Drop the Tech Goggles: Why People and Communities Are the Secret Sauce for AI

Are you still wearing tech goggles, my friend?

It's time to get woke to the new rules for winning at AI.

Spoiler alert: it's all about the people and communities.

The Techno-Tunnel Vision Dilemma

Lots of companies just strap on those AI goggles without peeking at the big picture.

They lead with tech capabilities versus real human needs.

This over-automation risks entrenching historical bias, displacing jobs unfairly, and optimizing for metrics over dignity.

Not a good look.

These technical tunnels also lack key training data for community localization. AI grows ineffective without engaged user feedback loops.

The People Power Paradigm

Taking off our tech goggles reveals a world of possibility through "people-first" AI. This means designing solutions in context, with questions like:

• What human experiences do we need to design holistically?

• How can we create shared ownership and participation?

• What cultural norms and values must we accommodate?

People-first AI adapts systems to empower human potential rather than forcing square peg humans into round hole solutions.

Ya feel me?

Fanatical User Squads = The AI Moat

But people-first alone is still thirsty work without mobilized, engaged communities.

Brands need to curate minimum viable communities (MVCs) of fanatical users who:

• Provide invaluable localized training data. Proprietary sauce.

• Organically promote through word-of-mouth. Built-in marketing.

• Supply rapid feedback to identify biases and iterate responsibly.

• Defend against competitive threats. Protection money.

Convene MVCs early and let them shape the path.

This is the secret recipe for ethical and effective AI.

The Future Calls Us All In

With inclusive leaders, people-first processes, and mobilized communities, we can develop AI that responsibly serves social good.

The future beckons our whole selves. Let's chat!

Many organizations take a “technology-first” approach to AI - leading with capabilities versus real human needs.

But this risks over-automation, entrenched bias, and neglecting socio-cultural contexts.

A “people-first” approach is essential for ethical AI.

However, this alone is insufficient without ongoing community participation.

Combining engaged user communities and a human-centered process ensures AI that augments society responsibly.

The Pitfalls of Technology-First AI

A tech-first mindset can encode historical biases, displace jobs unfairly, and optimize efficiency over human dignity. It struggles to address complex societal challenges.

AI without community participation also lacks key training data for localization. Models grow ineffective or biased over time without user feedback loops.

Putting People at the Center

A people-first approach starts by co-designing solutions that embed properly within social contexts. It answers questions like:

• What human experiences do we need to design holistically?

• How can we create shared ownership and participation?

• What cultural norms and values must solutions accommodate?

This framing adapts AI systems to support human potential versus optimizing for narrow metrics.

Engaged User Communities as an AI Moat

Alongside people-first development, brands must curate minimum viable communities of passionate users.

These “MVCs” provide:

• High-quality localized training data as an invaluable asset

• Trusted brand advocates who organically promote solutions

• Rapid feedback loops to identify biases and iterate appropriately

• Protection from disruption and competitive threats

By convening MVCs early and granting participation in shaping AI systems responsibly, businesses uphold both ethics and effectiveness.

The Path Forward

With inclusive leaders, people-first processes, and engaged user communities, organizations can develop AI that responsibly serves social good.

This combination upholds human dignity while creating durable competitive advantage.

Let's discuss how we can align technological progress with our shared values.

The future is both bright and fragile; we must approach it with care, wisdom and humanity.