What happens when startups like Figma outpace industry giants like Adobe? In this episode of The Innovation Show, Aidan McCullen sits down with bestselling author Sangeet Paul Choudary (Platform Revolution, Reshuffle) to explore how AI, cloud technology, and mindset shifts are reshaping the future of work, design, and competition.

Discover why incumbents often fail—not from lack of innovation, but from failing to unlearn old architectures. Using the case of Figma vs. Adobe, we unpack how element-based design, governance-led workflows, and AI-first thinkingare redefining industries from design to law to construction.

Key takeaways:

• Why adapting mindsets matters more than adopting tools

• How AI is unbundling knowledge work and rewriting career paths

• The importance of governance in enterprise-wide collaboration

• Why the forgetting curve is as critical as the learning curve

 

Perfect for innovators, leaders, and professionals navigating the knowledge economy, this episode is a roadmap for thriving in a world of structural uncertainty where AI and cloud-native startups are rewriting the rules.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:17 The Hammer and the Nail: Misreading New Technology 00:28 Adobe vs. Figma: A Case Study in Innovation 01:03 The Importance of Mindset in Technological Shifts 01:20 Guest Introduction: Sanjeet Paul Choudary 01:49 Figma vs. Adobe: A Deep Dive 04:07 Technological Shifts and Organizational Change 05:57 The Impact of AI on Work and Careers 17:00 Governance vs. Execution in Modern Enterprises 18:22 The Future of Competition and Industry Structure 21:40 The Need for Unlearning in the Age of AI 24:34 Preparing for the Future: Skills and Careers 36:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 38:05 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Message  

📚 Resources & Links

• Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Reshapes the Knowledge Economy

→ https://amzn.to/3HWwj1I

• Platform Revolution

→ https://amzn.to/4mBq2aQ

• Sangeet’s Substack

→ https://substack.com/@platforms/posts

• Aidan’s show notes

→ https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

🎙️ Listen now to learn how to reshuffle your thinking, your organization, and your career for the AI-driven future.