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NZZ: Aleph Alpha and the European Cloud Opportunity

Summary # The NZZ article examines how Aleph Alpha, once celebrated as “Europe’s OpenAI,” is pivoting from developing its own large language model to becoming a service provider for the Schwarz Group (owner of Lidl). While some see this as a setback, experts view it as a strategic opportunity: building sovereign European cloud infrastructure may have far more potential than competing in the AI model race dominated by US and Chinese companies.

Between Tool and Gamechanger: How AI Drives the Cybernetic Enterprise

Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. Yet lasting business value often remains elusive. Too many companies still see AI as a tool or quick fix, rather than what it can be: a strategic partner for continuous learning and adaptation. To achieve competitive advantages in a dynamic, data-driven world, organizations must fundamentally restructure themselves as a Cybernetic Enterprise, where AI is firmly anchored as a feedback and learning amplifier. Instead of viewing AI in isolation or as an add-on, it should become an integral part of the organizational operating system. Only when AI transforms data, processes, and customer interactions into actionable learning does a useful tool become a true gamechanger, one that makes companies more agile, capable of learning, and future-oriented.

Cybernetic Enterprise: The New Operating System for Organizations

Most companies that work in an agile way today while simultaneously trying to implement AI will not survive the next decade, in my opinion. The reason: their operating system is too old. The future is not agile. The future is not AI either. The future is cybernetic.

The AI future is "cybernetic"

Digital and agile was yesterday # Many companies believe they can secure their future with a dash of agility and rapid AI pilot projects. But those who simply “graft” artificial intelligence onto outdated structures will fail. A radical upgrade of the operating model is needed.

Agility in Action: Mindset, Processes, and Real Results

How much agility can software development really handle, and where does agility tip into chaos? In this episode of the “Modern Work 2 Go” podcast (in German), I speak with Florian Schneider about exactly these questions. We dive deep into a concrete real-world example: an agile transformation at a Swiss bank that I accompanied over eight years. The conversation covers the shift from waterfall to agility, scaling with SAFe, building value streams, and why continuous improvement is the central pillar of every transformation.

NZZ: Workslop, When AI Destroys Productivity

Summary # The NZZ article examines “Workslop” - a new term for sloppy work produced through careless AI use. While tech companies promote AI as a productivity miracle, the reality shows a darker side: AI makes it easy to produce polished-looking but often substanceless or incorrect content. This creates extra work for colleagues who must clean up the mess, damages trust in teams, and ultimately destroys the productivity AI was supposed to improve.

How to Build a Future-Ready Organization

In this LeanPub podcast episode, host Len Epp and I have a deep conversation about my book “The Cybernetic Enterprise: How to Build a Future-Ready Organization.” We cover everything from my career journey at Zühlke, to why the future is cybernetic rather than just AI, to the practical steps of enterprise transformation. If you have ever wondered what it takes to build an organization that can continuously adapt, this conversation covers the essential ideas.