Innovation

Should you try Google’s famous “20% time” experiment to encourage innovation? We tried this at Duolingo years ago. It didn’t work. It wasn’t enough time for people to start meaningful projects, and very few people took advantage of it because the framework was pretty vague. I knew there had to be other ways to drive innovation at the company. So, here are 3 other initiatives we’ve tried, what we’ve learned from each, and what we're going to try next. 💡 Innovation Awards: Annual recognition for those who move the needle with boundary-pushing projects. The upside: These awards make our commitment to innovation clear, and offer a well-deserved incentive to those who have done remarkable work. The downside: It’s given to individuals, but we want to incentivize team work. What’s more, it’s not necessarily a framework for coming up with the next big thing. 💻 Hackathon: This is a good framework, and lots of companies do it. Everyone (not just engineers) can take two days to collaborate on and present anything that excites them, as long as it advances our mission or addresses a key business need. The upside: Some of our biggest features grew out of hackathon projects, from the Duolingo English Test (born at our first hackathon in 2013) to our avatar builder. The downside: Other than the time/resource constraint, projects rarely align with our current priorities. The ones that take off hit the elusive combo of right time + a problem that no other team could tackle. 💥 Special Projects: Knowing that ideal equation, we started a new program for fostering innovation, playfully dubbed DARPA (Duolingo Advanced Research Project Agency). The idea: anyone can pitch an idea at any time. If they get consensus on it and if it’s not in the purview of another team, a cross-functional group is formed to bring the project to fruition. The most creative work tends to happen when a problem is not in the clear purview of a particular team; this program creates a path for bringing these kinds of interdisciplinary ideas to life. Our Duo and Lily mascot suits (featured often on our social accounts) came from this, as did our Duo plushie and the merch store. (And if this photo doesn't show why we needed to innovate for new suits, I don't know what will!) The biggest challenge: figuring out how to transition ownership of a successful project after the strike team’s work is done. 👀 What’s next? We’re working on a program that proactively identifies big picture, unassigned problems that we haven’t figured out yet and then incentivizes people to create proposals for solving them. How that will work is still to be determined, but we know there is a lot of fertile ground for it to take root. How does your company create an environment of creativity that encourages true innovation? I'm interested to hear what's worked for you, so please feel free to share in the comments! #duolingo #innovation #hackathon #creativity #bigideas

DID YOU KNOW? In the heart of Guadalajara, Mexico, a quiet revolution is growing under the sun. Surrounded by fields of prickly pear cactus, chemical engineer Sandra Pascoe Ortiz has developed a material that could change the way we think about plastic — by eliminating it entirely. Her creation isn’t made from oil or fossil fuels. It’s made from cactus juice. The star of this innovation is the humble nopal — the iconic cactus found in Mexican cuisine and across the countryside. By extracting the thick, gluey liquid from its fleshy green pads, Ortiz has crafted a flexible, durable plastic-like film. But unlike traditional plastics, this one biodegrades completely — disappearing into the earth as quickly as a fallen leaf. What makes this cactus-based plastic extraordinary is how quickly it breaks down. In soil, it vanishes in just two to three months. In water, it dissolves in less than a week. There are no microplastics, no toxic residue, and no lingering waste. Even better, it’s completely safe to eat — posing no harm to wildlife or marine life. The production process is just as sustainable. Only mature cactus leaves are harvested, allowing the plants to continue growing. The extracted juice is blended with natural waxes, proteins, and glycerin, then poured into sheets and dried — no synthetic chemicals, no industrial byproducts, and minimal energy use. It's a clean, local solution tailored to Mexico’s dry climate. Today, this biodegradable cactus plastic is being tested for use in shopping bags, food wrappers, and even edible packaging. For communities along the coast and in rural regions struggling with plastic pollution, this innovation could be transformative — turning a native plant into a tool for environmental recovery. In a world desperate for sustainable alternatives, Mexico’s deserts may have given us the answer — green, spiky, and quietly powerful.

