World, social networks and swarming theories
- Industry and technology data exchange standards
- Platforms, Cloud computing, Containers and System thinking
- Internet and network architecture and design
- Big Data and real-time analytics
- GPS, GIS and Mapping
- Mobile and wireless technologies
- Sensors, embedded wireless devices and IoT
- Data and device security and authentication
- Databases and data lifecycle management
- Online catalogs, shopping carts and digital payments
- Digital marketing, personalization and contextual relevance
- Digital content and delivery: websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, social media (e.g. Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)
- Robotics, automation, AI and machine learning
- Virtual and augmented reality
There are many more items that
could be added to this short list, but I hope you get the idea. If we can agree that digital technologies are
fundamental to our future success, then we must understand them, or at least
their capabilities.
To read more about how
digital transformation is impacting strategies read this article 15 Rules for Winning During the Age of Digital Transformation.
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Kevin Benedict
President, Principal Analyst, Futurist, the Center for Digital Intelligence™
Website C4DIGI.com
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***Full Disclosure: These are my personal opinions. No company is silly enough to claim them. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
