Publication
Insights by Co-founder Simon Hefti - Volume 1
Co-founder of D ONE and AI expert, Simon Hefti, regularly publishes insights from his work and expertise on LinkedIn. Here are the first two collections for you.
Trend Tuesday: Disruptive Startups Shaping the Future Today
TechCrunch’s list of disruptive startups for 2024 puts a spotlight on innovation. Here are topics which particularly resonate with me - proof of what’s possible when data, AI, and brilliant engineering come together:
🏥 Healthcare
Abridge transforms doctor-patient conversations into structured notes, helping reduce IT overload for doctors and improve care. As Eric Topol says, freeing doctors from keyboards can slash healthcare costs and boost outcomes. A simple but powerful use of AI in medicine!
⚡️ Energy Innovations
Sila is revolutionizing battery chemistry for a greener future, while KoBold Metals (I like the witty name) uses AI to discover critical minerals powering renewables. Two centuries after Volta’s first battery, there’s still untapped potential for better energy density and stability. We need this progress quickly, and I am happy and grateful to see these technologies advance.
🚚 Logistics & Trucking
Waabi’s AI platform aims to solve labor shortages in trucking, a global challenge. As the Economist noted, industries are struggling to fill roles as older workers retire and younger ones avoid tough conditions. By the way, many other industries find themselves in similar situations and turn to AI to address these challenges. Waabi’s multidisciplinary AI approach offers a smarter, safer path forward.
🏃♂️ Ultra-Fast Delivery
Zepto delivers groceries in under 10 minutes in India—blending speed, convenience, and sustainability. Localized supply chains, electric bikes, and fewer consumer trips highlight the environmental promise of fast delivery.
As William Gibson said: “The future is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.” TechCrunch’s list reminds us what’s possible today when bold thinking meets technology. Which startup on this list excites you the most? Let me know below!
Workflow Wednesday: The Modern Data & AI Platform – A Game-Changer
Companies recognize the pivotal role of data and AI in driving success. This realization challenges data systems to process more sources, meet rising expectations, and deliver faster decisions.
The key? Balancing stability for consistent, reliable outcomes with agility to adapt and innovate.
The solution lies in a platform built on four focus areas:
🔬 Lab – Where data & ML pipelines take shape.
🏭 Fab – Where they run reliably, 24/7, at scale.
🤖 AI/ML Service Layer – Providing AI and ML functions to both Lab and Fab.
🛡️ Governance Layer – Guaranteeing structure, security, and quality.
💊 Think pharma: the Lab develops new drugs, while the Fab ensures their safe production.
What were once separate systems, split by technological limitations, now merge into a single platform. Here, data engineers and scientists collaborate seamlessly on both unstructured data (e.g., documents, images, audio) and structured data (e.g., tables).
This isn’t just a new system—it’s a new way of working, requiring shifts in workflows, governance, and team structures. While it may seem like a recipe for chaos, it’s not: the modern data & AI platform is a highly governed, scalable system designed to drive results.
🎯 To design for success, focus on four dimensions:
Stability & Agility
Cutting-edge AI, including Generative AI
Extensibility
Interconnectable data—whether structured or not-yet-structured
The payoff? Faster onboarding, innovation at scale, and a competitive edge.
How is your data platform evolving to meet these demands? Let’s discuss below!
Theory Thursday: When the Unexplainable Becomes Explained
For centuries, many believed the Earth was fixed, continents never shifted, and diseases came from “bad air.” Then science stepped in—with simple observations like falling apples, fossil records, and microscopic bacteria—to set the record straight.
A modern example is NASA’s Parker Solar Probe. It’s flying closer to the Sun than ever (unlike Icarus, it’s doing just fine) to uncover hidden truths.
I’ve long been captivated by the solar wind. In 1998, Thomas and I used ion charge states as thermometers to estimate temperatures. It’s fascinating how straight- forward tools can reveal so much:
❄ Charge states “freeze in” as the solar wind expands, preserving a snapshot of solar temperatures.
☕ The first solar wind measurements? Just a metal cup collecting ions. The resulting current indicated ion density.
🤖 In space, bandwidth and data quality are limited, so we apply AI and machine learning to detect hidden structures—just as we do in business, finance, and healthcare.
With each new dataset from the Parker Solar Probe, we gain deeper insight into how the solar wind forms. I’m eager to see the breakthroughs and real-world appli- cations that follow.
💡 The big lesson?
What feels impossible today often becomes routine tomorrow—when we keep asking questions.
What’s a once-“impossible” breakthrough that now drives your industry? Let’s discuss. ⬇️
See https://lnkd.in/d5FwyerP for details.