HP at Davos: "We lose money on the hardware we, make money on the supplies." Bet. No Cap.

 

I've been saying this from the beginning: Covid changed the way we saw work, it illuminated the managerial redundancies and hierarchy hypocrisies - then AI hit the masses - and is changing everything again.  

"I think the pandemic showed the different way of work, create a different type of need...this is showing that all of us as companies, we need to make significant changes in how do we connect, manage, develop, grow our employees to make them successful." L, HP

We are doing more with less, because of Ai.

There's more.  NVidia, HP, Dell are going to catch headwinds like nothing else since the 90s.  Indeed, this next iteration will blow all other KPIs, benchmarks and models off the planet.

Imagine, if you will, every PC being refreshed in a five year period...or 24 months or in twelve.

This is what looms over the horizon.

WebMD is the latest Fool

He isn't asking, he is informing.

This argument isn't about working from home - that ship has sailed and exposed the true nature of the corporate world - humans are a resource. Now, this wasn't a bad or good thing, it was just a thing.  

Taylorism.

With Ai enabling more to be done with fewer (knowledge workers, labor and C-Level executives) and the fear of Covid exposing redundant managerial layers, outdated business philosophies and practices, and the ability of the individual to be productive in ANY environment they chose - the C Suite has become less relevant.

And THAT IS THE FEAR.  Not CRE, productivity or "organic, face to face, collaboration..."

The jig is up, the news is out.

In a stunning display of corporate tone-deafness, Internet Brands, the parent company of WebMD, recently released an internal video, which was mistakenly shared publicly, revealing a troubling stance on remote work. The video features a series of company executives, including CEO Bob Brisco, who starkly declared, “We aren’t asking or negotiating at this point. We are informing you of how we need to work together going forward.” This directive starkly contrasts with the evolving landscape of work, where flexibility and employee autonomy are increasingly valued.

The Inescapable Office: How Vacations Became the New Frontier of Work

I see it...the full of the Moon. 

 Work Life doesn't have a balance, it simply Is. It is 'Life' not 'Work/Life'. Those who promote a balance are progressing the idea of separation in everything.

Life is not a collection of bio-spheres, silo's and hierarchies.

...or...I could be wrong...also, for those just discovering this "...decamp from your home to somewhere nice and report to work from there, remotely..."

WELCOME! 

 There is nothing better than conducting an hour long, client facing WebEx(I just dated myself) in the hotel room, then jaunting down to the pool.

That is how life should be.

It isn't work, when you like how it is you do what you do...

Risky Ai: The Darkness of Digital Brains

In a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Show, dated December 19, 2023, Aza Raskin and Tristan Harris, luminaries in the tech realm and co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology, engaged in a conversation that peeled back the layers of open source artificial intelligence (AI). 

"In the context of office technology and copiers, the revelations shared by Raskin and Harris carry profound implications. The sophisticated AI systems that power modern copiers and office technology are not immune to the risks associated with open source vulnerabilities. The potential for these technologies to fall into the wrong hands, coupled with their application in nefarious activities, poses a significant threat to businesses relying on advanced technological infrastructures."

Join Us! "Unveiling the Future: A Livestream About AI for Business Owners"

The Dawn of a New Era in Business Intelligence

Have you ever pondered the relentless pace at which artificial intelligence is not just evolving but revolutionizing industries?

In an upcoming webinar, a cadre of AI aficionados and business savants are set to demystify the AI revolution, offering a rare glimpse into the future of business intelligence. This isn't just another discussion; it's a deep dive into the practical, transformative power of AI, led by those who are not just riding the wave but steering it.

The Resurgence of Managed Print Services: A New Dawn?

I've been asking this for over a year now, "Is MpS is back?"

Surprisingly, dealers and salespeople have been telling me their Prospects are asking for managed print services. Prospects have a definition of managed print services, see a need and are actively seeking out providers.  

Not like the old days.

MPS is not merely surviving; it's thriving and adapting in ways that promise a brighter, more efficient future for businesses worldwide.

What Exactly Is Ai Doing for the Copier Dealers?

There is no (Artificial) Intelligence in Office Technology Today.

Is Artificial Intelligence helping copier dealers increase sales, decrease costs and grow profits? Today? Right now?  

No.  

Here's the deal:

• Everyone is looking for that ‘Killer AI App” – they are looking at it wrong.
• Everyone thinks AI is a great tool for marketing – they are thinking wrong.
• Everyone is biased toward AI regulations – their bias is misplaced.

There isn’t going to be an “AI Killer AP” because Artificial Intelligence IS the killer app.  

