Kalle, there is a lot of talk about AI today, but when and how do you think we will see the really big new applications of this technology?

This is a big and complex issue, and over the past 6 months I have met with leaders in many different professions to better understand the situation. We now know with hindsight that digitization for many companies has taken a long time despite the tools being in place. It is the actual implementation and transition for us humans that takes time.

The big difference between digital development and AI development is that the functionality of AI has developed so rapidly. 

To take a current example in an industry where change with the help of AI has already had a huge impact is the customer service industry. IT/media, banking/finance and law are the next big industries to change with A/I

Why is it relevant to understand the impact of AI on us?‍

If the industrial revolution hit all farmers hard and then the "IT revolution" hit industry hard, this time it is the white-collar sector where we will see the biggest changes in the next 5-10 years.

Kalle, that sounds like a dystopian picture of the future. Flipping the coin, what do you see as positive? 

Productivity will increase like never before in most service sector verticals. Many administrative tasks will be performed by fewer employees using AI tools. This will leave more time for demanding tasks where creativity and strategic thinking will be crucial. 

The other major benefit will be accessibility. Today, for example, it is extremely difficult and rare to be able to make a good advertising film as it requires a lot of components. Almost everything in creative production will be easily accessible to everyone, which means that what was previously only possible to produce for larger companies with large budgets can now also be achieved by anyone with less money.

The third major benefit is that it will create a new segment of services in everything from "Creative Engineers", AI Product Manager, AI Ethics Specialists. The list can be made long, but with the new tools there will also be new opportunities and new services that almost all companies will need. (Already today it is possible to test code, make videos, create advanced images, compile reports or write copytext with AI tools).

History also tends to repeat itself and if we look at previous "revolutions", productivity has always increased and jobs have temporarily "dipped" and then remained at the same level as before. Everyone has probably always worried that change at this level will lead to something worse, but if we look historically, things have always gotten better. 

Kalle, you who have one foot in the old and one in the "new digital", how do you think our way of meeting and collaborating will develop in the future?

The physical meeting will be valued even more when we soon live in a world where it is no longer possible to determine what is real on the internet. To ensure this, the physical encounter will be valued even more and something that we humans are increasingly seeking is belonging. Belonging in the form of community building and meetings where we can physically meet other people will become even more important in the future.

Tips for our followers?

If I may give three general tips on the theme of the future and building businesses, here are my three tips:

Be curious - the world has always changed and it will change again, so be curious so you can be part of the change. 

Implement not philosophize - Focus on making small changes that allow you to get started instead of getting stuck in big plans from strategy days/kickoffs that are never implemented. 

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Communicate more - In times of change and in tough financial times, there is nothing more important than being clear in your communication as a leader. Take responsibility, be clear about expectations, follow up with results and dare to talk about the changes that are taking place.

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