AI Mindset Keynote at Innovate West 2024 in Vancouver

Hey, internet! Kris Krug here, your digital bard, weaving tales from the bleeding edge of the tech renaissance at Innovate West. Armed with my cybernetic insights and a dash of hacker’s wisdom, let’s decode the symphony of bytes and beliefs that unfolded in this year’s grand showcase.


New Keynote: “Developing an AI Mindset

First up, my “Developing an AI Mindset” keynote. I took that packed auditorium of rebel thinkers and innovators on a full immersion journey into our AI-powered future. We didn’t just theorize – I gave them a hands-on experience of how artificial intelligence is redrawing the maps across industries.


The McLuhan Connection: AI as the New Message

Drawing from McLuhan’s perspective—“the medium is the message”—I explored how AI is not merely changing the tools we use but reshaping our entire approach to communication and interaction. At the keynote, I emphasized that AI is a medium that forces us to evolve, presenting us with unprecedented opportunities to enhance our human capabilities, rather than diminish them. This medium has the power to reboot our societal connections, encouraging us to think and solve problems at levels previously out of reach.


The New Lexicon of AI

Reflecting on Douglas Coupland’s thoughts about the infinite potential for future nostalgia, I discussed how AI is crafting a new lexicon not for the past, but for anticipating future possibilities. In my talk, I positioned AI not as a disruptor but as an enabler, a creative partner that helps us navigate and construct our future stories. It’s about leveraging AI to weave a vibrant tapestry of human-machine collaboration, where technology enhances our creativity.


Unpacking AI: My Keynote Journey

During the keynote, I shared the importance of adopting an “AI mindset” in today’s digital landscape. This mindset is centered around adaptability, creativity, and an unending quest for knowledge. It’s not solely about understanding AI but about integrating it into our daily lives and workflows to augment our human interactions and creative outputs.

I presented practical examples of how AI acts as a problem-solving tool, optimizing everything from routine tasks to complex creative processes. Think of AI as your ultimate backstage crew in the theater of life, ensuring the spotlight shines brightly on your performance.


Creativity and AI: A Dynamic Duo

One of the highlights of the talk was illustrating AI’s role in enhancing creativity. I discussed how we can engage AI not as a replacement but as a muse and collaborator. This partnership merges AI’s analytical capabilities with our creative spirit to pioneer new artistic and professional realms. This collaboration is about sharing the journey with AI, where each turn opens doors to new possibilities.


Ethical AI: Navigating the New Frontier

I concluded with a vital discussion on the ethics of AI. Integrating AI into our lives and enterprises isn’t merely a technological upgrade but a moral imperative. How we implement AI—from customer service bots to creative tools—must reflect our values and ethical standards. It’s about ensuring that as we advance, we do so not only with efficiency but with integrity.


Taking This Keynote Global

I’m excited to announce that the conversation doesn’t stop here. I’m looking to bring this keynote to organizations worldwide to ignite discussions on how we can co-evolve with AI to unlock new potentials in creativity, productivity, and human connection.

If you’re intrigued by the fusion of AI with daily creativity and problem-solving, or if your organization is navigating these transformations, let’s connect! Together, we can explore how to leverage AI not just to future-proof our skills but to deepen our human experience.


Navigating the Adaptability Paradox

The heart of my talk tackled the “Adaptability Paradox.” How do we harness the colossal power of AI without losing our quintessential human spirit? It’s about choreographing a delicate dance between technological prowess and the timeless rhythms of human insight, ensuring our journey into the digital future enhances, rather than eclipses, the human experience.

Thanks for tuning in. Here’s to crafting a future where technology amplifies our human spirit. Let’s keep the dialogue going—reach out if you want to bring this conversation to your team or event!


Appendix: Check Out the Keynote Companion Microsite

Curious minds, I’ve got just the thing for you! Swing by our keynote companion microsite, Developing an AI Mindset. It’s not your average dusty digital archive—it’s a lively lounge where we dissect AI’s quirks and features. Here, you’ll find deeper dives into how AI is reshaping our world, from diagnosing your sniffles to rebooting Wall Street. Got opinions or just starting your AI adventure? Chime in with the poll featured on the site to help shape our ongoing cosmic conversation. This isn’t just a space to explore AI—it’s where curiosity meets community, with a dash of digital wit!


A Digital Dialogue with Guy Kawasaki

Speaking of human essence, I caught up with my man Guy Kawasaki for an epic vlog session. The Canva wizard broke down how AI has turbocharged his creativity to insane levels, turning him into an idea factory. I echoed that sentiment, sharing how AI has me firing on levels I never dreamed possible as an artist and entrepreneur.

And let me tell you, the vibes and insights reverberating from Innovate West are more than just trendy thoughts – they’re beacons lighting the path forward. These conversations have forever shifted my worldview on AI’s potential to augment and amplify human abilities.

That’s why I’m taking this mission on the road. The AI mindset isn’t just a keynote, it’s a full immersion into mastering the tools and mindsets we need to thrive in this new era. I’m cooking up workshops, panels,, you name it – all with the goal of demystifying AI and putting that power into everyone’s hands.


As the digital dust settles, the echoes of our explorations at Innovate West resonate, sparking dialogues and ideas that will ripple through the tech community for years to come.

For those who missed the magic of Guy Kawasaki’s keynote, dive into my recap, “From Timbits to Tech Titans: Guy Kawasaki’s Blueprint for Innovation,” where I unravel the threads of his visionary discourse.

As we reconnect with our digital routines, let’s not lose sight of the profound connections—between people, ideas, and machines—that Innovate West has rekindled. This is merely the beginning. The real magic unfurls as we harness these sparks of innovation to kindle the flames of transformative change.


Until our paths cross again in the digital ether, keep tuning into the frequencies of innovation and creativity. Let’s keep hacking the narrative, one pixel at a time. Over and out—KK.



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