What does AI mean to leadership | Milo Jones | TEDxIEMadrid

Summary

In this TEDx talk, the speaker explores the implications of AI for leadership in the new normal. Starting with a humorous look at AI's past with 'Clippy', the speaker moves to discuss AI's current capabilities, referencing AI's victory over the world's best Go player. Drawing on his experience in the US Marine Corps, the speaker emphasizes the importance of character in leadership. Using the analogy of 'centaur' chess, where humans and computers compete as teams, he highlights the need for a good process and humility in leadership, suggesting that the combination of human judgment and AI advice can outperform both AI and human experts alone.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an integral part of the new normal and is set to redefine leadership.
• 📈 Major tech companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, IBM, and Microsoft are heavily investing in AI, indicating its significance.
• 🤖 The speaker's initial perception of AI was negative, associating it with the annoying 'Clippy' from Microsoft Office, but acknowledges that AI has evolved significantly.
• 🔍 AI today is exemplified by virtual assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa, which demonstrate the practical utility of AI in daily life.
• 😨 There are concerns about AI leading to technological unemployment and the rise of machines, but the speaker encourages a balanced view.
• 🏆 AI's capabilities were highlighted by its victory over the world's best Go player, showcasing its advanced strategic abilities.
• 🤝 Leadership in the Marine Corps emphasizes leading by example and looking out for subordinates, principles that remain relevant in the AI era.
• 🤔 The speaker uses chess as a metaphor for discussing the future of leadership with AI, drawing on historical AI milestones in the game.
• 🏆 The concept of 'Freestyle Chess' introduced by Gary Kasparov, where humans and AI collaborate, offers insights into effective human-AI teamwork.
• 🌐 The victory of the 'Zachary' team in Freestyle Chess demonstrates that a good process for integrating human and AI decisions can outperform both individual excellence and superior technology.
• 🛠️ Leadership in the AI era calls for a focus on process and humility, recognizing the strengths of both humans and machines and their collaborative potential.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the TEDx talk?

The main topic of the TEDx talk is the implications of artificial intelligence for leadership in the new normal.

Why does the speaker mention Clippy when discussing AI?

The speaker mentions Clippy to contrast the outdated and ineffective AI of the past with the advanced AI capabilities of today, highlighting the evolution of AI.

What are some examples of modern AI that the speaker mentions?

The speaker mentions Siri, Microsoft's Cortana, and Amazon's Alexa as examples of modern AI that can assist with various tasks.

What does the speaker suggest is a common thread among Google, Apple, Facebook, IBM, and Microsoft?

The speaker suggests that these companies are all actively pursuing deals in artificial intelligence, indicating its significance.

What is the significance of AI beating the world's best human Go player?

The speaker highlights this event as a milestone, demonstrating AI's advanced capabilities and its potential impact on the future of leadership and strategy.

What are the two fundamental principles of leadership in the United States Marine Corps according to the speaker?

The two fundamental principles are leading by example and looking out for the welfare of subordinates.

What is 'Freestyle Chess' as mentioned in the talk?

Freestyle Chess is a format where teams of humans and computers play against each other, with the rules of chess remaining the same but allowing for collaboration between humans and AI.

Who won the Freestyle Chess match organized by Gary Kasparov, and what does this imply for leadership in AI?

A team of two amateur chess players with decent AI advice and a good process for decision-making won. This implies that a combination of human judgment and AI advice can outperform both superior AI alone and better human players without a structured process.

What does the speaker suggest is the role of human leaders in an AI-driven world?

The speaker suggests that human leaders should lead by example, look out for the welfare of their subordinates, focus on process, and exhibit humility, accepting that certain decisions are better made by AI.

How does the speaker envision the future integration of AI into everyday life?

