Max Koven
@maxkoven.bsky.social
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, recently warned that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. But not all jobs are created equal. Apple just published research that reveals some limitations in AI reasoning that every business leader needs to understand.
Which Jobs Are Really at Risk? Apple's Reality Check on AI Reasoning
Before you hand over the keys to AI, understand where it actually breaks down
www.thoughtsfromthedatafront.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, recently warned that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. But not all jobs are created equal. Apple just published research that reveals some limitations in AI reasoning that every business leader needs to understand.
When everyone has access to ChatGPT, the competitive advantage goes to those who know how to ask better questions. Learn the framework that improves both your AI results and your management skills.
When Answers Are Free, Questions Become Priceless
In a world where everyone has AI tools, the most valuable skill isn't knowing the answers—it's knowing what to ask.
open.substack.com
June 3, 2025 at 12:47 AM
When everyone has access to ChatGPT, the competitive advantage goes to those who know how to ask better questions. Learn the framework that improves both your AI results and your management skills.
The key question isn't "Which jobs will AI replace?" but "What new human needs will emerge as AI transforms how we work?"—and that's where the next wave of innovation awaits.
AI's Second-Order Effects: The Business Opportunities Beyond Job Displacement
While AI-driven job losses dominate headlines, history shows the real opportunities emerge not from these first-order disruptions, but from the second-order effects that transform industries and creat...
open.substack.com
May 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The key question isn't "Which jobs will AI replace?" but "What new human needs will emerge as AI transforms how we work?"—and that's where the next wave of innovation awaits.
The companies succeeding aren't just better at using AI—they've fundamentally reimagined what work looks like. They've moved from asking "How can AI help us?" to "How should we rebuild now that AI exists?"
Microsoft's Frontier Firm Advantage: Why The Pilot Phase Is Over
Microsoft's research reveals that 'Frontier Firms' don't just adopt AI tools but evolve through three distinct phases to completely reimagine how work gets done.
open.substack.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:05 AM
The companies succeeding aren't just better at using AI—they've fundamentally reimagined what work looks like. They've moved from asking "How can AI help us?" to "How should we rebuild now that AI exists?"
As these agents take on more responsibility in your business, how do you ensure they represent your brand values and don't become expensive liabilities?
Stop Your AI from Going Off the Rails
AI agents without proper guardrails are like cars without brakes — powerful but dangerous. Discover the five essential safeguards every business needs before scaling AI.
open.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
As these agents take on more responsibility in your business, how do you ensure they represent your brand values and don't become expensive liabilities?
Google's analysis of 600+ AI implementations reveals six practical agent types delivering measurable value today—giving business leaders a framework to identify their highest-impact AI opportunities.
The Six AI Agents Driving Business Value Now
Google's analysis of 600+ AI implementations reveals six practical agent types delivering measurable value today—giving business leaders a framework to identify their highest-impact AI opportunities.
open.substack.com
April 27, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Google's analysis of 600+ AI implementations reveals six practical agent types delivering measurable value today—giving business leaders a framework to identify their highest-impact AI opportunities.
While most companies talk about AI transformation, EY is actually doing it—deploying 150 specialized agents to redefine tax work at a scale that proves the Great Rewiring has arrived.
Transforming Tax Work With AI Agents
While companies talk about AI transformation, EY is actually doing it—deploying 150 specialized agents to redefine tax work at a scale.
open.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:29 AM
While most companies talk about AI transformation, EY is actually doing it—deploying 150 specialized agents to redefine tax work at a scale that proves the Great Rewiring has arrived.
This past week, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke sent a company-wide memo that should be required reading for every business leader. His message was crystal clear: AI isn't just a tool for competitive advantage – it's now the baseline expectation.
