If you weren’t able to be at CCE2019, you missed it. Here “it” is…at minute 26 and 37 seconds in the exceptional fireside chat with Vint Cerf. “It” is the moment you hear Ritchie Etwaru, Founder and CEO of Hu-manity.co, utter words that would later go viral: ”I’m asking for Vala…”
For those in the room, it became the ultimate inside joke. Vala Afshar, Chief Digital Evangelist at Salesforce and co-host of DisrupTV, is not exactly a shy wallflower terrified of asking his own questions. For me, what this moment revealed was the camaraderie and connection that the Constellation Community has spawned.
In that spirit, we introduce the #Asking4__________ blog, where we ask big questions of this broad network of thinkers, innovators and friends to capture and share their insights. To kick us off, we went to one of our brightest stars in the community Andrew Nebus. I’m pretty sure that if you looked up transformation leader, you’d see a picture of Andrew. This time around, I’m asking some questions for myself…mainly because I am greedy and because I can. That and Vala was super busy…so…you know…
Liz Miller (LM) Q: What is the next big thing – that “thing” in 2020 that could disrupt it all?
Andrew Nebus (NB) A: I see infinite ambient orchestration of experiences taking off in 2020. This has been in the works for some time, but a nexus of technology improvements is hitting now. One of the keys is the growth of AI services general availability. Another is serverless, opening up experience-based designs orchestrating underlying tech. Serverless is at a critical tipping point.
LM Q: What was the big lesson learned in 2019 that will change how you approach things in 2020?
AN A: I learn something almost every day. Staying teachable is one of the most important things each of us can do. It is also important that we re-learn lessons.
Something I learned again: I love vacationing with my father. He used to join me at tech conferences in the early 2000s and have a blast hanging out exploring cities. This year, we took a great trip to Iceland. I re-learned how fun it is to explore with him. In 2020, I am booking more father-son trips. (Note to Andrew: I hear Half Moon Bay is AMAZING in October…)
LM Q: Three technologies you are keeping an eye on moving into the next decade – for either personal, professional or profoundly peculiar reasons and why?
AN A: Green Tech: In this decade we are going to have much bigger disruptions in battery development, energy supply chains, and plant-based meat. I am looking for profound improvements to tackle decarbonization challenges at scale. We cannot expect individuals to take all the actions to solve the problems of giant industries and nations.
Next, with exponential growth of AI, automations, and algorithmic managers, I am watching the bias and harm of automated tech. As Chris Salles said at CCE2019, even innocuous sounding automations & human augmentation has impacts on the other side. We need leaders to step up. "Discrimination blind" tech and policies will continue to harm disadvantaged communities.
And I am going to take a mulligan. Like everyone, I am keeping an eye on autonomous vehicles. They are chock full of enough tech for any geek to enjoy, and I love platforms. Personally, I want safer driving technology and increased mobility for folks. There will be huge impacts on employment and even how roads work, a lot to watch.
LM Q: Technologies from the last decade you are saying goodbye to as we move into this new decade?
AN A: This is a hard one, as I hang on to things for quite some time… I just recycled a Laserdisc player.
First, I have bought my last internal combustion vehicle. The major range anxiety, charging time, and so forth have been mostly solved and electric works for me. It will take a while for the industry to change, but it will get there, and we will see a lot in the next decade. I am excited to see what my second* electric vehicle will be by 2030! (*Third if we count an electric Ford Ranger I used sometimes back in my Edison days.)
Next, goodbye Python 2.7! It is hard to believe this version came out in 2010, but it has been a rock star for a decade. It and its libraries changed so much about so much, including data science. In January it goes end-of-life. Of course, I won't say goodbye to Python, only version 2!
Finally, all the failed video/augmented reality headsets of the 2010s. I’ve had versions of this tech for so long, and the hit is not released yet. Goodbye Google Glass, Microsoft HoloLens, even Oculus Rift/Quest/Go. I’m looking forward to new mixed reality in the next decade.
About Andrew Nebus:
Andrew's extensive background includes building high performing teams, rethinking organizations, and executive strategy. Expertise includes architecture, data science, information security and compliance, and organizational transformation. He advises on the impact of digital transformation, evidence-based decision making, AI, data privacy, Blockchain, chatbots, and how digital disruption overcomes legacy organizational culture. He has a reputation for perceptual acuity and building trusted versions of organizations.
Andrew is currently at ASRC Federal. ASRC Federal companies deliver a wide range of services to help United States Federal government customers execute their critical missions. He has served as Command Staff and CIO at the Baltimore City Police Department, TAC Officer at the NJ Transit Police, and CIO of Edison, New Jersey.
Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewNebus