Peter Hinssen

This is a keynote about a Never Normal future. Not the bleak, dystopian kind that so many seem convinced we're heading toward, but one that is built on hope, possibility, and progress.

The accelerating pace of change seems to fuel the belief that we’re living in an age of unprecedented volatility, where emerging technologies have to be restrained before they spiral out of control. But uncertainty isn’t unique to our time. It’s a feature of life, not a bug. And it’s also where the greatest possibilities emerge.

Today, humanity faces a complex set of global challenges, from technological and geopolitical shocks to biological, social, and ecological disruptions. But fear, hesitation, and avoidance won’t help us meet them. Slowing down is not the answer. We need to move faster, think bigger, and harness the full potential of technology to build a future worth longing for. We need active hope. And bold, visionary leaders who understand how to reframe adversity into opportunities. That’s why the Uncertainty Principle zooms in on the key levers of transformation that will help leaders rethink and reinvent their companies as vessels of progress: strategy, foresight, organizational design, management, culture, innovation, risk appetite, and the evolving nature of work itself.

Above anything else, this keynote will inspire business leaders to see cracks in the system not as warnings, but as windows. It’s for those people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world. Because they are the ones who will.

Everybody is talking about AI, but the discussion tends to center around the two extremes of hype or doomism. In this keynote filled with practical examples and cases, Peter Hinssen wants to demystify AI in order to provide his audience with a profound and nuanced story of both the challenges and the immense potential of this technology.

These are the 4 pillars of his presentation:

Evolution of Artificial Intelligence - From Then to Tomorrow
Application of AI - Realities and Responsibilities
Implementing AI - Leveraging Power and Getting Started
Phoenix Potential - Transforming with the Power of AI
In this uniquely topical keynote, Peter starts by outlining the disruptive journey of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from its inception to the dawn of generative AI and beyond. He delves into some historical milestones, the resurgence of neural networks, and the advancements in machine learning and deep learning that have set the stage for the current era of AI. He also emphasizes the applications and implications of generative AI across various sectors, forecasting future innovations that promise to redefine the field.

Addressing the realities of AI, Peter debunks common myths, setting realistic expectations for AI's capabilities and limitations. He highlights the challenges of interpretability, biases, and privacy concerns in AI applications, advocating for responsible use through effective governance and ethical frameworks. This segment of his keynote underscores the critical balance between innovation and ethical considerations in leveraging AI's potential.

In guiding businesses on implementing AI, Peter provides a practical roadmap for leveraging AI to enhance operations, improve decision-making, and gain a competitive edge. He discusses assessing organizational readiness, selecting the right AI technologies, and fostering an AI-centric culture. The focus is on the strategic integration of AI, emphasizing data quality, model acquisition and overcoming operational and cultural challenges to foster innovation and growth.

Concluding with the transformative power of AI in this Never Normal era of constant change, Peter inspires businesses to embrace AI as a catalyst for radical innovation and continuous improvement. Through case studies of phoenix companies that have successfully leveraged AI, he illustrates its role in driving innovation, optimizing operations, and identifying market trends. In doing so, he encourages businesses to harness AI's potential, turning their current challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Unicorn start-ups are brilliant. But, let’s be honest, very few of us will start one, become one, or work for one. Most of us are connected to large companies that often struggle to keep themselves relevant for the ever-changing customer. That’s why this keynote is about a creature that’s just as magical but perhaps offers a more realistic inspiration: the Phoenix. These are the companies that – just like this mythical bird – are able to rethink themselves in cycles: time and time again they rise from the ashes of the old, and come out stronger than ever before. They are the Walmarts, the Volvos, the Disneys, the Apples, the Microsofts, the Ping Ans, the Assa Abloys and AT&Ts of this world.

This keynote is about understanding what is happening in a world of constant change. It’s about observing and trying to learn from the Unicorns. But primarily, it tells the story of how companies can ACT on their Day After Tomorrow, and how they can apply innovation as an antidote to a radically changing environment. It doesn’t just zoom in on WHAT you need to do in order to innovate, but also on HOW you can make innovation a reality in your organization.

From the deceivingly simple Hourglass model, to the types of innovation, company culture, organizational disruption, platforms, customer experience, organizational structure and many inspiring innovation cases: if you are working in a traditional business or market, this keynote will help you reinvent yourself like a Phoenix.

The world is more fluid and unpredictable than ever, presenting business leaders with many economic, geopolitical, societal and ecological challenges. While many view this “Never Normal” as a risk, this Executive Masterclass is designed to help you see opportunity and transform today’s uncertainty into bold, future-ready and innovative business strategies.

1. Understanding and Leading the Never Normal World
Peter will fully immerse you in the Never Normal: what exactly is it, what are its ingredients and what are the risks and opportunities of this brand new era?

Some of the topics that will be discussed:

The Ingredients of the Never Normal

Geopolitical risks and opportunities
Understanding and leveraging emerging technologies: AI, Big Data, Web3, AR/VR/XR, IoT, robotics, quantum computing, etc.
Fostering a Day After Tomorrow (long term oriented) mindset
Leadership and culture in the Never Normal
Work in the age of automation and AI Agents
Building a Never Normal-proof innovation strategy
2. Thriving in a Never Normal World
Above all, the aim of the Masterclass is to help you thrive in the Never Normal and design your own opportunities. Peter will explain how you can build a resilient strategy and an organizational set-up that are fit for our current hyperfluid business reality.

Some of the topics that will be tackled:

Reinventing yourself like a Phoenix in the Never Normal
How to structure and organize yourself for the Never Normal
Methods for becoming immune to disruption
How to design your business for both survival and success
The Innovation Strategy Masterclass is available in three formats:
Turbo: an in-depth one day crash course, including all the topics described above.
Supercharged: a more collaborative two day program, including tailored workshops.
Condensed: a highly concentrated half day online course, containing all the necessary basics