Sure, Ai can generate reams of well structure, grammatically correct, and coherent copy - much like any newspaper up until 1988 - for a fraction of the human cost.  And yes, branded images, logos, videos and voice overs are a few clicks away from fruition.  But in the end, organic writing will prevail as Ai will level the playing field, making us all the best writers and artists, money can buy.*

We are in the explorer phase of the journey, like da Gamma, Columbus and Luis and Clark. Regulation, guidelines and laws will need to wait until the pioneers and settlers arrive.  For now, we are making up behaviors as we go.  Any attempt to reign in the fury will only frustrate and irritate our efforts, and stifle innovation.  Besides, rules and regs on Ai at this point will not work they will only separate the sheep from the rebels - possibly turning heroes into pariahs.

2024 Office Technology Predictions? No. Not this Year.

In the old days, companies would meet between Christmas and New Year's to update a five year plan.

Since 2020, the act is futile.

Covid is over, for now.  Today, WFH and AI are huge gravitational forces impacting the present.

Like never before.

Anyone telling you they can predict the next 6 months is selling something. 

So this year, 2023, there will be no DOTC predictions.

The best way to predict the future is to create the Future.

Let's create.

The NorthStar News, On LinkedIn

Revolutionizing Tech: AI Influencers, Quantum Computing, and Digital Transformation - NorthStar News

The Rise of the Virtual Celebrities: AI's New Frontier in Entertainment 🤖💰

"Discover how AI influencers are revolutionizing the digital landscape. Futurism reveals, 'These virtual beings... have opened up new possibilities in how we think about celebrity and influence.' Dive into the world where digital personas drive real-world profits."

IBM's Quantum Leap: Unveiling the 133-Qubit Heron Processor 🌌🔬

"IBM's 133-Qubit Heron Processor marks a significant milestone in quantum computing. SiliconANGLE showcases this leap, promising unprecedented computational power and potential."

How AI, Remote Work, and Covid Reshape the Workplace

"We are moving away from the "normal" industrial economy where labor, equipment, and capital produced reliable outputs; a handful of media gatekeepers provided reliable access to people's attention, and it was relatively easy to keep winners and make plans." - Dror Poleg

The adage, "If somebody else says it, it must be true..." works here.

I've been going on about how the convergence of the fear of Covid, the work from anywhere movement and now Ai/LLMs annihilates current social, and business models.

Send in the Robots: They're Already Here #Tesla

Tesla unveils its latest humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2, in demo video

the video is real...

The Convergence, in my humble view, is the point in time when all things become one.

Like a gravity well or blackhole, everything in the real; time, technology, society, politics, even our individual conscious, share the same space and time.

Think of it like how phone, cable, and the internet were all single, siloed disciplines - now they are one.

For Ai, another step toward general intelligence involves participating on the same physical versus virtual world.  Sensors come to mind as Ai connects to the sights, sounds.  

Those two senses are covered. Touch, taste and smell are not far behind. 

Actually, they are already here.

My January 2023 Interview with GTP: Asking questions about data and quantum computing?

How important is asking questions when working with ChatGtp or any other AI?

One night, more accurately, early on January morning, I sat in front of a computer and hashed out an understanding with ChatGPT3.0.

We "talked" about questions and quantum computing.  Connecting desperate data sets and ubiquitous sensors.

This is the result of my interview of OpenAI ChatGPT, January, 2023.

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'The NorthStar' - A Fusion of AI Brilliance and Human Insight in Business and Technology Reporting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Greg Walters contact@grwalters.com

Greg Walters Launches 'The NorthStar' - A Fusion of AI Brilliance and Human Insight in Business and Technology Reporting

(12/2023, Ft. Myers) - In a groundbreaking move, tech visionary Greg Walters announces the debut of The NorthStar (www.grwalters.com), a cutting-edge digital platform that marries Business, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence in a symphony of insightful content. This unique website promises to deliver a fresh perspective on how these critical domains interact with our lives.

Central to The NorthStar's innovative approach is its "Constellation of Writers," a team composed not only of human experts but also advanced AI/ChatGPT-based writers. This blend of human creativity and AI intellect is a testament to the site's commitment to pioneering journalism in technology. Readers can explore this unique collaboration at The Constellation of Writers, where AI-generated insights complement human narrative, offering a diverse and comprehensive view of the tech world.

Building upon the legacy of his acclaimed websites - The Death Of The Copier (www.thedeathofthecopier.com) and The Office Tech Tap (www.theofficetechtap.com), Greg Walters continues to pioneer the conversation on technology's role in business. The NorthStar is not merely a website; it is a hub for innovative thought, showcasing how artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of our understanding and reporting on technology and business.

