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What Matters Next: A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast
Harness emerging technologies for business success while putting the human first
In What Matters A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast, renowned author and consultant Kate O'Neill delivers a roadmap to achieve business growth, transformation, and innovation through the use of emerging technologies—but crucially, in a human-centric manner that benefits both business and humanity. Drawing on her experience working with organizations like Google, Yale, and the United Nations, O'Neill offers a unique blend of strategic guidance, ethical considerations, and practical application to help organizations not just survive, but thrive through bold and empathetic leadership.
In this book, readers will learn
Making better strategic decisions by moving from questions, to insights, to “Bankable Foresights” Creating a model that aligns focus, purpose, values, and resources across an organization Understanding the intersection and potential harmony of human knowledge and machine intelligence Ensuring digital transformation and innovation efforts frame the future in human terms What Matters Next is an essential read for all business leaders and individuals interested in the impact of emerging technology on business and humanity and seeking to effect positive change for the benefit of all.
In What Matters A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast, renowned author and consultant Kate O'Neill delivers a roadmap to achieve business growth, transformation, and innovation through the use of emerging technologies—but crucially, in a human-centric manner that benefits both business and humanity. Drawing on her experience working with organizations like Google, Yale, and the United Nations, O'Neill offers a unique blend of strategic guidance, ethical considerations, and practical application to help organizations not just survive, but thrive through bold and empathetic leadership.
In this book, readers will learn
Making better strategic decisions by moving from questions, to insights, to “Bankable Foresights” Creating a model that aligns focus, purpose, values, and resources across an organization Understanding the intersection and potential harmony of human knowledge and machine intelligence Ensuring digital transformation and innovation efforts frame the future in human terms What Matters Next is an essential read for all business leaders and individuals interested in the impact of emerging technology on business and humanity and seeking to effect positive change for the benefit of all.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published January 29, 2025
4 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Kate O'Neill
6 books166 followersKate O’Neill is known as the "Tech Humanist." She is founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic advisory firm committed to improving human experience at scale, even — and especially — in data-driven, algorithmically optimized, and AI-led interactions.
Among her prior roles, Kate was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, created Toshiba's first Intranet, and led one of the first digital strategy and analytics agencies.
Now as a renowned technologist, writer, speaker, and ethicist, Kate regularly keynotes industry events around the world, advocating for the best futures for humanity in an increasingly tech-driven and exponentially-changing world. Clients and audiences have included the likes of Google, IBM, and Yale University, as well as non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, professional associations, industries such as public radio, cities such as Amsterdam, and the United Nations. She was named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar, a global ranking of top management thinkers.
Kate's insights have been featured in WIRED, CMO.com, and many other outlets. She has been featured and quoted in a wide variety of national and international media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WIRED, NPR, Marketplace, NBC News, and BBC World News.
More information about Kate, including ways to connect, can be found at:
http://www.koinsights.com/about/about...
Among her prior roles, Kate was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, created Toshiba's first Intranet, and led one of the first digital strategy and analytics agencies.
Now as a renowned technologist, writer, speaker, and ethicist, Kate regularly keynotes industry events around the world, advocating for the best futures for humanity in an increasingly tech-driven and exponentially-changing world. Clients and audiences have included the likes of Google, IBM, and Yale University, as well as non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, professional associations, industries such as public radio, cities such as Amsterdam, and the United Nations. She was named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar, a global ranking of top management thinkers.
Kate's insights have been featured in WIRED, CMO.com, and many other outlets. She has been featured and quoted in a wide variety of national and international media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WIRED, NPR, Marketplace, NBC News, and BBC World News.
More information about Kate, including ways to connect, can be found at:
http://www.koinsights.com/about/about...
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August 12, 2025
Kate O’Neill’s What Matters Next is a timely and insightful guide that cuts through the noise of rapid technological change to focus on what truly matters: making tech decisions that prioritize human values. In a world where leaders are often pressured to move fast and innovate relentlessly, O’Neill reminds us that speed without empathy can lead to unintended consequences. Her clear, thoughtful approach offers practical frameworks and real-world examples that empower executives, product managers, and innovators to embed ethics, responsibility, and humanity into their technology strategies. This book is not just a call to slow down, it’s a compelling blueprint for how to lead with purpose and integrity in an era defined by AI, automation, and data.
What sets What Matters Next apart is O’Neill’s ability to blend strategic rigor with a deep sense of optimism. Rather than painting a dystopian picture of technology’s future, she provides hope and actionable advice, showing that human-centric leadership is not only possible but essential for sustainable success. Whether you’re a seasoned tech leader or someone newly navigating digital transformation, this book offers invaluable insights that challenge you to rethink how technology can serve people not just profits. A must-read for anyone committed to shaping a more ethical, thoughtful, and human-friendly digital future.
What sets What Matters Next apart is O’Neill’s ability to blend strategic rigor with a deep sense of optimism. Rather than painting a dystopian picture of technology’s future, she provides hope and actionable advice, showing that human-centric leadership is not only possible but essential for sustainable success. Whether you’re a seasoned tech leader or someone newly navigating digital transformation, this book offers invaluable insights that challenge you to rethink how technology can serve people not just profits. A must-read for anyone committed to shaping a more ethical, thoughtful, and human-friendly digital future.
Displaying 1 of 1 review