94% of the time, engagement with AI (including Generative AI) leads to asking a wider range and variety of questions than the user would have otherwise. This says it all. Just the way we learn so much from others by just talking to them, the power of GenAI is to stimulate our curiosity and lead us to explore ideas and possible solutions we may not have considered otherwise. That’s how we achieve greater personal performance. Today, PMI released a report on prompt engineering for project management. It's here: https://lnkd.in/eBZDsy9j Prompt engineering really is a new discipline in itself. PMI's goal is to help project professionals engage with GenAI tools effectively and efficiently so they can get the most out of their interactions. The report explores how to better use GenAI tools, the ethics of using them, and it offers strategies and techniques for holding a conversation with a GenAI tool. You’ll rarely get the perfect result after only one question... but if you use the right prompts and techniques, you can get better results, faster. As we have all experienced, GenAI can actually lead to more innovative solutions than you might expect. Please check out the report, let me know what you think, and please repost, so we keep helping the whole profession together. Feel free to share your favorite tips or prompts below as well.   Personally I like this quote from Bart Gerardi, because it fits with my own observations of how both Chat GPT and Project Managers tend to operate: “Nobody wants a quarter-inch drill. What they want is a quarter-inch hole. We’re so accustomed to asking for the drill, but we’re not accustomed to asking for the actual outcome that we want. To use GenAI properly, we need a shift in how project professionals think. They should be asking for their outcomes.” Project Management Institute #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ProjectManagement #PromptEngineering"

A look at how CS50 has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI), including its new-and-improved rubber duck debugger, and how it has impacted the course already. 🦆 https://lnkd.in/eb-8SAiw In Summer 2023, we developed and integrated a suite of AI-based software tools into CS50 at Harvard University. These tools were initially available to approximately 70 summer students, then to thousands of students online, and finally to several hundred on campus during Fall 2023. Per the course's own policy, we encouraged students to use these course-specific tools and limited the use of commercial AI software such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and the new Bing. Our goal was to approximate a 1:1 teacher-to-student ratio through software, thereby equipping students with a pedagogically-minded subject-matter expert by their side at all times, designed to guide students toward solutions rather than offer them outright. The tools were received positively by students, who noted that they felt like they had "a personal tutor." Our findings suggest that integrating AI thoughtfully into educational settings enhances the learning experience by providing continuous, customized support and enabling human educators to address more complex pedagogical issues. In this paper, we detail how AI tools have augmented teaching and learning in CS50, specifically in explaining code snippets, improving code style, and accurately responding to curricular and administrative queries on the course's discussion forum. Additionally, we present our methodological approach, implementation details, and guidance for those considering using these tools or AI generally in education. Paper at https://lnkd.in/eZF4JeiG. Slides at https://lnkd.in/eDunMSyx. #education #community #ai #duck

This quote got me thinking. Early in my career, I struggled with how people showed up. I was often called too intense, I was often perceived as overwhelming, but the truth of it is I SHOWED UP! I was engaged, I was committed, and I wanted to make an impact. Not knowing why there was such a difference between how I showed up and others, I learned … that ONLY 31% of employees are enthusiastic and energized by their work? Imagine that almost 70% of the people in your team are there because they just have to 🫣 I honestly can't imagine that, which is why I implemented some solutions in my teams, most of it worked, some of it I’m still testing & trying … Here are some things I did: 👉 Trust & Empower: I involve my team in decision-making processes and push decisions to them when possible. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. 👉 Celebrate Feedback: I create an environment where feedback is frequent and constructive. It encourages continuous learning and growth. 👉 Connect 'Why' to Vision: I share a compelling vision to motivate team members and clearly explain why their contributions matter. 👉 Offer Development: I signal my commitment to personal growth with training and development opportunities. It sparks motivation and increases loyalty. 👉 Recognize & Praise: I acknowledge achievements and make saying ‘thank you’ my default. A little recognition goes a long way to boost morale and motivation. 👉 Promote Diversity: I embrace diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enrich the work environment, prompt healthy debate, and drive innovation. 👉 Encourage Collaboration: I encourage teamwork on projects. This builds a sense of community and belonging while also accelerating learning 👉 Challenge Comfort Zones: I push and encourage team members to expand their skills and what they think is possible. It promotes growth and enthusiasm. 👉 Cultivate Inclusivity: I ensure all voices are heard. For example, I make sure extroverts don't steal the show and create the space needed for quieter team members to speak. Be the leader that serves, empowers and inspires. And all will go just fine 🙌 #EmployeeEngagement #TeamMotivation #WorkCulture