If You're Not Climbing, You're Sliding: Shopify Makes AI Mandatory
Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke sent a company-wide memo that should be required reading for every business leader.
open.substack.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
This past week, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke sent a company-wide memo that should be required reading for every business leader. His message was crystal clear: AI isn't just a tool for competitive advantage – it's now the baseline expectation.
successful AI transformations are not primarily a technology challenge. It's about connecting strategy, people, processes, and data around a clear business goal
Six Areas That Deliver ROI For Your AI Transformation
AI transformation isn't primarily a technology challenge. It's about aligning strategy, people, processes, and data around a clear vision of value.
open.substack.com
April 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
successful AI transformations are not primarily a technology challenge. It's about connecting strategy, people, processes, and data around a clear business goal
This collaboration model—business experts create prototypes that developers build into secure production solutions—represents the future of software development. The gap between idea and implementation has never been smaller, and the need for responsible development practices has never been greater
Code Without Credentials: How Business Leaders Can Build AI-Powered Prototypes (Safely)
The gap between idea and implementation has never been smaller, and the need for responsible development practices has never been greater.
open.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:48 AM
This collaboration model—business experts create prototypes that developers build into secure production solutions—represents the future of software development. The gap between idea and implementation has never been smaller, and the need for responsible development practices has never been greater
The real power of vibe coding isn't just faster software development—it's democratizing who gets to create. By removing coding as a barrier, domain experts can now build their own solutions (or at least prototypes of these solutions)
I Don't Write Code, I Just Vibe With It: Creating Software Through Conversation
The real power of vibe coding isn't just faster software development—it's democratizing who gets to create. By removing coding as a barrier, domain experts can now build their own solutions.
open.substack.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The real power of vibe coding isn't just faster software development—it's democratizing who gets to create. By removing coding as a barrier, domain experts can now build their own solutions (or at least prototypes of these solutions)
New McKinsey data confirms our "Great Rewiring" thesis:
"Fundamentally redesigning workflows is the single biggest factor in whether companies see financial returns from their AI investments."
Yet only 21% of organizations have started doing this.
"Fundamentally redesigning workflows is the single biggest factor in whether companies see financial returns from their AI investments."
Yet only 21% of organizations have started doing this.
Rewiring Your Business for AI To Capture Value
New data shows redesigning workflows is key to AI success, yet only 21% of companies do this.
open.substack.com
March 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
New McKinsey data confirms our "Great Rewiring" thesis:
"Fundamentally redesigning workflows is the single biggest factor in whether companies see financial returns from their AI investments."
Yet only 21% of organizations have started doing this.
"Fundamentally redesigning workflows is the single biggest factor in whether companies see financial returns from their AI investments."
Yet only 21% of organizations have started doing this.
Just published the final part of my AI Agents series: a practical framework to identify where to start.
Not all processes are AI agent-ready. Ask these 4 questions to find the right ones.
Not all processes are AI agent-ready. Ask these 4 questions to find the right ones.
The Great Rewiring (Part III)- How to Onboard AI Agents
Part 3 of 3: A practical framework for implementing AI agents in your organization
open.substack.com
March 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Just published the final part of my AI Agents series: a practical framework to identify where to start.
Not all processes are AI agent-ready. Ask these 4 questions to find the right ones.
Not all processes are AI agent-ready. Ask these 4 questions to find the right ones.
Today's AI agents present an inflection point. But what exactly makes these agents different from previous automation tools, and what technological breakthroughs are making them practical for business right now?
The Great Rewiring-Why AI Agents Are Now Ready for Business (Part II)
We explore the four key technological breakthroughs—AI understanding, multi-agent orchestration, direct computer control, and low/no code tools—that are increasing the practicality of AI agents for bu...
open.substack.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Today's AI agents present an inflection point. But what exactly makes these agents different from previous automation tools, and what technological breakthroughs are making them practical for business right now?
Sharing the first post out of three where I unpack how AI Agents Will Transform Business Operations. Check it out and subscribe to get part 2 and 3 in your inbox.
The Great Rewiring- How AI Agents Will Transform Business Operations (Part I)
A 3-part series on AI Agents. Part 1 explores how companies process information and why AI agents represent the next evolution in organizational efficiency. Just like factories reimagined operations f...
www.thoughtsfromthedatafront.com
February 23, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Sharing the first post out of three where I unpack how AI Agents Will Transform Business Operations. Check it out and subscribe to get part 2 and 3 in your inbox.
