Justin Lahullier's Linkedin Analytics

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗳 𝗪𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 In a world obsessed with protecting intellectual property, we've forgotten something fundamental: humans have always been "training" on others' work. Every book you've read, every article you've consumed, every conversation you've had—they've all shaped your thinking, influenced your ideas, and become part of your mental framework. If we applied today's AI copyright arguments to human cognition, I'd owe licensing fees to every author who helped form my worldview. My university professors would be sued for "unauthorized neural reproduction" of textbook content in their lectures. The absurdity highlights a crucial truth: knowledge has always built upon itself. Newton stood "on the shoulders of giants." Shakespeare borrowed liberally from earlier works. Every scientific breakthrough relies on previous discoveries. The scale and efficiency may differ between human learning and AI training, but the fundamental process is identical—pattern recognition, absorption, and synthesis to create something new. Before we establish legal precedents that could fundamentally alter how we develop AI, perhaps we should consider this question: If we wouldn't criminalize human learning, why would we criminalize machines doing precisely what we've celebrated in ourselves throughout history? Thoughts? #AIEthics #Copyright #Innovation #MachineLearning #HumanIntelligence

Lead by Learning: Upskilling Your IT Team for the AI Era For me, continuous learning isn't optional—it's essential. Investing in AI and cloud skills has empowered my teams to stay agile, innovative, and ready for future challenges. I regularly encourage certifications, training, and internal knowledge-sharing to build a culture of continuous growth. What new skill is your team focusing on this year, and why?

Gartner's 2025 CIO Survey reveals a critical insight: only 48% of digital initiatives achieve their intended business outcomes. However, the "Digital Vanguard" group achieves a 71% success rate through co-ownership models where business and IT leaders share accountability. https://lnkd.in/eHqgDZXa As CIOs, our role extends beyond technology implementation to collaborative business leadership. Are you embracing co-leadership with your business counterparts?

Breaking News: CIO Replaced by AI Clone! 🤖 In an unprecedented innovation leap, I've officially replaced myself with an AI-powered CIO clone. After extensive training on my emails, calendar, and leadership style, "JustAI-n" is ready to take over. Benefits include: ▶️Meetings that could've been emails actually become emails. ▶️Instant approvals of budget requests (proceed with caution). ▶️Guaranteed 0% downtime (excluding occasional firmware updates). Initial employee feedback ranges from relief (no more dad jokes) to concern (JustAI-n keeps scheduling meetings at midnight—"optimal productivity hours"). Of course, human-CIO intervention may occasionally be required—for example, fishing and CrossFit-related decisions remain under my sole purview. Happy April Fools' Day! 😉 What task would you gladly hand off to your AI clone?

The Cloud Cost Paradox: Agility vs. Expense In my experience, the cloud offers excellent agility, but costs can spiral quickly without careful management. I am exploring FinOps strategies to balance innovation with fiscal discipline, closely monitoring usage and optimizing expenses. What's your approach to controlling cloud spending? I'd appreciate hearing your lessons learned!

Fascinating research just released shows AI skills now command more significant wage premiums than traditional degrees. This represents a fundamental shift in how we should be thinking about talent acquisition and development. The implications for workforce planning are profound - we may need to reimagine our hiring criteria and internal training programs to prioritize practical AI capabilities over conventional credentials. How is your organization balancing formal education vs. practical skills in your hiring process for technical roles? #AISkills #TalentAcquisition #WorkforceTransformation #FutureOfWork

AI Is Everywhere—Even at the Dentist's Office I'm constantly fascinated by how AI reshapes industries—even unexpected ones like dental insurance. From automating claims to detecting fraud via imaging analysis, AI opens new possibilities for innovation and efficiency everywhere. Where has AI surprised you most? I'd love to hear your unexpected experiences!

