Dan Figueiredo stands at the forefront of today's tech revolution. As a global technology strategist with decades of experience — including his role at Microsoft — he translates complex innovation into tangible value for businesses worldwide. With his deep expertise and commanding presence on the stage, Dan is widely recognized as a leading digital disruption speaker who doesn't just predict the future — he helps companies build it.
His track record is exceptional: from steering transformational AI and cloud initiatives to tackling organizational change and diversity in tech, Dan brings rare depth and breadth to every conversation. He's equipped not only to demystify cutting-edge technologies, but also to guide leaders in leveraging them for meaningful, sustainable impact.
In this exclusive interview with The Inspirational Speakers Agency, Dan shares his insights on the strategies, challenges and potential of disruption in the digital age — and what truly separates businesses that thrive, from those that merely survive.
Q: How can AI and other emerging technologies drive business success and transformation?
Dan Figueiredo: "People. I mean, ultimately, I believe that AI and other related technologies are typically going to be used in a couple of ways. I think organisations have already made the pivot towards being more data-driven with regards to their decision-making, but you'd be amazed at how many businesses are still making those decisions based on gut feel versus what the data might actually tell you.
"And then, when you have data, the ability to apply AI over the top to do those analytics and insights can generate some really interesting outcomes. Typically, you can also apply it to backend operational efficiency. In terms of the front end, you've also got the potential to explore more personalised customer experiences, which I think is going to be hyper important going forward.
"You can also use those AI-driven insights to push the whole innovation and development angle. I still believe in that ability to really take predictive analytics and operational outcomes to the next level by leveraging AI."
Q: What advice do you have for businesses wanting to implement new technologies?
Dan Figueiredo: "I think it's super important that when you're thinking about introducing any new technology into your business, there is a clear strategy — and that strategy is aligned to business goals. I think it's important also that you engage your stakeholders early.
"The reason for that is, in my view — and I tend to upset some of my counterparts and colleagues — technology is fairly binary. It either works, or it doesn't.
"The thing that makes it come to life is the people. Therefore, when you're thinking about technology-driven change, one of your most important, if not the most important, parts of that change is the people.
"So, do you have some sort of plan to have the people contribute towards the change management required to deliver the business outcomes that the intended technology is being introduced to deliver?"
Q: Which emerging technologies or trends do you believe will impact businesses?
Dan Figueiredo: "It's pretty hard to ignore AI and the whole Gen AI hype at the moment. As somebody who's been involved in and following AI since my late teens and early twenties, I still believe we're at the absolute tip of the iceberg as to what is possible and what will come next.
"I also think that there will soon be some breakthroughs within quantum computing that could have a significant impact. There are bound to be advances because of those two things around cybersecurity. I think there'll be a bigger drive around sustainable technologies, and I still feel like we're missing a trick around IoT, blockchain, and 5G.
"Everything I've mentioned, plus those three things combined, means that something of significance will happen in that space. The only other one that's probably worth mentioning is robotics and automation. Those are the key trends — the coming wave of technology that's bound to have a significant impact over the next ten years."
Q: What strategies and techniques can businesses employ to improve innovation?
Dan Figueiredo: "I mean, ultimately, I think it's important that people or organisations — and really, an organisation is its people — foster that kind of culture of innovation from the get-go. It's a leadership decision; you have to be intentional. You want to foster that culture, so there has to be that strategic leadership and vision.
"I think it's really important that we have diverse teams, because diverse teams bring diverse thoughts and other ways of approaching things, and therefore that's likely to create the constructive tension that is required to bring about legitimate innovation.
"You should obviously invest in R&D, but that's quite a stretch for many organisations, so one of the things you can do is actually empower your employees as well.
"Think about having some sort of hackathons where people who are non-technical can bring their brilliant business ideas. You team them up with other people within your organisation to bring about that innovation.
"But you know, working with external partners and leveraging technology in AI and others are also ways in which you can bring about strategies and techniques that create an innovative approach."
Q: How do you promote diversity and inclusion within the technology industry?
Dan Figueiredo: "Obviously, I'm part of Tiare, which is the Technology Community for Racial Equality, and so we've gained lots of insights from a diverse set of technology businesses as to what really is needed and what's being done.
"Ultimately, there has to be intentional commitment from the leadership, and where we see a lot of people try and focus their efforts is around those inclusive hiring practices.
"You're interested in getting diverse talent through the door, but then not necessarily as much energy is being put into ensuring that you have an inclusive workplace.
"Once you've gone through the effort to land talent — which is expensive — you're then not retaining the talent. So, we have to think about inclusive workplace culture. I think it's really important that you have a mentoring or sponsorship programme of some kind.
"And as long as there's diverse leadership and diverse decision-making processes, and people can see themselves reflected throughout the organisation, you tend to have the right things in place.
"Ultimately, I'm a believer that if you are to measure something and report on it, immediately that process of measuring and reporting changes behaviours. So, it's always important: if you care about something, you should track it, report on it, and that will help drive the right outcomes as well."
This exclusive interview with Dan Figueiredo was conducted by The Motivational Speakers Agency.
Benzinga Disclaimer: This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.
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