Welcome to Episode 131 of Shape of Tomorrow. I’m Michael, and today’s show is all signal, no noise.

In this episode, I dive into three topics that, while distinct, are tightly connected by one central theme: strategic disruption. We begin with OpenAI’s new shopping feature—a seemingly small update that quietly upends the customer journey and reshapes e-commerce dynamics. I unpack why this matters more than it seems and what every retailer should be doing right now to stay relevant.

Next, I introduce a simple but powerful framework for leaders who are serious about innovating with AI without falling into the trap of AI theatre. I call it Explore, Validate, Embed. It’s a cycle designed to help organizations stay bold, focused, and structured as they navigate emerging technologies.

Finally, I take you through a TEDx talk that caught my attention—one that reframes what we mean by “extended reality.” The demo from Google’s Shahram Izadi didn’t just impress me—it opened up a new paradigm for how AI and spatial computing can come together to create intelligent, ambient computing environments that don’t pull us out of the moment, but enrich it.

Three segments. One throughline. A future that’s not just emerging—it’s accelerating.

Let’s get into it.