Summary
Recent advances in AI, ML and robotics have many wondering: Will there be no work left for humans to do? As long as we need to deal with climate change, protect wildlife and fragile ecology, feed the world, end disease, resettle refugees, and educate the next generation, there clearly is plenty of work for us all. The more important question is: Are organizations responsible for delivering returns to their shareholders regardless of social, environmental, and human consequences? The good news is that a new type of organization is emerging, one that delivers not just financial returns but serves the greater good of society they operate in.
Key Insights
-
•
AI and automation will change the nature of work, not eliminate it.
-
•
Current societal issues present ample opportunities for meaningful employment.
-
•
Businesses must move beyond profit to contribute positively to society.
-
•
Designers have unique skills that can drive social innovation and impact.
-
•
Systems thinking ensures sustainability in social impact projects.
-
•
Breaking down silos leads to better collaboration and innovation.
-
•
Advocating for users can bridge the gap between clients and community needs.
-
•
Effective communication is critical in social change initiatives.
-
•
Enterprise design principles can be applied successfully in NGOs and social projects.
-
•
The future workplace will demand strategic and creative problem-solving skills.
Notable Quotes
"There is still so much work to be done in addressing climate change, protecting wildlife, rebuilding infrastructure, and more."
"The social responsibility of business is changing from solely increasing profits to also making a positive contribution to society."
"The mission and metrics of business success will need to change to consider societal contributions."
"We enterprise designers are trained to think about the interconnection of systems and multiple sides of the platform."
"When designing for social impact, systems thinking is critical to build trust."
"Silos exist in organizations of all sizes, hindering effective collaboration."
"We have to articulate the value of experience and ease of use that resonates with decision makers and stakeholders."
"The biggest mistake in communication is the illusion that it has happened."
"Successful NGOs understand community needs and articulate their mission to match funding goals."
"Enterprise designers have developed four superpowers that position them as superheroes for social impact."
More Videos
"What do you want your AI to do? What do you want their background to be?"
Noz UrbinaRapid AI-powered UX (RAUX): A framework for empowering human designers
May 1, 2025
"Each first take was the only take, which got pressed on the album."
Jim KalbachJazz Improvisation as a Model for Team Collaboration
June 4, 2019
"Can you sit down with the people that you work with?"
Holly ColeUnderstanding Experiences: When you have to do more than work
November 8, 2018
"Hello, everyone, my name is Jack Behar and I will be leading this session."
Jack BeharHow to Build Prototypes that Behave like an End-Product
December 6, 2022
"Our sponsors put a lot of effort into the sessions so that they can be as high quality as possible for you."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
October 3, 2023
"We had to look outside and ask if we were ready for AI, as the world was moving on without us."
Erika FlowersAI-Readiness: Preparing NASA for a Data-Driven, Agile Future
June 10, 2025
"The future of education lies in collaboration and adaptation."
Kristin SkinnerFive Years of DesignOps
September 29, 2021
"Without these rules and these conventions, we wouldn't have the creativity on top of it."
Jim KalbachJazz Improvisation as a Model for Team Collaboration
November 6, 2017
"There's so much creative talent in 8 billion creative humans on planet Earth."
Surya VankaUnleashing Swarm Creativity to Solve Enterprise Challenges
June 10, 2021
