Good morning 😎! If you're the type who can't resist checking emails, even amidst family Holiday chaos and kids turning the living room upside down, you're in the right place! We've got some incredible topics to dive into today.

New mind-blowing Midjourney release, MVP golden rule, supersonic flights and cancer-killing molecules.

Excited? Let’s go!

 Digital Transformation Progress Indicator

The US digital transformation scene continues to buzz with activity, showcasing exciting developments across various sectors.
Here are some highlights from the past week:

FDA approves first AI-based system for early lung cancer detection: On December 22nd, the FDA greenlit the "Aperio INbreast AI" system, marking a significant step forward in AI-powered cancer diagnostics. This AI tool analyzes mammograms to identify suspicious lesions with high accuracy, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.

Microsoft's Azure cloud platform clinches major deal with General Motors: GM announced a multi-year, multi-billion dollar agreement with Microsoft to leverage Azure cloud and AI technologies for various initiatives,including autonomous vehicle development and connected car experiences. This deal exemplifies the increasing reliance on cloud solutions for driving innovation across industries.

Walmart partners with robotics startup for warehouse automation: Walmart is piloting a program with Symbotic Systems to deploy autonomous robots in its warehouses for order fulfillment. This automation initiative aims to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and worker safety, showcasing the transformative potential of robotics in retail.

NEXT IN AI
Sad news for your Digital team

Last week, the game changed with the release of Midjourney version 6, and let us tell you, it's nothing short of incredible.

We put it to the test, comparing it head-to-head with the previous version 5.2 across five diverse image categories. The verdict? 
Version 6 is a game-changer in interpreting prompts, delivering images with stunning detail and realism that outshine the slightly airbrushed feel of version 5.2.

Plus, it's stepping up its game in text generation, almost rivaling DALL-E 3, but with aesthetics that truly set it apart. And the best part is you don’t have to know the “secret words” to make it work. Just talk to it in natural language, and watch the magic happen.

Here’s the comparison:

Prompt: A closeup shot of a beautiful teenage girl in a white dress wearing small silver earrings in the garden, under the soft morning light 👇

Prompt: A realistic standup pouch product photo mockup decorated with bananas, raisins and apples with the words "ORGANIC SNACKS" featured prominently 👇

Prompt: A Coca Cola ad, featuring a beverage can design with traditional Hawaiian patterns 👇

ALEX’S TAKE
No MVP should take more than 5 months!

I’m famous for saying “No MVP should take more than 5 months”.
Here’s why.

A close friend from a top software firm once recounted a partnership with a leading entertainment company in NYC. Their task? Develop tech for a 5,000-person marketing department still using Google Sheets.

They collaborated closely with the client's robust team and, by the fifth month, produced an MVP. Yet, the executives found it lacking. So, back to the drawing board: refining, enhancing, and optimizing. A year later, a revamped version was tested on UK employees. Still, only two transitioned from their beloved Sheets.

Debate ensued: Was it the interface? Habit? Or should the new system be enforced?
The corporate decided it was the interface, prompting another redesign. Results? Unchanged. Sadly, they realized too late that user needs had been sidelined.

A suggestion from a developer to address a key pain point raised adoption to 67%, but only for that feature. After a $10M investment and two years, the project was dropped.

Meanwhile, as my friend parted ways with the entertainment giant, in sun-baked Arizona, Techery was assisting a $500M enterprise in modernizing their Health & Wellness e-commerce platform.

One day, I spotted a trend: customers with accrued points predominantly subscribed to product A, but only a fraction sporadically purchased product B. They were never using their points for anything.

We proposed developing a module that would bundle the two products, allowing points to partially cover product B. Two months post-implementation, the ROI was a staggering 5,700%. ($500K in - $29M out).

At our year-end corporate bash, amidst the clinks of glasses and echoes of laughter, my friend from the earlier tale approached, a reflective look in his eyes.

