Navigating the AI Frontier: Mark Walker on Tech Evolution, Research, and the Human Element

In Episode 36 of Risky Business, hosts Bryan Hattingh and Jonathan Shaw welcome tech veteran and AI specialist Mark Walker for a deep dive into three decades of industry evolution. Reflecting on his early days at BMI TechKnowledge and IDC, Mark shares invaluable perspectives on local market intelligence, the pitfalls of imposing foreign business models, and how research has transformed from expensive blue-chip reports to accessible AI-driven insights. The conversation navigates the rapid rise of generative AI, examining pricing deflation, the realities of hallucinations, cybersecurity challenges, and the fundamental shift in project management where defining outcomes takes precedence over execution. Ultimately, the episode underscores the enduring necessity of human critical thinking and purpose in an increasingly automated world. Find more at https://riskybusiness6.wordpress.com/ or https://www.cycan.co.za/