Thank you.

Hi guys,

I just want to take a moment to say a massive thank you for reading The Executive Summary. Whether you’ve been here since the start or joined us recently, your support means the world to me. This platform exists because of you—your curiosity, your engagement and your willingness to explore the big (and sometimes strange) ideas shaping our world. And sometimes to just listen to my latest man rant.

The newsletter has opened conversations for some of you (and me) that have led to jobs, advisory roles and friendships in what has been a very tough market.

Four Things I Saw This Year

1. An Extremely Challenging Economic Landscape
   
   Poor decision-making combined with tough market conditions made it harder than ever for companies to hit their sales targets. Many businesses struggled to adapt and the cracks are showing in battered balance sheets.
2. Redundancy in Skills Caused by AI
   
   The rapid rise of AI has left many professionals scrambling to upskill or risk being replaced. It’s been a stark reminder that staying ahead of the curve is not just important—it’s essential. Yet still I see lots of people with their head in the sand. If you want validation, go over to Tiktok and listen.
3. Broken Talent Pipelines
   
   Too often, processes have taken precedence over outcomes, leaving companies unable to find the right people for the right roles. Talent acquisition has become a bottleneck for growth. Again, go look at Tiktok to hear what people are really saying.
4. Energy and Resource Strains
   
   The growing demands of data centres and digital infrastructure have placed unprecedented pressure on energy systems, creating visible strains in some regions. This is only going to become more challenging.

Four Things I Expect Next Year

1. Fake AI Kidnapping Scams
   
   As AI voice-cloning technology becomes more accessible, we will see a rise in sophisticated scams where criminals mimic the voices of loved ones in distress. It’s a terrifying thought, but it will force us to rethink how we verify trust in a digital world.
2. Energy Takes Centre Stage
   
   Eastenders gets a brownout because the local data centre has absorbed all the energy. As our digital lives grow, the tug-of-war between energy for data centres and everyday life will become visible. Energy will no longer be an afterthought—it’ll dominate headlines.
3. Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs)
   
   The energy crunch could push governments and companies to accelerate the adoption of small modular nuclear reactors. These compact, efficient power sources might move from experimental to essential as we search for sustainable energy solutions. Sticking plaster solution? Perhaps.
4. Electric Car Abandonment
   
   The honeymoon phase of electric vehicles could come to an end as consumers face skyrocketing maintenance costs. From battery replacements to expensive software updates, the long-term expenses might drive some back to traditional or hybrid vehicles. I am hoping the leap to hydrogen vehicles will come sooner.
5. Generative AI-Trained Workers Win the Job War
   
   The job market will increasingly favour those who know how to leverage generative AI tools. If you haven't built your own team of agents yet, you are behind. Whether it’s creating content, solving problems, or automating workflows, the AI-savvy workforce will dominate.
6. Decentralised Finance Gets a Decentralised Police Force?
   
   Yeah probably not, but as decentralised finance (DeFi) continues to grow, so will the need for enforcement mechanisms.

Once again, thank you for being part of The Executive Summary. I’m so grateful to have you along for this journey and I can’t wait to see what we’ll explore together in the year ahead.

Here’s to a fantastic 2025!

Cheers

Dan