Every week, we put together a list of our top 5 articles of the past week. Happy reading!
Tesla, software and disruption Benedict Evans, a16z
I like how Benedict Evans explains the concept of disruption. It occurs when a new concept changes the basis of competition in an industry. He asks the question about Tesla; is this car company truly “disrupting” the car industry? It’s an intriguing analysis that dives into what Tesla’s competitive advantage can be (batteries, experience, autonomy or software/integration).
What to Do When Algorithms Rule Behavioral Scientist
There is a deep human resistance to letting machines make decisions for us. One of the reasons is the difficulty in demonstrating the value of something that is statistically superior. This fascinating read explores how people can accept to let algorithms make decisions that they are better suited for but also when should they work together.
Alibaba and the Future of Business Harvard Business Review
Much has been said about the development of ecommerce in China particularly in this newsletter. This fresh new angle by Ming Zheng, EVP at Alibaba, details the new rules of business in a digital world, notably automating all operational decisions. I particularly like his conclusion of getting smarter faster.
Demystifying Artificial Intelligence. What is Artificial Intelligence & explaining it from different dimensions. Swami Chandrasekaran, Pragmatic Perspectives
I’ve become enamored with understanding how artificial intelligence really works. It’s surprising to see how much it is used in different business contexts but without leaders having a true understanding of what it does. This infographic attempts to capture the relevant pieces of AI in a simple image.
Who needs democracy when you have data? MIT Technology Review
This is a terrifying read about China’s digital totalitarian state. A state of 1.4 billion relies on a combination of surveillance, AI, and big data to monitor people’s lives and behavior in minute detail. The article covers in depth the origin of the program and the effect it has had on every day life