The speaker envisions a future where intelligence is embedded in everything, similar to how electricity is today, and where AI becomes the new normal without removing the need for human leadership.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 The Dawn of AI in Leadership

The speaker introduces the topic of AI's impact on leadership, reflecting on the new normal and the pervasive presence of AI in modern life. They share their experience as a business school professor and former US Marine, highlighting the foundational leadership principles of leading by example and looking out for subordinates' welfare. The speaker also recalls the historical milestones of AI, such as IBM's Watson winning Jeopardy and AlphaGo defeating the world's best Go player, to emphasize AI's rapid evolution and its potential to redefine leadership strategies.

05:01

🏆 Chess, AI, and Lessons in Leadership

This section delves into the history of AI through the lens of chess, starting with IBM's Deep Blue defeating world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. The speaker discusses Kasparov's response to his loss, the creation of freestyle chess, which involves teams of humans and computers. The surprising outcome of a freestyle chess tournament, where a team of average chess players using basic laptops outperformed both AI experts and grandmasters, underscores the importance of process and human-AI collaboration in leadership. The speaker suggests that effective leadership in an AI-driven world will require a balance of human intuition and AI-powered decision-making.

10:02

🧩 Embracing the New Normal of AI

The speaker addresses the fear and uncertainty surrounding AI's role in the future, drawing parallels to the past when electricity revolutionized society. They argue that AI is becoming the new normal, much like electricity, and will be embedded in all aspects of life without replacing human roles. The speaker emphasizes the importance of character in leadership, suggesting that in the age of AI, leaders should focus on process, humility, and recognizing when to defer to machine capabilities. They conclude by encouraging the audience to accept AI as a new normal that remains human-centric and to learn from the centaur model of human-AI collaboration in chess.

15:04

👏 Closing Remarks

The speaker concludes the presentation with a round of applause, signifying the end of the discussion on AI and leadership. This section serves as a transition to the end of the talk, where the audience is left to reflect on the insights shared and the implications of AI for leadership in their respective fields.

Keywords

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the video, AI is presented as a significant part of the 'new normal,' impacting various aspects of society and leadership. The speaker discusses AI's evolution from a mere concept to a reality that influences leadership strategies, as seen in examples like IBM's Watson winning Jeopardy and Google's DeepMind's AlphaGo defeating a Go champion.

💡Leadership

Leadership in the context of the video is about guiding and directing a group or organization. The speaker emphasizes that while AI is becoming a new normal, the fundamental principles of leadership such as leading by example and looking out for the welfare of subordinates remain unchanged. However, the approach to strategy may evolve with AI's integration, requiring leaders to understand and manage 'centaurs'—teams of humans and computers.

💡New Normal

The 'new normal' is a term used to describe the state of affairs following significant changes, where what was once unusual becomes the standard. The video discusses AI as a part of this new normal, suggesting that it will become as ubiquitous as electricity and will require leaders to adapt their strategies and processes to effectively incorporate AI into their decision-making.

💡Centaurs

In the video, 'centaurs' is a metaphor for teams consisting of both humans and AI, working together to achieve a common goal. The term is derived from the mythical half-human, half-horse creatures. The speaker uses the example of 'Freestyle Chess,' where such teams competed, to illustrate how the combination of human intuition and AI analysis can outperform either component alone, emphasizing the importance of process and humility in leadership.

💡Freestyle Chess

Freestyle Chess is a concept introduced in the video where teams of humans and AI compete against each other. It represents a collaborative approach to problem-solving where AI provides analytical support, and humans make strategic decisions. The video highlights a Freestyle Chess tournament organized by Gary Kasparov, where a team of average chess players with AI assistance won against both superior chess players and advanced AI, showcasing the power of human-AI collaboration.

💡Process

Process in the video refers to the systematic series of actions directed towards a particular end. The speaker suggests that in the age of AI, leaders should focus on establishing robust processes for decision-making that incorporate AI insights effectively. The example of the Freestyle Chess tournament winner, a team with a good process for integrating AI advice, illustrates the importance of having a structured approach to leveraging AI in leadership.