Empowering our teams with digital and AI skills is now non-negotiable. CIOs realize that technology initiatives succeed when people at all levels understand the tools. Here are three ways to boost digital literacy in your organization: ➡️Upskill from Within: Invest in training programs for your team on AI, data analytics, and cloud basics. (66% of companies plan to upskill employees to fill IT skill gaps this year​ . Encourage certifications, workshops, and hands-on projects – it’s cheaper and more effective than hiring all new talent. ➡️Create a Learning Culture: Make continuous learning part of your company DNA. Celebrate those who pick up new tech skills. Enable micro-learning – short videos, lunch & learn sessions – so staying updated is easy. When people see that curiosity is valued, they engage. ➡️Lead by Example: As leaders, show that you are learning too. Share that you’re taking an AI course or tinkering with a new cloud tool. When leadership visibly embraces learning, it signals the organization that growing our skills is a priority. Together, these steps build confidence and competence. An AI-literate workforce can adapt faster and drive more innovation. 💡 Question: What are you doing to encourage upskilling on your team? Any great resources or strategies to share? #Upskilling #DigitalLiteracy #AI #WorkforceDevelopment

Cloud bills giving you sticker shock? 😬 You’re not alone. Many CIOs rank cloud cost optimization above cybersecurity on their priority list​. The good news is that you can regain control with a FinOps (Cloud Financial Operations) mindset. Here are four tips to rein in cloud costs without stifling innovation: ▶️Tag and Track Everything: Implement a strict tagging policy for cloud resources (projects, owners, environments). Visibility is power – you can’t optimize what you don’t measure. Dashboards or cost analytics tools help identify the most significant cost culprits quickly. ▶️Right-Size and Schedule: Regularly review your usage, downsize oversized instances, or move to cheaper tiers. Turn off resources not in use – dev/test servers don’t need to run 24/7. Scheduling and automation can shut down environments on off hours to save money. ▶️Optimize Architecture: Encourage your architects to design with cost in mind—leverage spot instances, autoscaling groups, and cloud-native services that cost less. Sometimes a minor re-architecture (e.g., using serverless or optimized storage classes) can slash costs dramatically. ▶️Foster a FinOps Culture: Make cost awareness part of your team’s DNA. Share monthly cloud spending reports with product owners, set cost KPIs, and celebrate when teams save money. 💡 Pro Tip: Also work with your cloud vendors – often they’ll offer credits or guidance if you ask, especially if you’re considering multi-year commitments. Question: What’s one effective step you’ve taken to control cloud costs? Share your experience or tips! #Cloud #FinOps #CostOptimization #ITStrategy

The data is in: AI project failure rates will rise in 2025. As technology leaders, we must ask ourselves – are we falling into implementation traps or setting unrealistic expectations? At Delta Dental, we believe that successful AI initiatives require three core elements: clearly defined business outcomes, cross-functional ownership, and realistic timelines for integration. What's your organization's approach to ensuring AI project success? Has your failure rate increased or decreased in the past year? #AIImplementation #TechnologyLeadership #DigitalTransformation

Generative AI is the talk of the C-suite, but is it delivering value yet? 🤔 According to a recent survey, 67% of companies are still stuck in pilot mode and 97% can’t yet show business value from generative AI. Yet almost everyone plans to invest even more in it! This raises the question: Where is your organization on its generative AI journey? https://lnkd.in/e7gswSm5 🗨️ Join the conversation: What’s the biggest hurdle for getting value from AI at scale – technology, talent, or something else? Share your experiences in the comments! #GenerativeAI #AIStrategy #CIO #TechTrends

Digital Transformation: 10% Tech, 90% People Digital transformation is deeply personal because I've learned it's more about people than technology. Clear communication, cultural alignment, and empowering my team have always driven successful digital initiatives. What's been your biggest 'people' challenge during digital transformation, and how did you overcome it?

The CIO role is evolving from tech manager to full-fledged business leader. 1 in 4 CIOs say their next career target is the CEO seat​. Why? Because in today’s world, technology strategy is business strategy. When CIOs drive revenue growth, customer experience, and innovation, they naturally take on more significant leadership roles. CIOs report to COOs, partner closely with CFOs, and even become COOs to align tech with business outcomes​. As someone who’s watched this shift, I find it exciting: the skills of a great CIO (strategic thinking, agility, problem-solving) translate well to the corner office. 💼 Question: Would you want to become a CEO someday? Why or why not? And for non-CIO folks: Do you see tech leaders in your org taking on broader business responsibilities? Let’s discuss the blurring lines in the C-suite. #Leadership #CIO #Career #BusinessStrategy

