Jim Harris

TEC Canada Speaker | Author | Columnist | Analyst on AI Innovation | Vistage Speaker

Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost thinkers on AI, GenAI, tech and disruptive innovation. He presents internationally at 60 in-person and virtual events a year. Association magazine ranked him as one of North America’s top ten speakers.
His clients include American Express, Barclays Bank, Canon, GM, IBM, Munich Re, the Top 200 CIOs of India, the UK Cabinet Office, Swiss Re, Walmart, Zurich Insurance.
In February of 2024 he was named TEC Speaker of the Year by TEC Canada. Jim has been working with TEC for more than 30 years.

Jim Harris

TEC Canada Speaker | Author | Columnist | Analyst on AI Innovation | Vistage Speaker

Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost thinkers on AI, GenAI, tech and disruptive innovation. He presents internationally at 60 in-person and virtual events a year. Association magazine ranked him as one of North America’s top ten speakers.
His clients include American Express, Barclays Bank, Canon, GM, IBM, Munich Re, the Top 200 CIOs of India, the UK Cabinet Office, Swiss Re, Walmart, Zurich Insurance.
In February of 2024 he was named TEC Speaker of the Year by TEC Canada. Jim has been working with TEC for more than 30 years.

Jim’s Topics

Blockchain, like the World Wide Web, is set to transform industries over the next 25 years. While Bitcoin brought blockchain to global attention, it is just one application of the technology. Blockchain can revolutionize supply chains by instantly tracing product contamination, saving time and money, as seen in the spinach crisis. In the remittance market, blockchain can lower fees from 11% to 0.25%, benefiting those who send money abroad. Additionally, blockchain can help manage electricity demand by allowing consumers to earn credits for temporarily reducing their usage, reducing the need for expensive peaker plants.

ChatGPT has quickly become a significant force in the business world, attracting one million users in just five days, far faster than Spotify or Instagram. With AI like Google’s Bard entering the scene, the stakes are high, as demonstrated by a $100 billion loss in Google’s stock after a botched response. While many fear AI will replace jobs, the reality is that AI will work alongside people, transforming industries and creating new opportunities. Companies that embrace AI and integrate it into their processes will outperform those that don’t, and leaders are encouraged to start experimenting with AI now to avoid disruption in the future.

Cybercriminals are costing businesses trillions globally, with AI enhancing the effectiveness of attacks. CEOs must address this growing threat across all industries, as over 80% of breaches involve human error, making training crucial. Cyber liability insurance can help mitigate financial losses, but coverage must align with risk exposure. Regular security audits are essential, as cyber threats evolve rapidly, and CEOs must ensure vulnerabilities are identified and defenses are updated consistently.

Companies like Uber, Skype, Airbnb, Alibaba, Facebook, and Netflix have revolutionized industries by innovating their business models, not owning traditional assets like cars, phone lines, or inventory. While most people associate innovation with products and services, 90% of innovation’s value lies in business model innovation, which large corporations often overlook. Jim Harris’ book Blindsided! explores these disruptive forces and offers strategies for companies to prevent being caught off guard, demonstrating how critical business model innovation is to staying ahead.

Life is full of challenges and triumphs, from financial losses to personal successes, yet maintaining calm and serenity through it all can be difficult. Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy, teaches us to embrace life’s uncertainties, as demonstrated in the story of the Taoist farmer who remains indifferent to events that seem either good or bad. When his horse runs away, then returns with two more, when his son is injured, and when the Emperor’s men spare him from war, the farmer simply replies, “Maybe.” This teaches the power of re-framing situations and accepting life as it comes, knowing that we often understand the true meaning of events only in hindsight. Embracing detachment, as many religions suggest, allows us to live joyfully regardless of outcomes, just as the Taoist farmer does.

AI is rapidly transforming business, government, and society, with productivity increases ranging from 10X to 10,000X. By 2030, AI is expected to add up to $4.4 trillion annually to the economy, revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, where it could save $386 billion each year while addressing staff shortages. Jim Harris’ dynamic session focuses on practical strategies and AI tools that enhance customer satisfaction, reduce cycle times, increase sales, and lower costs across functions like sales, marketing, customer service, and finance. Attendees will gain actionable insights into starting their AI journey, with resources to begin implementing this transformative technology.

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