💡Humility

Humility is portrayed in the video as a crucial leadership trait in the AI era. It involves recognizing the limitations of human cognition and the value of AI's analytical capabilities. The speaker implies that leaders should be humble enough to accept that certain decisions are better made by AI, while humans should focus on what they do best, thus complementing AI's strengths with human intuition and creativity.

💡Technological Unemployment

Technological Unemployment is the concept that advancements in technology, including AI, could lead to job losses as machines replace human labor. The video briefly touches on this fear, referencing Gary Kasparov's loss to Deep Blue as a symbol of machines surpassing human capabilities in certain domains. However, the speaker shifts the narrative to focus on collaboration between humans and AI, suggesting that the future lies in working together rather than competition.

💡Economic Singularity

Economic Singularity is a hypothetical point at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, leading to unforeseeable changes in the economy. The video mentions this concept as part of the broader discussion on AI's impact, suggesting that leaders should be aware of and prepared for such potential disruptions. It serves as a cautionary note amidst the excitement surrounding AI's capabilities.

💡Master Algorithm

The 'Master Algorithm' is a theoretical concept referring to a single algorithm capable of learning any function, which could revolutionize AI capabilities. While not directly elaborated upon in the video, it is mentioned as part of the broader discourse on AI's potential to disrupt and transform various fields. It represents the aspirational goal of AI research and the video encourages leaders to stay informed about such advancements.

Highlights

AI is part of the new normal and has implications for leadership.

AI today is exemplified by virtual assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa.

Major tech companies are actively pursuing AI deals, indicating its importance.

AI's potential impact on leadership includes fear of technological unemployment and economic singularity.

AI has recently surpassed human capabilities in complex games like Go.

Leadership in the Marine Corps emphasizes leading by example and looking out for subordinates' welfare.

The history of AI includes significant milestones like IBM's Watson winning Jeopardy.

Deep Blue's victory over chess champion Garry Kasparov marked a shift in perceptions of AI.

Freestyle chess, a combination of human and AI players, offers insights into AI's impact on leadership.

In freestyle chess, the winning team was not composed of top AI experts or chess grandmasters.

The importance of process and humility in combining human and AI decision-making.

AI is becoming commonplace and is the new normal in various industries.

Leaders should focus on process and humility rather than raw intelligence or strategy alone.

AI does not make humans irrelevant; it changes the nature of tasks and leadership.

The future will likely be characterized by intelligence embedded in everyday objects, similar to electricity.

Leadership in the age of AI requires acceptance of the new normal and a focus on human strengths.

Transcripts

[Music]