Generative AI has spawned thousands of new products. But outside of ChatGPT, what are everyday consumers using? What's growing, and what has flattened? I crunched the numbers to find the top 50 consumer AI web products by monthly global visits - here's my learnings: 1. Most leading products are built from the “ground up” around generative AI - of the 50 on the list, 80% are brand new as of the past year. Only five are owned by big tech companies (ex. Google, Microsoft), and of the remaining 45, nearly half are bootstrapped! 2. ChatGPT has a massive lead, for now…representing 60% of traffic to the entire list! Character.AI comes in at #2, with ~21% of ChatGPT's traffic. Compared to mainstream consumer products, even the top AI products are fairly small - ChatGPT ranks around the same traffic scale as Reddit, LinkedIn, and Twitch, but far behind Facebook and Instagram. 3. General assistants (ex. ChatGPT, Bard, Poe) represent almost 70% of traffic, but companionship (ex. Character.AI) and content generation (ex. Midjourney, ElevenLabs) are surging! Model hubs are also a category to watch, with only two companies on the list (Civitai, Hugging Face) but both in the top 10. 4. While some early winners have emerged, most categories are still up for grabs - with a <2x gap in traffic between the #1 and the #2 leading players. Use case or workflow-specific platforms are also emerging alongside more horizontal players - ex. Leonardo Ai has taken off in image generation for games assets, while Midjourney continues growing as the leading generalist platform. 5. Acquisition for top products is almost all organic - with the median gen AI company on the list seeing 99% free acquisition! This compares to 52% for the median consumer subscription company before AI. Consumers are also showing significant willingness to pay for genAI, with 90% of products monetizing, and at a ~2x higher ARPU than non-AI consumer subscription comparables. 6. Mobile is still emerging as a platform for AI products - only 15 companies on the list have an app, and just three (PhotoRoom, Speechify, Character.AI) saw >10% of traffic from their app versus website. Given consumers now spend 36 more minutes per day on mobile than desktop, we're excited to see more app-first AI products emerge soon. For the full post and more stats, check out: https://lnkd.in/gR6Paycc #ai #genai #startups

Today marks a historic milestone in quantum computing, as Microsoft and Quantinuum demonstrate the most reliable logical qubits on record. This breakthrough, with a logical error rate 800x better than the physical error rate, signifies a giant leap from the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) level (Level 1 – Foundational) to Level 2 – Resilient quantum computing.   This progress is significant as logical qubits are only useful when they have a better error rate than physical qubits themselves. The number of physical qubits is a misleading metric; it’s not how many qubits, it’s how good they are and how resilient the quantum system is to errors.   Using the logical qubits we created, we were able to successfully perform multiple active syndrome extractions, which is when errors are diagnosed and corrected without destroying the logical qubits. Active syndrome extraction helps quantum computers stay reliable even when operations are imperfect.   With the promise of a hybrid supercomputing system powered by these reliable logical qubits, we’re paving the way for scientific and commercial breakthroughs that were once deemed impossible.  This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective advancement of quantum hardware and software.   You can learn more from my post on the Official Microsoft Blog https://lnkd.in/gnDfcUV6 and the companion technical post on the Azure Quantum blog by Dennis Tom and Krysta Svore: https://lnkd.in/gMRVPG3s. #quantum #quantumcomputing #azurequantum

The Transformative Power of Vulnerability in Leadership 💡 The greatest myth in leadership? The infallible leader. The truth? Authentic leadership stems from embracing vulnerability, learning from missteps, and understanding it’s the journey towards growth that matters. 🌱 Be Genuine People value authenticity. A leader who owns their mistakes and seeks feedback creates an atmosphere where everyone feels safe to be themselves and share openly. Simple not easy:) 🌱 Constant Growth The journey of leadership isn’t about being the best from day one; it's a continuous evolution. Embracing vulnerability means acknowledging areas of improvement and actively working towards them. 🌱 Connect Emotionally  Vulnerability fosters deep connections. By sharing challenges, fears, and aspirations, you bridge the gap between being a 'boss' and a relatable, understanding human. 🌱 Empower Through Empathy When a leader showcases vulnerability, it breeds empathy. Empathetic leadership understands the team's needs, fears, and aspirations, driving tailored strategies for collective success. The future of leadership is not in masks of perfection, but in the raw, genuine, and authentic connections you forge. The paradox of vulnerability is that by showing our 'weaknesses', we showcase our strength. Questions to consider on your leadership journey: When was the last time you shared a personal learning experience or mistake with your team, and what impact did it have? How can showcasing vulnerability enhance your team's trust and cohesiveness? Embrace vulnerability. It's not just about being genuine; it's about being genuinely impactful. #leadership #management #antiracism #culture #change

