Insights

AI & machine learning

The current chapter in the history of artificial intelligence is marked by huge investments, rapid—and accelerating progress—and a degree of hype that draws scorn from skeptics and makes even some believers queasy. Debates about the impact of AI on jobs, on the economy, on society, and even on geopolitics are ongoing. Where AI is taking us remains uncertain. But it seems clear that it will be a transformative technology in this decade and beyond.

Climate tech & sustainability

There can be no effective response to climate change without technology. We need technologies to help generate energy, produce food, manufacture goods, construct and operate buildings, and move people and materials—all while emitting few or no greenhouse gases or even removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This imperative—and the commercial opportunity it represents—has driven hundreds of billions of dollars of investment in climate tech. There is still much to do. By some estimates, annual spending of trillions of dollars will be required to meet the challenge of climate change.

Enterprise tech & digital transformation

Spending on enterprise information technology is approaching $6 trillion per year globally. Digital technologies are ubiquitous. But digital businesses are special. They use data and technology to continuously evolve all aspects of their business models—what they offer, how they sell and deliver, and how they operate. In practice this means seeking out technologies which, when properly assimilated into a business, can create value for the business and for customers. Of course, digital transformation requires more than tech; it requires a digital mindset—the practice of looking at old problems with new eyes and asking how data and technology can be applied to reinvent products and processes.

Innovation

The term innovation has been on a journey, from mystery to buzzword to a discipline with standards and repeatable processes. Along the way it has become clear that new ideas matter, but pragmatism, implementation, and execution are how innovation creates value and new markets.