good evening thank you tedex and thank

you all for coming to hear these

wonderful talks but also to hear me talk

about what what does AI mean for

leadership and I think Ju Just so we can

start slow because among working for

other Banks I was also a US so we have

to start slow want to start slow what AI

is artificial intelligence um and we're

here today to discuss the new normal and

I think artificial intelligence is part

of that new normal and so you guys need

to be knowing something about what

artificial intelligence might mean for

leadership and when when I also in

addition to the many things I do I I

teach at IE business school and when you

when you're a business school Professor

you start looking into Ai and you

instantly you're met with these deals

right that that Google and apple and

Facebook and IBM and Microsoft

everybody's chasing deals in artificial

intelligence and and you think well it

must be important but I'm sorry most of

you are younger than I am but when I

think

AI I'm turning 50 this year when I think

AI I think of poor clippy right

like there's this thing that pops up on

my screen it is says you're you're going

to write a letter are you going to write

a letter no actually you're completely

useless so I'm going to close you as

quickly as I can and and sort of curse

the people who produce you that that is

not if that is not AI today AI today is

pretty cool AI today is different AI

today is things like Siri and micro uh

Cortona and and Amazon's Alexa and you

know they'll help you with almost

anything and that's pretty Co so when

when when you're thinking about the

future of AI you absorb that and you say

well okay that's pretty cool and if I'm

thinking about the new normal maybe I

need to look into this AI

stuff and then I started looking into it

and I started getting scared because you

hear about oh my God there's some sort

robots are coming and and apparently

they're going to rise and and it's a

technological threat and and and wait

hold on apparently there's something

called an economic Singularity coming

and I need to worry about that and oh my

God there's some sort of Master

algorithm that's at work and we need to

worry about that and oh wait hold on

it's apparently it's our final invention

and and what's going to happen then and

wait wait hold put the brakes on it's

merely the second mine age that's going

to utterly upend capitalism but fear not

that's okay because apparently with

super intelligence there there are

Pathways strategies and dangers that we

we all need to be thinking

about but you know the Romans said your

character is your

fate and I think that's

true and to think about it we we need to

think about the immediate present which

by the way just last month artificial

intelligence beat the world's best human

go player at go and if if you're not a

fan of board games by the way go is much

much much more complicated than

chess and I'm here to talk to you about

the future of leadership in an age of

artificial intelligence I'm actually

going to use the lens of Chess even

though please for the record I routinely

go online and play chess games and I

lose to sixy olds I'll admit like in

seconds Checkmate no problem

nevertheless we're going to approach the

future of leadership in an age of

spreading II through chess but we we

we've got we've got to get we're going

to go there through some byways and the

first byway again as I say your

character is your fate you need to know

something else about me I spent four

years in the United States Marine Corps

and the United States Marine Corps is a

very practical

organization it's very focused on

leadership too and the two fundamentals

of

leadership in the United States Marine

Corp are lead by example and look out

for the welfare of your subordinates

those are fundamental and and I don't

think those change in the world of

AI

but focus on strategy that may change

and through chess I hope to tell you why

but first I have to tell you a little

something about the history of AI or

probably remind you of a little

something about the history of AI to do

that let's let's not think about last

month when the world's best go player is

defeated by Alpha go in China let's

think about Watson and the game show

Jeopardy when in 2007 you know the game

show Jeopardy I mean most of you are

probably not the demographic that

watches Jeopardy you're not over 65 an

American but

nevertheless I think you're familiar

with the game it's it's a general

knowledge quiz and it's not only based

on language remember the touring test

and the idea that human a computer might

pretend to be a human and that would be

a good test Jeopardy is special because

it's a general knowledge quiz but it's

often based on language and

puns and in just seven years ago the

world's best Jeopardy player Ken

Jennings who'd won seven uh sorry

64 Jeopardy

tournaments against human players is

beaten by IBM's

Watson so that that that might indicate

to us maybe let's pay attention to AI

but I don't think the lessons are there

the lessons to learn the lessons of the

importance of AI for leadership we have

to keep going back practically to the

Paleolithic of AI which in fact was

1997 and the defeat of the world's best

human chess player by Gary uh Gary

Kasparov by IBM's deep

blue he you know if you're worried about

technological unemployment you can think

of Gary Kasparov is the first human to

ever lose his job to a computer suddenly

you know computers are better than

humans and and it was

shocking now was deep blue

intelligent I don't know he CLA Gary

Kasparov claimed deep blue was no more

intelligent than the average

programmable alarm clock but he admitted

it didn't feel very good to lose to a

$10 million program B alarm

clock so let's look at what we might

learn from Gary Kasparov because chess

believe it or not is a quite warlike

competitive Sport and Gary tried to

learn from his defeat what sort of

