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AI, Innovation and The Internet of Flags with Kevin Shatzkamer of Microsoft
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In this energetic and insightful episode of Innovators of Things, Jillian Kaplan welcomes Kevin Shatzkamer, a leader with one of the most dynamic careers in telecom, cloud, and AI. From early days at Cisco to innovation leadership roles at Dell, Google, and now Microsoft, Kevin has been at the forefront of digital transformation—and has the patents and playbooks to prove it.
He shares what it really takes to lead with innovation, how to create teams that thrive on curiosity, and why AI is accelerating faster than any technology telecom has ever seen. Kevin also drops a fan-favorite story about one of his most personal patents: the “Internet of Flags,” a concept born from a surprisingly relatable insecurity (and yes, it involves rabbits and Christmas cards too).
Key Takeaways:
• AI is now the fastest-adopted technology in telecom—and companies need to keep pace or risk falling behind.
• True innovators aren’t afraid to fail fast, learn faster, and let curiosity lead the way.
• You don’t need to be an AI researcher to innovate—you need to be a thought partner and practitioner.
• Great leaders foster innovation by creating psychological safety and space for experimentation.
• Some of the best ideas don’t start at work—they start with a real human problem and a drive to solve it.
Episode Highlights:
• Kevin’s path from telecom engineer to AI leader
• The evolution of innovation—from hardware to experience design
• Why job titles like “innovator” miss the point—and what to look for instead
• What makes someone truly coachable, collaborative, and idea-driven
• Why vulnerability and humility are underrated leadership superpowers
• The story of the “Internet of Flags” and Kevin’s vision for ambient innovation
Quotable Moment:
“It’s not about what I’ve done. It’s about what I haven’t done yet—and who I can learn from next.” – Kevin Shatzkamer
🌐 Resources & Links:
• Follow Kevin Shatzkamer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshatzka/
• Learn more about Microsoft AI: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai
• Catch more Innovators of Things episodes: innovatorsofthings.com
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