In this episode of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher dive into the peculiarities and unexpected challenges of international travel, and the oddities of travel regulations across different countries.
The discussion transitions into a broader dialogue beyond dealing with airport authorities, and peculiar international checkpoints and into the implications on personal privacy, design differentiation, pitching to clients and the differences in product design versus service companies. What does this mean in the evolving world of Digital Transformation for both consultancies and brands looking to stay ahead of the curve?
Join hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher as they look at the evolving landscape of technology, work culture, and AI's impact on strategic decision-making. Episode 18 offers listeners a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights that make for a compelling discussion.
Andrew talks about his visit to the Infosys campus in Bangalore. Joe contrasts this with his time in Hyderabad, sparking a conversation on how different environments can influence work habits and productivity.
The discussion quickly pivots to the essence of adding value in a hyper-busy world, emphasizing the importance and the common pitfalls of modern meeting culture, such as unnecessary attendees and lack of clear agendas, which often lead to inefficiency.
Tune in to "Cognition Drift" for this and more discussions that challenge the conventional, explore new perspectives, and redefine what it means to be productive in the modern world.
In episode 17 of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher embark on a meandering exploration of artificial intelligence, and the seemingly mundane moments that encapsulate life's chaotic essence. The conversation kicks off with a casual chat about their morning routines involving exotic coffees and energy drinks, setting the stage for a deeper dialogue on how everyday intricacies intertwine with broader technological themes.
As they delve into the topic, Andrew and Joe discuss the implications of AI in both personal and professional realms, then shifting towards practical applications of AI in consulting, where both speakers, drawing from their rich backgrounds in the field, critique the current state of AI implementations in business. They ponder the potential shift from efficiency-driven applications to creations that could enhance personal and communal experiences, suggesting a future where AI could personalize interactions to unprecedented levels, weaving digital and real-world experiences seamlessly.
In this episode Joe Fletcher and Andrew Dunbar take a look at value creation in the age of artificial intelligence and digital proliferation. "In a world where AI can produce infinitely, what truly holds value?" This inquiry sets the stage for a thought-provoking conversation about the nature of scarcity and abundance. Throughout the episode, Andrew and Joe explore how value is perceived and created in different fields, from digital product design to live experiences like sports and arts. Tune in to this engaging episode of "Cognition Drift" to explore how we might navigate a future where the lines between digital abundance and human-crafted scarcity blur, creating new paradigms for value and meaning in our lives.
In episode 15, Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher discuss the nuances of craftsmanship, user experience design, and the impact of AI on industry standards. The conversation kicks off with a mundane chat about the importance of skill and dedication, regardless of the profession. Andrew and Joe use the barista's role as a metaphor to discuss broader themes in technology and design. They question whether the democratization of tools through AI leads to a dilution of quality, drawing parallels between a barista mastering their craft and a designer or coder honing their skills. The talk focuses on how businesses often aim for 'good enough' rather than striving for excellence and later, ethical considerations in AI and data usage, reflecting on how technology often advances at the expense of smaller players and less protected regions. The takeaway message is to think about the value of excellence in a world that often settles for convenience.
In this episode of "Cognition Drift," Andrew and Joe again poke around in the evolving landscape of user experience design and the integration of AI in design tools.
Episode 14"If Cotton Candy Was a Robot" ranges from the innocuous beginnings of different energy drinks to the how AI is influencing design practices.
The conversation discusses losing traditional skills due to the increasing reliance on AI, prompting a broader debate on technological dependence versus enhancement. How the notion that AI could lead to "learned helplessness," comparing it to how reliance on GPS has affected spatial awareness skills. They explore the role of AI in automating layout designs in tools like Figma, and how it impacts the quality of organizational output in design.
In Episode 13 of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher delve deep into the evolving landscape of value creation in a world saturated with infinite digital outputs. As AI continues to reshape our understanding of productivity and creativity, the duo explores the paradox of scarcity within abundance and its impact on product design and user experience. Starting with a listener's comment on LinkedIn about the role of scarcity in a world where AI can generate limitless content, Andrew starts a discussion on what truly creates value when quantity is no longer a constraint. Joe brings an insightful perspective on how even mundane or traditional sectors like banking and insurance can intrigue and engage users by reimagining their approach to user experience, evolving into a broader philosophical debate on whether the effort and intent behind a creation, rather than its popularity or medium, imbue it with value.
