Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Today we’re going to discuss the drama du jour of Open AI – just not in the manner you might expect. (Fair warning: If you’re not dialed in to the idea that people are your competitive advantage then we should probably break up. Go ahead. Smash the unsubscribe and have done with this newsletter.)

Still here? Good. Today I have a few thoughts around my belief that people and technology are the engine driving every organization. And last weekend’s drama at OpenAI supports this idea.

Consider what’s occurred. After a Board and leadership dust-up, outside-yet-interested-party, Microsoft acted swiftly and decisively to secure the visionary leadership and engineering talent that brought ChatGPT to life. They made NO play for the tech beyond their prior investment efforts. Instead, they placed their bet on people.

Why might that be? One explanation: Even though they’re a tech company, Microsoft understands that people offer the only true competitive advantage. So they placed their bet on people.

The history and origin story of practical Generative AI is being written as we watch. And Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella just penned another entry in this book while simultaneously offering a masterclass in how to emerge from a giant, messy pile smelling like a rose. All because he bet on people.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Be strong. Lead well.

Chad