Each and every week the Square Holes team are deep in the bowels of a number of projects, working to mine all of the insights that we can to help grow businesses and support thriving cities.

These insights are used by businesses and organisations to innovate their offerings, move into new markets, track their impact and hone their products and output. Each week we will be sharing a broad insight that we have learnt for you to use in your own work.

Let us know what you find valuable!

Jason: AI: Exciting, Scary, and Everything In Between

AI is both exciting and scary, and that’s no contradiction. This week, while running focus groups to support AI education, the contrast between groups was stark. One was filled with fear, with concerns about ethics, privacy, and job losses. Yet beneath the resistance was a realisation: we need to understand this, or risk being left behind. The second group was energised. They were already experimenting and embracing the unknown.

Much of AI’s adoption, particularly in big business, is driven not by innovation, but by cost-cutting. Faster, cheaper, fewer humans.

And some leaders assume, “everything will be OK—because I will be OK.” But assumptions can be dangerous (They can make an ASS-U-ME).

Years ago, I interviewed Stephen Scheeler, former MD of Facebook Australia. He noted how companies exploit the grey space between ethics and law. “That’s how business grows,” he said. Listen here ?

Now, as AI accelerates, perhaps it’s time we close the gap—before it’s too late.

Denmark’s proposal to copyright your face is a start. Read more ?

Dylan: Clarity builds trust

When powerful and transformative tools such as AI become readily available, they are often met with equal parts excitement and caution. While the potential for such technology is extraordinary, the concerns are clear and create a barrier to adoption – privacy, misinformation, bias and a lack of transparency around how it works. Building trust through clarity and a deeper understanding of these systems will be essential to driving usage. As people begin to see and experience practical benefits and use cases and feel supported by consistent safeguards and robust protection, confidence will grow and adoption will naturally follow.

Mahalia: It often comes down to relationships

So much of our research into both organisations and businesses alike comes down to one thing – how strong are your relationships with your stakeholders and customers? And key to that always is authentic communication. Honest and forthright interactions help to grow trust, understanding and even affinity (our word of the week).

While some argue that it’s best to keep your cards to your chest in professional contexts, what we are finding over and over again is that people are really seeking genuine connection – even if that includes disappointment or frustration. In an increasingly artificial world, it is in your best interest to remain open.

Think your business or organisation could do with some insights? Contact us here.