The productivity gains from AI are real and remarkable. But as we rush to embrace this superpower, we need to be thoughtful about how we maintain our mental muscles.
Generative AI: Boosting Productivity, But Are We Losing Our Minds?
AI is making us 3x faster, but our roles are changing: from researchers to fact-checkers, builders to assemblers, doers to directors. Here's how to lead this shift wisely.
open.substack.com
February 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The productivity gains from AI are real and remarkable. But as we rush to embrace this superpower, we need to be thoughtful about how we maintain our mental muscles.
As AI becomes a utility, competitive advantage shifts from having AI to using it creatively. Think Amazon with the internet - they won by building on top of it, not by selling access.
Don't ask "How do we add AI?" Instead ask "If AI was as cheap and available as electricity, what would we build?"
Don't ask "How do we add AI?" Instead ask "If AI was as cheap and available as electricity, what would we build?"
AI's Path to Utility: The Four Stages of Evolution
Just as electricity transformed from luxury to utility, AI is following the same path. What does this mean for business
open.substack.com
February 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
As AI becomes a utility, competitive advantage shifts from having AI to using it creatively. Think Amazon with the internet - they won by building on top of it, not by selling access.
Don't ask "How do we add AI?" Instead ask "If AI was as cheap and available as electricity, what would we build?"
Don't ask "How do we add AI?" Instead ask "If AI was as cheap and available as electricity, what would we build?"
In 2017, "Attention is All You Need" revolutionized AI by introducing Transformers, powering the AI tools we use today. Now, in 2025, Google's Titans might do the same - but this time with memory.
From AI that Can Pay Attention to AI that Can Truly Remember
Google's Titans: From AI that can pay attention to AI that can truly remember. The next revolution after 'Attention is All You Need.
www.thoughtsfromthedatafront.com
February 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
In 2017, "Attention is All You Need" revolutionized AI by introducing Transformers, powering the AI tools we use today. Now, in 2025, Google's Titans might do the same - but this time with memory.
Question for my fellow AI practitioners and leaders: Can we really compare DeepSeek's $6M reasoning-focused model to OpenAI's general-purpose LLMs
January 28, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Question for my fellow AI practitioners and leaders: Can we really compare DeepSeek's $6M reasoning-focused model to OpenAI's general-purpose LLMs
Reposted by Max Koven
Every few months, I write an opinionated guide for general purpose users about which AI to pick, especially for newcomers.
Here is my brand new one, which I actually had to update multiple times in the few days I was writing it. Things are changing fast. open.substack.com/pub/oneusefu...
Here is my brand new one, which I actually had to update multiple times in the few days I was writing it. Things are changing fast. open.substack.com/pub/oneusefu...
Which AI to Use Now: An Updated Opinionated Guide
Picking your general-purpose AI
open.substack.com
January 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Every few months, I write an opinionated guide for general purpose users about which AI to pick, especially for newcomers.
Here is my brand new one, which I actually had to update multiple times in the few days I was writing it. Things are changing fast. open.substack.com/pub/oneusefu...
Here is my brand new one, which I actually had to update multiple times in the few days I was writing it. Things are changing fast. open.substack.com/pub/oneusefu...
When electricity arrived, factory owners simply swapped steam engines for electric motors. Productivity barely budged. Now companies are making the same mistake with AI. Here's what Meta learned from history's lesson about transforming work, not just adding technology.
Don't Just Add AI, Re-imagine Work
What 1900's factory owners can teach us about AI transformations
open.substack.com
January 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
When electricity arrived, factory owners simply swapped steam engines for electric motors. Productivity barely budged. Now companies are making the same mistake with AI. Here's what Meta learned from history's lesson about transforming work, not just adding technology.
Think successful companies build all their AI in-house? New Bain data reveals a surprising truth about how leaders really implement AI.
Build vs Buy AI: The Surprising Truth About How Leading Companies Implement AI
Think successful companies build all their AI in-house? A new Bain study reveals a surprising truth about how leaders really implement AI.
open.substack.com
January 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Think successful companies build all their AI in-house? New Bain data reveals a surprising truth about how leaders really implement AI.