From Industrial Engineering to AI Visionary: A Conversation with Derek Crager

In our latest Project Flux Spotlight Series, we had the pleasure of hosting Derek Crager, the CEO of Practical AI. This wasn't just another conversation about artificial intelligence; it was a deep dive into the human side of technology, the future of learning, and how AI is poised to be a great equaliser. If you've ever wondered about the real-world impact of AI beyond the headlines, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

The Man Who Saw the Future, Twice

Derek's journey is a fascinating one. He was an early adopter of the internet, launching an e-commerce business in 1990, only to close it in 1993, thinking he had saturated the market. This experience gives him a unique perspective on the current AI boom, which he likens to the early days of the internet. He sees the same potential, the same hype, and the same psychological barriers to adoption. His story is a powerful reminder that while technology moves at lightning speed, human adoption is a much slower, more complex process.

AI: Not a Silver Bullet, but a Powerful Tool

One of the most refreshing takeaways from our conversation with Derek was his pragmatic approach to AI. He's not a hype man; he's a practical implementer. He cautions against viewing AI as a solution for everything, a sentiment that resonates deeply with us at Project Flux. Derek's philosophy, rooted in Occam's Razor, is to start with the problem, not the technology. It's a message that needs to be heard in a world currently obsessed with the shiny new toy of AI.

A Personal Journey: AI as a Superpower

Perhaps the most powerful part of our conversation was when Derek opened up about his personal journey with ADHD and autism. He shared how AI has become a superpower, helping him to overcome the challenges associated with his neurodiversity. His description of using ChatGPT's project mode as an external memory is a brilliant example of how AI can be a true partner, augmenting our abilities and empowering us to achieve our full potential.

"ChatGPT allows me to do that research in a second or two, whereas if I was doing it manually, I might have to dive in, and by the time I dive in and get the answer that I'm looking for, I'm already distracted from my goal and now I've lost my initiative and my momentum."

This part of the conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the human-centric applications of AI.

The Future of Learning is Here

At the heart of Derek's work with Practical AI is a passion for learning. He believes that everyone should have instant access to the information they need, when they need it, and how they need it. His experience at Amazon, where he built a training program that saved the company $152 million a year, is a testament to the power of effective learning.

"We truly believe that everybody in the world should have instant access to the information they need, when they need it, and how they need it. And we delivered that right now at the speed of light."

Now, he's leveraging AI to bring that same level of impact to a wider audience, democratising knowledge and empowering individuals and organisations to thrive in the age of AI.

The Human-AI Partnership

Derek's perspective on AI replacing humans has evolved dramatically. Ten years ago, he believed AI would replace workers. Today, he sees something entirely different:

"I thought that AI was going to replace humans... But today, I see AI as making humans indispensable, making, empowering them so that there's no reason you could ever get rid of them because they're the human quality we just can't overlook."

This shift in thinking represents a fundamental change in how we should approach AI implementation in the workplace.

Why You Need to Listen to the Full Episode

This blog post only scratches the surface of our conversation with Derek Crager. In the full episode, you'll discover:

• How Derek's early internet experience shaped his AI philosophy

• The fascinating story behind his $152 million training program at Amazon

• Practical strategies for implementing AI without falling into the hype trap

• Personal insights on how AI can be a superpower for neurodivergent individuals

• Derek's predictions for the future of human-AI collaboration

• Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about AI and offers a refreshingly human perspective on technology's role in our future.

Listen to the full Project Flux Spotlight Series episode with Derek Crager now.