143 / John Maeda: Creativity, Risk, and the Role of AI

Product Momentum Podcast

In this episode, John Maeda explains that software products are tools that help us achieve our broader goals – like caring for loved ones and strengthening our relationships – rather than the ultimate objective. So it’s no surprise that John frames artificial intelligence as a power tool that levels up our human potential to create an even better future.

John Maeda, VP of Engineering and the Head of Computational Design and AI Platforms at Microsoft, joined the Product Momentum team to record a live podcast episode on the heels of his conference-opening keynote at ITX’s Product + Design Conference, in late-June.

Humans Are ‘Wired for Creativity’

“I think creativity is the foundation of creating capital,” John says. “That capital is emotional capital or sometimes financial capital. But it is a thing that maybe we humans are wired to do.”

Risk-versed vs. Risk-averse

Creating does not come without risk, however. Because the act of creation is a choice, it requires a competitor’s mindset. Deep down, true competitors don’t play to win; they play to maybe win. Like product managers, designers, and engineers who devote their expertise to create things that do not yet exist, they understand the risks that come with innovation. And they approach their work from a risk-versed mindset — an approach that drives our pursuit of innovation while recognizing the inherent risks.

Within the context of AI, we enjoy a vast ocean of opportunity to tap into, John adds. But to take advantage of AI tools in this way, we need to understand the difference between risk-versed and risk-averse. “To pursue that blue zone of possibility, you need to be risk-versed,” John explains. “AI is understandable; It just takes your attention to go there.”

Understanding AI Requires “The Player’s Mindset’

“Going there” is to embrace the player’s mindset – not the victim’s. While some see AI and grumble, “It’s going to take my job” or “It’s going to be a competitive force against me,” others see the blue ocean of opportunity.

“Anyone who’s afraid of AI is afraid of it because they don’t understand it,” John says. “Positives and negatives are a part of every new technology; we tend to focus on the negatives so much that we forget that everything technological is not always bad. If we are to truly understand [AI], it’s important for us to continue to ask these questions.

Be sure to catch the entire episode with John Maeda to hear him discuss the following topics:

(04:02) Life is lived in 4 quarters: 0 to 25 years, 25 to 50, 50 to 75 years, and 75 to 100. Make the most of the 2^nd quarter.

(06:43) I like to pursue things that I don’t know; when you have no reference for how things are done, you’re kind of free to make your own way.

(9:22) What mindset do you choose: will you be a victim of AI? Or invite AI to be your co-pilot?

(10:39) The potential of AI to augment human capabilities: what humans can do by themselves, what AI can do for humans, and the new possibilities that arise when humans leverage AI.

(11:42) To understand and embrace AI, we need to be risk-versed, not risk-averse.

(14:04) How powerful art is! Creativity is the foundation of creating capital – both emotional capital and financial capital.

(17:57) Powerful tools in the hands of the wrong people is a theme of every technology story.

(19:17) Everyone seems to be talking about AI. But why isn’t AI everywhere already?

(24:07) We’re in the Unknown / Unknown quadrant for how to manage AI.

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You can also watch our episode with John Maeda on the Product Momentum YouTube channel!

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