Five Thoughts on Implementing AI: Inspired by Herbie Hancock

Image generated by Midjourney (see details at the bottom of post))

I recently saw Herbie Hancock live, and now I’m completely obsessed. I’ve gone down a rabbit hole rediscovering old gems, exploring albums I hadn’t heard before (he has 41 studio albums, for starters), and reading up on his profound impact on music and technology. For decades, Hancock has been a trailblazer in applying technology to music, and he’s already begun exploring AI’s role in his work. His approach to technology in music offers broader insights, and as I delved deeper into his perspective, it became clear to me that his outlook is highly relevant for businesses navigating how AI can benefit their organizations. Here are five key considerations to keep in mind:

AI is here to stay, much like other technological advances before it. To get the most benefit, we need to be proactive in learning how we can best make it work for us.

Hancock was already a successful jazz pianist and composer when he decided to dive into electronic music. In this interview, Hancock talks about the importance of hands on experience when first experimenting with a new technology, in this case synthesizers:  “I immediately saw that I could create things that I couldn’t create on my piano. So that just got me more excited to add those elements to the things I had been doing in the past.”

At the time, electronic music was as viewed with skepticism, ranging from being dismissed as a passing fad to feared as an existential threat to traditional music. Yet Hancock found ground-breaking ways to incorporate the new technology, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in music and elevating his existing work. He didn’t abandon his roots but used technology to extend his creative vision and demonstrate its relevance to the future.

Organizations can adopt a similar mindset toward AI, seeing it not as a threat but as a tool to enhance creativity, improve processes, and unlock new opportunities.

At the end of the day, we believe in using AI to make things better, but it’s all about balance. It’s not just about technology—it’s about making sure people are ready for the future and businesses are using AI in ways that improve their processes, without losing sight of ethics or human involvement. 

On stage, Hancock had a grand piano, an electric piano, a synthesizer, and his iconic keytar, a guitar-shaped electronic keyboard that allows him to move around. At points the band used various effects, some of which were certainly computer if not AI-generated. Hancock chose his instruments based on what best communicated the emotion and message of the music at the moment.

Similarly, businesses need to strategically determine how AI fits into their larger toolkit. Like other technological innovations, AI will certainly not replace everything, just as the rise of e-commerce didn’t eliminate brick-and-mortar stores, which continue to play a vital role in many companies’ overall strategy. The key is defining how AI complements your existing tools, enhancing your company’s capabilities while maintaining a balanced, integrated approach.

AI is the starting point, not the final product. Hancock views AI as a “creative assistant” – a tool that helps expand possibilities but doesn’t replace the human touch. Think about your to-do list: how many potentially game-changing initiatives get continually pushed to a future date because today’s tasks are all consuming?

That’s where AI can help. By delegating routine, less intellectually demanding tasks to AI, we create the space to focus on those high-impact projects that will really make a difference. As with any assistant, while AI can give us a valuable head start, it’s essential to recognize the limitations. We must review its output carefully, ensuring it’s accurate, makes sense, and ideally, using it as a foundation to build something even greater. AI provides assistance, but the true innovation comes from the human layer we add on top.

As humans, we still have much to figure out about what the working world will look like in the next 20 years. While some jobs may be lost, new opportunities will certainly be created. Our responsibility is to approach AI thoughtfully, ensuring that we maintain the integrity of intellectual property and prepare our workforce for the changes ahead. Being an early adopter and anticipating the future gives organizations a clear advantage.

The worst thing managers can do is ignore AI and hope it goes away, especially since research shows employees may use it on the sly if official guidelines are lacking. Instead, creating an enclosed ecosystem that protects company data is a vital first step.

 It’s also crucial to remember that AI is evolving in real-time, and we all have a role to play in shaping its direction. In this interview, Hancock wisely notes, “If we treat AI like our children and ‘raise’ AI mindfully, it will have an understanding of ethics and treating people with kindness.” By taking an active role, we can help guide AI development in a way that aligns with our ethical values, ensuring it’s used responsibly.

The joy that Herbie Hancock finds in life is palpable – he was literally jumping up and down with his guitarist Lionel Loueke at the end of the show. Ever curious and playful, Hancock shared his philosophy on improvisation in  this interview: “My M.O. is to try it, to go ahead and do it. If I don’t feel satisfied with what I did, then — in the next instant — I have to make an attempt to make it work with what I play right after that.”

This mindset is perfect for experimenting with AI. As long as we’re working in a safe, controlled environment (see above), there’s room to explore and even make mistakes along the way. In my experience, there’s a real thrill in figuring out that perfect prompt or configuration that delivers the exact output you need, and the process of getting there—trial and error—is part of the fun. Embracing the journey of experimentation not only leads to better results but also creates an environment where creativity can thrive and fresh ideas can emerge.

Like other major technological advances before it, AI is not going away. We humans need to work together to determine how we can benefit from it. To find out more about how twenty44’s programs can help your organization, or for listening recos, connect with me on Linkedin.

Image for this post generated by Midjourney using the following prompt:

Modern electronic jazz embracing technological innovation with an abstract futuristic setting, in a vibrant, inspirational illustration style using pastel colors, featuring swirling digital and musical elements, including abstract representations of AI, sound waves, and electronic patterns. Include hints of keyboards and musicians amongst the shapes. Exclude logos. –-ar 4:3