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Ideas That Spread

The adolescence of technology
Artificial Intelligence Jon Cronin Artificial Intelligence Jon Cronin

The adolescence of technology

Last week, Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, wrote something that made people pause.

He called this moment in AI development the adolescence of technology. A phase where power shows up before maturity. Where capability runs ahead of judgment. It made me thinkof my teenage son. Certain he is ready to change the world, but still in need of time and guidance.

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A Communications Leader's Guide for the AI-Agentic Future of Living Brands
Jon Cronin Jon Cronin

A Communications Leader's Guide for the AI-Agentic Future of Living Brands

The communications industry is at a pivotal inflection point, a moment of profound transformation that extends far beyond the mere adoption of new tools. The AI revolution is not simply a new layer of technology to be integrated into existing workflows; it is an epochal shift that is fundamentally reshaping the very nature of brand, communication, and human work. We are transitioning from the era of digital transformation, which was a story of optimizing human-driven processes, to the "Agentic Imperative," where autonomous systems and intelligent agents will serve as the new operational bedrock for business and the essential infrastructure for brands to become truly dynamic, responsive, and authentic "living brands."

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Your Brain On AI
Jon Cronin Jon Cronin

Your Brain On AI

Yes, AI can write something for you quickly. But that misses the most powerful part. For those of us who care about depth and perspective, AI is not just a shortcut. It is a tool for expanding your thinking. It becomes a partner in the creative process. It is not about speed. It is about the experience of thinking more clearly and deeply.
And that changes your mind. In every sense.

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Your Career Journey.
Jon Cronin Jon Cronin

Your Career Journey.

Resumes tell employers what you’ve done. They rarely tell anyone who you are. AI can polish your words, but it can’t capture the turning points, sacrifices, and lessons that truly define a career.

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The Leadership Shift AI Now Demands
Jon Cronin Jon Cronin

The Leadership Shift AI Now Demands

Have you seen this memo that Tobi Lütke just shared internally at Shopify?
“Prove that AI can’t do it."

"From now on, all headcount requests at Shopify must begin with an automation assessment. If you want to hire a human, you must first prove that AI cannot do the job. AI proficiency will now be part of performance reviews. Managers are expected to redesign workflows with automation as the starting assumption—not the afterthought."

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If I were a brand right now…
Jon Cronin Jon Cronin

If I were a brand right now…

If I were a brand right now, I wouldn’t try to sound human. I’d be human.
That would shape how I speak, how I listen, how I show up, and how I lead.
Not just outwardly, but at every level, from the inside out.

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