He posed a question, "What's your biggest takeaway this year?" 

Thinking back to his story and juxtaposing it with our triumph in Arizona, I quipped, "No MVP should take more than 5 months!" 
He nearly spat out his wine in surprise, before joining me in a hearty laugh. From that moment, the phrase became legendary within our circles.

After implementing this 'start-up mentality' in over 30 enterprises, I'm convinced that there's almost always a chance to leverage a frugal tech initiative to generate millions in savings and profits.

The real challenge isn't just having expert resources; it's about those experts knowing how to address a business issue without turning it into an 18-month software endeavor.

The true art lies in pinpointing the quickest, most reliable route to a win within a 5-month timeframe.

FUTURE OF TECH
Supersonic!

- “Yes, madam, your tea is ready”
- “Be right there!”

Remember the Concorde? That super cool jet that zipped from New York to London in just 3.5 hours? 
Well, NASA's back in the game, reviving that dream with their newest creation, the X-59. This isn't just any jet; it's a technological marvel set to redefine high-speed travel (again).

The X-59 is a one-time marvel though. Its goal is to prove to the authorities it is able to tame those loud sonic booms that were a deal-breaker in the past. NASA's engineers have designed a sleek, 38-foot-long nose that slices through the air, reducing that ear-splitting boom to a gentle thud. It's like replacing a cannonball dive with a graceful swan dive – same splash, way less noise (in theory for now).

Inside this beauty, pilots get a futuristic 'window' to the world – a live video feed, thanks to cameras on the jet's exterior (the long nose obstructs front view). And the tech magic doesn't stop there. The X-59 is also a testing ground for sustainable aviation, aiming to guzzle less fuel than its thirsty predecessors.

The model plane is already built and is being tested. But, sadly, American Airlines won’t sell you a supersonic ticket for another decade, even despite the fact that a number of prominent airlines have already put in their orders.

THIS MADE US LAUGH

How many “sales technique” books rest on your shelves? 🤣🤣

📚THIS WEEK’S BOOK
Will AI create more fraud before it creates more defenses? Of course. In order for us to get ready - we need to understand how the fraud system works in the first place.
"Fool Me Once" by Kelly Richmond Pope masterfully dissects the complex world of financial crimes, blending riveting stories with sharp analysis to reveal the psychology of fraudsters, the plight of victims, and the bravery of whistleblowers.

🎧THIS WEEK’S TUNE

Beth Orton’s “Daybreaker” is an impressively detailed and at times jaw-droppingly beautiful song served as a soundtrack to a movie I've never watched (and probably never will).
But as it plays in my car regularly, it became the soundtrack of my LA traffic-infused commutes, making them a lot less painful. Hope you like it.

FUTURE OF HEALTH
Himars of oncology?

Himars has been (and continues to be) a significant factor in the Ukraine-Russia war. This US-made high-precision missile system is capable of repeatedly striking the same target while minimizing collateral damage.

Imagine a future where fighting cancer is as precise and targeted as a Himars strike. Scientists have unveiled a new molecule, N6F11, which triggers ferroptosis – a specialized cell death that acts like a stealthy assassin, targeting only cancer cells while leaving healthy ones untouched.

Ferroptosis isn’t your usual cellular demise. It uses iron and reactive oxygen to trigger a self-destruction mechanism in cancer cells. This method is akin to a precision strike, leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed and keeping the immune system intact and ready for action.

Yet, this groundbreaking approach is still in the experimental phase. While N6F11 sounds promising, it's not ready for the prime time in cancer treatment. Scientists across the globe are working to refine this method, striving to make cancer therapy not just effective but extraordinarily precise.

The potential of N6F11 is like a beacon of hope in the world of oncology – a promise of transforming cancer treatment into a precise, targeted, and minimally invasive procedure. It's a vision of a future where fighting cancer is defined by accuracy and finesse.

CURATED BY
Alex Pshenianykov
founder of Techery