AI

The Best of Bain 2024

Colin Henderson

Planning for tariffs AI remains a top priority Thriving amid volatility Recapturing a Founder’s Mentality The world ahead of us In this mailing we highlight the eight most-read and most-commented on stories of the year. Could they also be predictive? Taken together, they offer a frame through which to view a newly post-global world, where AI is an object of intense awe (and scrutiny) and where leaders distinguish themselves by building resilient corporations steeled against increasingly frequent shocks. The question to ask as you read is, which of these risks is actually your greatest opportunity? — The Bain Team 1 … Continue reading The Best of Bain 2024

AI

New pubs on Medium

Colin Henderson

Over 11,000 new publications were launched in 2024! Here are a few that particularly resonated with our readers this year: The Quantastic Journal: a publication about humanity, science, and technology.Sample story: What is a Particle, Really? by Selena Routley. The Parenting Portal: it’s about all things parenting, but it’s not just for parents. Sample story: Pregnancy Feels Different With Grief by Ayne. Life Without Children: for those who choose (or did not choose) a child-free life. Sample story: Why the Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype Is Especially Problematic for Women Without Children by Charlie Brown. Iberospherical, a publication that focuses on stories of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking lands and culture. Sample … Continue reading New pubs on Medium

Economy1 Comment

Two million people are expected to leave in Canada’s immigration reset

Colin Henderson

Two million people are expected to leave the country in Canada’s immigration reset. What if they don’t? Economists and lawyers warn that Ottawa’s goal to curb population growth in such a short time will create chaos and confusion in a system already on the edge Author of the article: Naimul Karim Published Dec 19, 2024  •  Last updated 4 days ago  •  10 minute read 167 Comments Article content Despite moving to Canada from India in 2018 as an international student and receiving a work permit upon graduating two years later, Dinesh* lives in Ontario today as a visitor even though that was obviously not … Continue reading Two million people are expected to leave in Canada’s immigration reset

Sociology2

Goodbye Berlin

Colin Henderson

As I pack my bags after nine years in Berlin, I’m leaving a city that seems to be trapped in a narrative of its own decline. Veterans say it has jumped the shark. Flats are impossible to find. Spots in day care are like hen’s teeth. The bureaucracy is mind-numbingly analogue. Gentrification has flattened its anarchic soul. The edginess has gone. Some of this may be true. But it doesn’t reflect my experience. To me, Berlin is at the top of its game, a city that, if it weren’t so self-effacing, could almost be the capital of Europe. null When … Continue reading Goodbye Berlin

AI, Cybersecurity

The Cyber Angle

Colin Henderson

Bloomberg The US private equity firm AE Industrial Partners has acquired one of Israel’s leading spyware companies in a move that’s injected enthusiasm into the Middle Eastern country’s scandal-plagued surveillance technology industry. Florida-based AE bought Tel-Aviv’s Paragon in a deal worth up to $900 million, according to a person familiar with the deal, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential business. The agreement consists of an initial $500 million payment and could increase by a further $400 million depending on sales and other targets, the person added. AE plans to merge Paragon with REDLattice, a US cybersecurity firm … Continue reading The Cyber Angle

AI

TSource: McKinsey & Company, link in the comments

Colin Henderson

Becoming an #AI bank is no longer a question of if but of how. McKinsey has just released one of the best reports on how to do it. Here are my main take-aways: Being an AI-first bank is about 4 things: —  Reimagining the customer experience (personalization, frictionless journeys)—  Using AI to help with decision making—  Modernizing core #technology—  Setting up a platform operating model Banks excelling in AI do 4 things well: —  Set a bold, bankwide vision for the value AI can create—  Transform entire domains, processes, and journeys rather than just deploying narrow use cases—  Build a comprehensive stack of AI capabilities powered by … Continue reading TSource: McKinsey & Company, link in the comments

AI

Top 10 | McKinsey Global Institute

Colin Henderson

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re revisiting our most popular insights of the year. Today, we give you our best-read pieces from the McKinsey Global Institute, which focus on topics including navigating the energy transition, investing in productivity growth, and more. 1. Geopolitics and the geometry of global trade Global trade patterns are reconfiguring. More shifts are likely and businesses need to be aware of the potential trade-offs of different paths ahead. Be prepared for a range of shifts  2. A new future of work: The race to deploy AI and raise skills in Europe and beyond To gain … Continue reading Top 10 | McKinsey Global Institute

AI

News and analysis from Canadian academic experts

Colin Henderson

2024 was a big year for artificial intelligence on several fronts. The use of the technology has become more widespread, and we encounter its applications on a daily basis. A Canadian researcher, Geoffrey Hinton, shared the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics for his contributions to machine learning and artificial neural networks. While celebrating his win, Hinton cautioned — as he has been for a few years now — against the misuse of AI, and called for responsible and transparent AI development. At The Conversation Canada, we’ve published many articles on AI and its applications in several fields, written by academics … Continue reading News and analysis from Canadian academic experts

AI

Keeping up with gen AI – McKinsey

Colin Henderson

Description of background video (continued): A butterfly emerges from the chrysalis and unfolds its wings revealing a circuitry pattern on its wingspan. The butterfly takes flight and camera starts to pan down. Digital leaders have widened their competitive distance by 60 percent in the past three years, according to senior partner Eric Lamarre and colleagues. But tortoises have a way of catching up: to stay ahead, leaders will have to accelerate their transformations. While last year was largely about generative AI (gen AI) pilots, this year has seen the technology driving revenue increases—most notably in supply chain and inventory management—and cost reductions (exhibit). According to senior … Continue reading Keeping up with gen AI – McKinsey