There’s enormous buzz around autonomous AI agents that can take action without human prompts. 🤖 But a reality check for tech leaders: Nearly 9 in 10 CIOs say their tech stack isn’t ready for AI agents yet​. Interest is high, but our infrastructure and integration need to catch up. This week’s discussions remind us that getting the basics right (data architecture, APIs, governance) is crucial before deploying the next significant AI innovation. It’s like wanting a self-driving car when the roads aren’t built for it (yet). 🤔 Question: Is your organization doing anything now to prepare for AI agents and advanced automation? (Eg. upgrading data platforms, API strategy, pilot projects...) Share your readiness plans or concerns. #AI #Automation #DigitalTransformation #ITArchitecture

It's Not 'Digital' Transformation—It's Customer Transformation I believe fundamental digital transformation focuses on the customer, not just technology. It's essential to prioritize simplicity and intuitive navigation, dramatically enhancing user satisfaction and overall experience. How has technology directly improved customer experience in your organization? Share your stories!

AI Governance has officially taken the spotlight in tech leadership. 🌐 With AI regulations tightening, less than half of enterprises even comply with existing AI laws​ – a sobering statistic. No surprise that many CIOs now call responsible AI their top priority. If we can’t govern it, we can’t scale it. From bias checks to audit trails, getting those guardrails in place is now mission-critical. As one tech CEO noted, “Governance has almost become sexy” in the AI world​ – because doing AI right is just as crucial as doing AI fast. 🗨️ Food for thought: How is your organization ensuring ethical, compliant AI use? Have you established an AI governance board, policies, or training? Share what’s worked (or challenges you’re facing). #ResponsibleAI #AIGovernance #Ethics #Leadership

ServiceNow just released their no-code AI agent builder and OpenAI has expanded their toolkit for agentic AI development. This democratization of AI agent creation is a game-changer for organizations still struggling with technical talent shortages. I'm particularly excited about how these tools might streamline our customer service operations while empowering our non-technical teams to participate in building AI solutions. No more waiting months for development resources! Are you exploring agentic AI at your organization? What areas do you see as most promising for implementation? #AgenticAI #NoCode #AITools #TechInnovation

Navigating the tech world these days? It's like steering a ship through an unending storm. The waves? Constant change—AI, the Cloud, and those relentless cyber threats crashing at the hull. But amidst the chaos, I've found one compass that never fails: resilience. Yet, it's not just about having robust systems. It's about nurturing the resilience of our people. Our technical teams have been sprinting at this relentless pace for years, and let's be honest—burnout is staring us right in the face. As CIOs, we should embrace a dual title: Chief Empathy Officers. Yes, our tech skills are vital, but our ability to understand and support our teams is equally crucial. Invest in their well-being and professional growth, and the return? Innovation that exceeds all calculations. So, who's with me? Are you embedding resilience into your leadership strategy? Let's share strategies for being the supportive pillars our teams deserve!

Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco are leading a new industry alliance focused on data provenance standards. This initiative couldn't come at a better time - as AI becomes increasingly embedded in critical business functions, the quality of our underlying data determines everything. At Delta Dental, we believe data governance is a cornerstone of our digital strategy, recognizing that even the most sophisticated AI models fail with poor quality inputs. What steps is your organization taking to ensure data quality in your AI initiatives? #DataQuality #DataGovernance #AIReliability #DataStandards

Isn't it fascinating how the more things change, the more they stubbornly stay the same? We roll out these dazzling new AI tools, expecting them to revolutionize our operations overnight, but suddenly, our biggest challenge isn’t the tech. It’s the people. A recent survey found that 42% of executives feel like AI is not the savior it was promised to be but rather a source of internal conflict. Mind-blowing, right? This is a coming-of-age story for tech adoption—a cautionary tale showing that tech evolution outpaces cultural adaptation. As CIOs, are we mere introducers of technology, or should we evolve into the translators and mentors our teams desperately need? Here's the kicker: the real barrier to AI success isn’t the algorithm; it’s trust. The secret sauce to solving this? Communication. Plain and simple. I'm talking about relentless over-communication. Share the ‘why’ behind every AI initiative. Engage in heartfelt conversations to soothe employee concerns—long before they raise them. My big lesson: Succeeding with AI in 2025 isn’t just about diving into advanced algorithms but embracing human-centric change management. So, what's your experience? Are we all seeing this unfolding or breaking new ground? I'd love to hear your thoughts or stories!