Navigating the Future Podcast

Tired of AI brainstorming sessions that end with lots of ideas but no clear next steps?Ben and Steve share practical strategies for running AI discovery workshops that actually lead somewhere. You'll learn how to spot valuable AI opportunities, get buy-in from doubters, and turn vague concepts into concrete plans.

Through real examples from banking, retail, and education, they show you how to move from "we should try AI" to "here's what we're building." Perfect for anyone wanting to cut through the AI buzz and start making real progress.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshwaterfutures.substack.com

In this episode, Ben Hogan and Steve Shaw dive into the real-world strategies for getting started with AI in risk-averse organisations. From creating safe, low-investment learning labs to navigating governance and privacy hurdles, they share practical approaches to building momentum - even when executive buy-in is lacking. Learn how small wins, hands-on workshops, and smart policy tweaks can spark large-scale transformation.

Whether you’re a leader, innovator, or just feeling stuck - this one’s for you.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshwaterfutures.substack.com

Ben Hogan (Founder, Freshwater Futures) and Steve Shaw (CRO) kick off Navigating the Future by unpacking how Freshwater Futures is helping organisations cut through the AI hype. From executive education to validated prototypes, discover a practical, low-risk path to enterprise AI adoption—designed for real-world impact.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshwaterfutures.substack.com

Welcome back to Navigating the Future!

Today’s topic: OpenAI's latest announcement about GPT-4.0 and its implications for businesses and strategies.

Key Announcements and Features:

Launch of GPT-4.0:

GPT-4.0, the new flagship model from OpenAI.

Enhanced capabilities for ubiquitous AI in business and daily life.

Omnimodal Capabilities:

GPT-4.0 can understand and generate audio natively, including emotions and speaker identification.

Faster and more fluent AI conversations.

Direct understanding of video frames and charts.

Comparable advancements to Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro.

Business Implications:

Customer Support:

Improved customer support bots with natural conversational abilities.

Ideal for tutoring, coaching, and user support.

Desktop Integration:

New desktop features for ChatGPT, acting as a "sidekick."

Can see your screen and assist in real-time.

Potential for full-time pair programming and enhanced work assistance.

Accessibility:

GPT-4.0 will be free and available to everyone.

Expected democratisation of AI usage beyond AI enthusiasts to a broader workforce.

Emphasis on training staff in data privacy and robust security measures to prevent data leaks.

Impact on Product Development:

API Improvements:

New API version to be released soon, doubling speed and halving costs.

Example: Grade4Me, a teacher assistant built with GPT-4 API, will grade homework faster, better, and more cost-effectively.

Software Development:

Improved code quality and performance in IDEs.

More efficient coding and higher quality outputs for developers.

Conclusion:

GPT-4.0 by OpenAI has significant implications for business operations and innovation.

Stay updated with Navigating the Future for more insights on technological advancements and business strategies.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshwaterfutures.substack.com

As OpenAI launches their GPT store this week we're sure to see some exciting use-cases, but..

beware the fine print!

for business users, the standard edition has unfavourable data protection terms and the enterprise edition is very expensive and hard to buy.

If you’re looking for an alternative solution I have some ideas. This podcast is also available on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingthefuture) on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/agileben) on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/agileben/) or Substack.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshwaterfutures.substack.com