things did he learn well after a few

years of being depressed Gary Kasparov

organized something called freestyle

chess and he did it not far from here he

did it over can I say this he did it in

Barcelona

okay and he got the world's best chess

players because if you're Gary Kasparov

sorry you know some good chess players

and he also he knew a few people who are

pretty good at artificial intelligence

and he got them all to play Freestyle

chess and you're all thinking what the

hell is freestyle chess and why should I

care I'm I'm going to get there I'm G to

get there I

promise freestyle chess is teams of

humans and computers playing against

other teams of humans and computers the

rules of Chess are the same but you

can't there's no such thing as cheating

with artificial help so to put this in

perspective Kasparov said that even if

Satan himself perches on your shoulder

and gives you advice about what moves to

make perfectly legal no problem so you

know how bad can AI be it's not Satan

it's it's giving you advice on the move

to make and

he called these teams of humans and

computers playing chess against other

humans and

computers

centaurs okay after the half horse half

man figures in Greek mythology you know

sooner or later your character is your

fate and your your your biography is

your destiny and I'm an art history

major so I'm going to get to the parthan

on freeze at some point so there we go I

got the Parthenon freeze half man half

course Kasparov called these half human

half human chess half human half machine

chess plane combination

centaurs and we can learn a lot about

the future of leadership by looking at

centaurs and how centaurs functioned

against each other because let's be

clear about what they are they're teams

of humans and computers competing

against other teams of humans and

computers so by the way if you're in

finance or medicine or the law or even

retailing

today probably the organization you work

for in some sense is a centaur you're

leading teams of humans and computers

competing against other teams of humans

and computers so maybe even if you don't

play chess you want to pay

attention first indication of what this

might mean to the future of leadership

is simply to accept that as a leader

you're going to be

judging hold on should I listen to the

marketing

Centaur they have an algorithm that's

telling us we need to put more money

into a magazine campaign running in

Madrid this month or should I listen to

the logistics center that is saying no

no no no that same 10 million euros you

were planning to invest that needs to go

into our new Distribution Hub in malago

or

whatever you as a leader are going to

have to be judging the output of human

machine

teams but it actually gets more

interesting than that when you consider

who won this match this freestyle chess

match that Kasparov organized because

the winner and here we have a sort of

Swiss watch diagram of who the winners

were but I want you to think back to

what I said Kasparov knew a lot of

people who were very good at chess and

he also knew a lot of people were very

good at

AI but the winner shocked everybody

because the winner was this team Zach s

and what do you think was it was it the

the AI Geniuses no was it the chess

Grand Masters

no Zack s was a team of two so so chess

players not so so by the standards of

Milo Jones that like is beaten by a

six-year-old

but you know in the world of Chess

genius is so s

and they had three sort of Dell laptops

and I'm not endorsing or or not

endorsing Dell in any sense in this

video but the they they weren't using

the latest AI what did they have what

can we learn from Zach s's Victory

against on the one hand the

AI technology Giants and on the other

hand the chess Geniuses well Kasparov

sums it up for us pretty well it turns

out in a world of AI in a world of

centaurs that a human

team with decent algorithmic advice AI

advice and a good process for deciding

what decisions they make versus what

decisions the algorithm makes Beats not

only the best AI by itself which you

might hope as a human that would be true

but it also Beats

objectively better

players with better machines but a bad

process for figuring out what decisions

they should make versus what decisions

the ALG algorithm should make so there's

some

combination of

process and

humility implied by this that I think

informs the future of leadership

all of us are facing a world of amazing

possibilities and you're hearing about

some of them

today AI is going to become commonplace

artificial intelligence is the new

normal but if you're worried about

leadership I urge you as a former Marine

lead by example look out for the welfare

of your subordinates but don't think as

much about raw IQ don't think as much

about strategy think about

process and think about humility and

think about hold on there are certain

moves that I simply need to accept are

better made by a computer but that

doesn't mean humans are Irrelevant in

the

process when we're thinking about the

new normal I call your attention to a

sign that used to appear in hotel rooms

all of us 20 years from now I believe

are going to have a difficult time

imagining a world where everything isn't

smart where intelligence isn't embedded

the same way that most of us were kind

of aware that there was a world before

electricity but we rely on it without

thinking and it hasn't removed our

humanity and it hasn't removed our need

to do things like lead people but it has

changed things

artificial intelligence is the new

normal and I think there are lessons in

Centaur about process and humility and

doing better what humans do as opposed

to What machines do that you can learn

if you're open-minded and not worried

about AI taking over the world but

instead accepting The New Normal remains

human so with that I appreciate your

attention

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]