Today, the United States Air Force unveiled "Model One," a groundbreaking initiative using "digital twins"—computerized simulators that replicate real-world systems with incredible accuracy. This marks a major leap in innovation and digital transformation. The conflict in Ukraine has shown how crucial software and data are in modern warfare. Digital twins will transform not just military strategies but also industries like healthcare and agriculture. I co-authored an op-ed in the The Wall Street Journal with Will Roper that explores this. We draw parallels with Formula 1, where digital engineering has revolutionized car designs, highlighting the rapid impact of data-driven innovation. AI trained through these simulations promises to unlock new potential in both military and civilian sectors. As we advance, the importance of cybersecurity and digital trust is paramount. Ensuring the safety and reliability of our digital and physical worlds is critical. Model One represents a bold step into the future, with transformative potential for many sectors. I invite you to read the full op-ed to explore how digital twins could shape our world and drive us toward an exciting, innovative future. https://lnkd.in/eigWSPjq #Innovation #DigitalTwins #AI #Technology #FutureTech #CyberSecurity #ModelOne #USAirForce #DigitalTransformation #Ukraine

It's December! And I was just reminiscing about all the things that happened in / defined AI in 2023, putting together a short list of keywords that were top of my mind (in no particular order). 1) LLM efficiency & adapter methods: One of the biggest research threads has been to make LLMs more efficient through various method optimizations (e.g., FlashAttention) and adapter methods (e.g., LoRA, QLoRA) and so on (probably motivated by budget, compute, and time constraints). It's one of the most exciting and refreshing developments for us practitioners. 2) A push for open source: After ChatGPT made a big impact about 1 year ago, and some of the bigger companies are making their research and models (increasingly) private, we've seen much revitalizing activity around open source. To name a few examples:  - Llama 2 (still the best base model, in my opinion) - GPT4All (a nice UI to run LLMs locally) - Lit-GPT (a repo to finetuning and use various LLMs; disclaimer: I'm involved as a contributor - LlamaIndex (a toolkit for retrieval augmented generation with LLMs) - LangChain (the popular LLM API) 3) Big tech companies roll their own LLMs: Kickstarted by ChatGPT's success, every major company seems to be developing their own in-house LLM now, including Google's Bard, xAI's Grok, and Amazon's Q. 4) RLHF & DPO Finetuning: I mentioned efficiency methods for finetuning (like LoRA) above. Another trend is towards better instruction-following. We are slowly moving from supervised finetuning to reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF), or rather a simpler alternative: direct preference optimization (DPO). 5) Retrieval augmented generation (RAG): Many businesses are still wary of implementing pure LLM solutions. RAG solutions let them connect LLMs to existing data or knowledge bases, which may be the better option to feed LLMs new data (for now) due to reduced error, scalability, cost etc. 6) AI regulation & copyright: These are still hot, important, and largely unresolved topics. Japan had a statement this summer saying Japan's copyright laws cannot be enforced on materials and works used in datasets to train AI systems. In the US, there is no similar statement as far as I know. However, US President Biden recently issued an executive order on AI regarding the safety and security of large AI systems. 7) From text-to-image to text-to-video: 2022 was the year of text-to-image diffusion models like DALL-E 2 and Stable Diffusion. 2023 was the year of LLMs. Text-to-image models never truly went away but continued to improve. It was more likely that everyone's attention (no pun intended) was largely on LLMs. Diffusion models recently had quite the comeback, though, with the latest releases of text-to-video tools like Stable Video Diffusion or Pika 1.0. Also, so much happened on the research front! I'm excited about sitting down and compiling a list & recommendations of my favorite research papers in 2023 in a few weeks! #llms #AI #deeplearning