In episode 12 of the AI Podcast, hosts Joe Fletcher and Andrew Dunbar delve into an engaging discussion about the evolving landscape of User Experience (UX) design and its intersection with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
As UX professionals face the dynamic challenges of 2025 and beyond, Joe and Andrew explore what it means to create meaningful digital experiences in an AI-driven ecosystem. Andrew and Joe address a critical issue in the UX community— the fear of being replaced by AI. They dissect the distinctions between 'low craft' and 'high craft' jobs, emphasizing that while AI may automate more procedural tasks, the creative and empathetic aspects of UX design remain irreplaceably human. This part of the discussion underscores the importance of designers adopting a flexible, learning-oriented mindset to stay relevant. Joe also touches on the potential ageism in tech, suggesting that adaptability might be more naturally present in younger professionals but is equally valuable and possible for older individuals in the field. They explore how blending the innovation-driven energy of younger workers with the seasoned perspectives of experienced professionals can lead to more robust and innovative solutions. Wrapping up, Joe and Andrew reflect on the evolution of user interfaces and how understanding the full spectrum of user experience—from emotional to functional needs—can elevate a designer's work beyond mere aesthetics to meaningful impact. This episode is a must-listen for UX designers, product managers, and anyone interested in how technology reshapes careers and industries. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, the insights shared by Joe and Andrew will provoke thought about your own approach to technology, design, and career longevity in the digital age.
In episode 11 of our podcast, Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher delve into the complex world of creativity and AI's impact on innovation. As technology rapidly evolves, the duo explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative landscape, leading to a proliferation of ideas but also raising questions about the intrinsic value of these outputs.
The conversation kicks off with a casual chat about recent movies, subtly transitioning into a profound discussion on the future trajectory of creativity in an AI-dominated era. Andrew shares insights from a recent interaction on LinkedIn, where the topic of AI-generated videos sparked a debate on the essence and value of creativity when faced with limitless possibilities.
Joe reflects on a past interaction with a creative industry leader who foresaw the challenges and opportunities posed by AI's ability to generate endless content. This segues into a broader discussion on the role of human designers and creators in curating and directing this vast array of output to retain meaningful engagement and value.
A significant part of their exchange focuses on the concept of "taste" and "selection" in a world flooded with choices. How does one discern or curate what truly connects with an audience when everything is just a click away? They ponder the future roles of experience designers and the importance of appealing to specific tastes while managing an overwhelming influx of AI-generated content.
In this episode, Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher dive deep into the intersection of creativity, AI, and digital design. Joe kicks off the conversation sharing his experience of an all-night work session which sparked a profound discussion on the evolving role of websites and the broader implications of AI in design practices. Andrew adds his insights on the shift from AI as an add-on to a foundational element in creating digital experiences, challenging conventional design paradigms.
Ninth episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
This week we are joined by Steve Regis - VP, Engineering at Publicis Sapient. What does all this agentic development and the rise of the AI mean for the future of creativity? Are AI's even creative in the same way that a human is? What does this mean for learning and skill development? What about spirituality?
Eighth episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
This episode covers the dangers of easy answers and how we need to rise above the temptation of mediocrity. What does it mean to embrace our unique humanity and the places that machines will naturally always be stronger.
Seventh episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
What are we learning about intelligence as we move more and more towards Artificial Intelligence becoming an everyday tool? What is the value of craft and experience when we have the vast repository of the internet instantly at our fingertips?
Sixth episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
What happens when we move to AI first websites? How do we design for Agents when humans stop being the first point of contact?
Fifth episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
In this episode we focus on choosing integrity over influence and allowing humans to amplify their humanity rather than try to automate the things that make us special.
Fourth episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
How is the role of Content Strategy now more important than ever, how can AI help us get over the fear of asking questions and how do we keep putting humans before technology despite the rise of the tech bro.
Third episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
In this one we look at how people tend to buy, bot frustration along with balancing efficiency with value - and what does value really mean?
First episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
We talk about how multitasking, what we need for innovation, quick fixes versus hardwork and the importance of a maker mindset.
First episode of a series of conversations between myself, Andrew Dunbar (MENA Lead, Wongdoody - an Infosys Company) and Joe Fletcher (VP, User Experience - International, Publicis Sapient).
We talk about how AI is changing not only our approach to digital in business, but how its changing us as people.