Digitally Curious

How digitally curious are you? This is the central question Andrew Grill, a futurist, AI expert, and keynote speaker, poses in Digitally Curious. In this timely and insightful book, Grill offers a roadmap through the maze of technologies that are reshaping the business world and, indeed, every aspect of our daily lives.

At its core, Digitally Curious is not just a guide; it’s a call to action. Through a lens of practical curiosity, Grill encourages readers to embrace the technologies of today—AI, quantum computing, blockchain, and more—not as distant possibilities, but as urgent realities that are already transforming how we work, live, and interact. He emphasizes that the future is not an abstract concept—it is unfolding right now. The message is clear: pay attention, or risk being left behind.

One of the strengths of this book is how it demystifies advanced technologies, making them accessible to a broad audience. Grill takes concepts like generative AI, the metaverse, and tokenization, and places them into a human, business-centric context. What might seem like “tech jargon” suddenly feels relevant and actionable. He doesn’t just ask how businesses can integrate these technologies; he challenges leaders to rethink their approach altogether. What does it mean to be truly prepared for this digital revolution? How can curiosity about these developments become a competitive advantage?

The book’s exploration of AI, in particular, is where Grill’s expertise shines. Drawing on Arthur C. Clarke’s famous quote—”Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”—Grill argues that we are living through an era where this sentiment rings truer than ever. AI, especially with the advent of tools like ChatGPT, is transforming how businesses operate. It has the potential to not only streamline operations but redefine customer interactions and workforce dynamics.

But Grill’s message is not just about AI; it’s about the broader tech landscape. Technologies such as cloud computing, the sovereignty of digital identity, quantum advancements, and the still-mysterious Metaverse are no longer ideas of a distant future. They are here, now. For those feeling out of focus, Grill’s book serves as a wake-up call. It urges readers to become more digitally curious—to embrace, understand, and strategically integrate these tools into their enterprises.

The book also invites reflection on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of these advances. If Alan Turing were alive today, Grill suggests, he would be fascinated by how far his early groundwork in computing has taken us. But alongside the thrill of discovery, there’s a deeper responsibility to explore the ethical implications of these technologies. How will AI change our workforce? What will become of privacy in an era of hyper-connected devices and decentralized identities? Grill doesn’t shy away from these questions, making Digitally Curious a thought-provoking read, not just for technologists, but for anyone invested in the future of business and society.

In the end, Digitally Curious is more than a book—it’s a guide for navigating the seismic shifts ahead. As Grill aptly puts it, the future isn’t coming—it’s already here. The only question left to ask is: are you curious enough to engage with it? For those willing to pay attention and take action, this book is the perfect starting point.

Listen to the In Focus Podcast with Andrew.