Digital Transformation: Where Do We Go From Here?

Michael R. Wood is a Business Process Improvement & IT Strategist Independent Consultant. He is creator of the business process-improvement methodology called HELIX and founder of The Natural Intelligence Group, a strategy, process improvement and technology consulting company. He is also a CPA, has served as an Adjunct Professor in Pepperdine's Management MBA program, an Associate Professor at California Lutheran University, and on the boards of numerous professional organizations. Mr. Wood is a sought after presenter of HELIX workshops and seminars in both the U.S. and Europe.

  Artificial Intelligence   Strategy  

Is digital transformation something new, or something that has been in motion ever since the invention of the transistor and integrated circuit? Many believe that DT became a notion in the 1990s and then began happening around 2005-07. I believe it started in the 1960s—and we have been transforming ever since.

Wikipedia defines DT as follows:

“Digital transformation is the adoption of digital technology to transform services or businesses, through replacing non-digital or manual processes with digital processes or replacing older digital technology with newer digital technology.”

Based on that definition, it is clear that DT has been going on for over 60 years—and with every evolution, it has become more ubiquitous and integrated into our lives, our societies and cultures.

In many respects, digital transformation is the most pervasive common thread shared on a global basis. Like in social media, it transcends cultures and borders. So, what is the endgame for DT? Where does it (if ever) stabilize and stop evolving? What are the next “big things” in digital transformation? By 2030, where will it be? (How about 2040? 2050?) Will it be found in transhumanism, general AI robots, virtual existence (remember The Matrix?) or something beyond that?

Before diving into the future, it’s important to know what comprises digital …

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