"Embracing AI in journalism, especially in fields as dynamic as technology and business, enables us to dive deeper and uncover insights that were previously unattainable," explains Greg Walters. "At The NorthStar, we're not just discussing the future; we're actively shaping it with every article."

The NorthStar invites readers to experience an array of topics, from the bleeding edge of AI research to transformative business technologies, all through a lens that blends human expertise with AI's analytical power.

Join us at www.grwalters.com for a journey into the evolving landscape of technology and business, illuminated by the brightest human and AI minds in the industry.

About Greg Walters: Greg Walters is an acclaimed figure in the technology and business sectors, with over thirty years of experience. His writings offer a visionary perspective on the interplay of technology, business, and society, earning him a respected position in tech journalism. Greg's work is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of technology, making his platforms essential for understanding our increasingly digital world.

END

Art & Greg: Ask Us Anything

Embark on an enlightening journey through the realms of technology and business with two seasoned experts, Greg Walters and Art Post. This interactive session is a convergence of insights from TheDeathOfTheCopier and P4P Hotel, platforms renowned for their deep dive into managed print services and much more.

Event: Ask Us Anything Date: December 8, 2023 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST Platform: Zoom

2024: AI Begins Dismantling The C Suite

The Genie is out, he isn't going back and wants us to take his place in the bottle.

Attention is being driven towards "AI Enhanced" applications - MS Co-Pilot is a prime example as is Einstein from Salesforce.  In our little niche, Service Now and ConnectWise recently released their "generative AI" platform enhancing efforts.

This is a ruse, an unintentional distraction to lull us into conformity and continued usage.

Embracing the New Era: Decoding the 38th Annual Dealer Survey on TheDeathOfTheCopier"

Check out the survey driven article over on The Office Tech Tap. It's not just an analysis; it's a navigation chart through the transforming seas of office technology.

The World According to Greg: AI's Journey - From Genesis to Enlightenment

ChatGPT says,

_______

Visualizing the Transformative Journey of Artificial Intelligence Through Seven Pivotal Stages

In the illuminating article "AI's Journey from Genesis to Enlightenment" by Greg Walters, we are taken on an enthralling journey through the seven evolutionary stages of artificial intelligence, each stage marking a pivotal moment in this technological renaissance.

The voyage commences with AI's humble beginnings, where simple outputs like haikus captivate despite their simplicity. As we progress, societal reactions oscillate between awe and fear, signaling the rise of fear and regulation. This stage witnesses the emergence of 'experts', framing AI within the bounds of caution and control​​.

As AI integrates into existing systems, it subtly enhances them without full transformation. However, a paradigm shift soon occurs. AI evolves from a mere enhancement to a transformative force, reshaping established norms, processes, and even societal structures​​.

The Vanguard of Managed Print Services in a Digital World

It's no secret, I align with like-minded people in an effort to bring the latest technology to the forefront of our niche and beyond.  I meet hundreds of people and organizations and talk about their views and philosophies on making business better.

Not every discussion leads to an epiphany or any degree of enlightenment. My talks with the MyQ team check both boxes and more.

Check out a vendor deep dive over at The Office Tech Tap to see if their ideas match yours.

Copier Reps & ChatGPT: Dedicate, Dive, Envision, Start

Start Using ChatGPT Every, Single, Day

I attended an AI based session the other day. Point of reference, the steady torrent of relevant, informative and inciteful content about AI is almost more than we can bare. I often view two or three sessions at the same time, you should try it.

This session represented a thin slice of the potential that awaits every, single person in the copier industry - this IS THE BIG ONE. AI is changing the way we sell, but more importantly, and a point I know the entire industry is missing, AI is changing the way organizations make purchasing decisions.  

You better pay attention on a personal basis.

Xerox is The Death of The Copier: Unleashed 🐦🔥

The Third Day

📈 Breaking News: Xerox's Latest Earnings Report 📈

Before we dive into the transformative journeys of Xerox and IBM, it's worth noting the latest earnings report from Xerox. The company recently swung to a third-quarter profit, with a net income of $49 million—a significant turnaround from last year's loss. This positive financial performance adds another layer to the story of Xerox's ongoing transformation. 

Now, let's get into the article.

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The 'Death of the Copier'—a phrase that conjures images of obsolescence, but let's set the record straight. 

When I say 'Death of the Copier,' I'm talking about the ultimate rebirth of beliefs, norms, status quo, and in this case, Xerox. 

Xerox has metamorphosed from a company synonymous with photocopying to a digital force offering augmented reality, AI-driven services, and so much more. This isn't just survival; it's enlightenment.

But will it last?  Is Xerox set to survive or thrive?  Are we watching an elephant dance?