Time for some big ideas to take you into your weekend.
Benedict Evans’s piece on Apple has been rattling around my head and the internet for a couple of days. Evans highlights concerns about Apple’s innovation trajectory. Despite the company’s historical impact on technology, including the iPhone and Mac, growth has stagnated, with iPhone sales flat for years and new product categories like the iPad and AirPods stabilizing but not expanding significantly. While Apple’s services revenue soared to one hundred billion dollars in 2024, the lack of differentiation in these offerings raises questions. The anticipated launch of Apple’s new Siri has been delayed, further emphasizing issues within the company’s execution capabilities. Evans points out that Apple’s failure to deliver innovative products on time could signal systemic challenges, as the tech landscape evolves rapidly. This situation mirrors the company’s previous struggles with Apple Maps, suggesting a worrying trend in Apple’s product development and release cycles.
Another piece about the AI manager, specifically managing AI agents. Rather than displacing human talent, AI is expected to enhance productivity and efficiency, allowing professionals to oversee teams of AI that can perform tasks faster and more accurately. The article highlights that effective management will require a blend of people skills and technical knowledge, as managers must understand both human behavior and the intricacies of AI technology. Additionally, concerns about mass unemployment due to AI advancements are countered by the concept of Jevons Paradox, which suggests that increased efficiency can lead to greater overall demand for human operators in new markets and industries. As organizations prepare for this transition, the emphasis on education and skill development in AI literacy is deemed essential for both current employees and job seekers. The author, Tigran Sloyan, CEO of CodeSignal, emphasizes that critical thinking skills will be vital in navigating the evolving landscape of work influenced by AI.
ZDNet explores the emerging trend of “Services as Software,” driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. Unlike the traditional model of Software as a Service, which required human professionals to operate software, AI is now enabling businesses to design their processes around intelligent technologies from the ground up. A survey by HFS indicates that sixty percent of one thousand enterprises are seeking to procure services as technology offerings, with the same percentage planning to replace some or all professional services with AI in the next three to five years. This shift is not just about automation; it’s redefining how services are consumed and delivered. Technology professionals are urged to adapt their skillsets towards AI literacy and strategic thinking to thrive in this evolving landscape. Despite increasing automation, human oversight remains crucial to ensure fairness and compliance in AI operations.
Why do we care?
Some questions for you to ponder.
How much is Apple now a mature company valued like a growth one?
The framing of of the “AI manager” as an essential job role—not a fringe niche—is a critical shift in how service orgs, including MSPs, need to structure teams. Who are your future AI managers? These will be people who understand processes, can tweak prompts, interpret results, and escalate exceptions. Train them. Retain them. Build roles around them. This is your new value layer.
And, SaaS was still people-heavy. Services-as-Software is not. When a customer buys AI-driven tax preparation, contract analysis, or basic IT support, they’re no longer buying hours—they’re buying outcomes wrapped in software logic. This eliminates the professional services middle layer in many traditional engagements. What does that mean for your professional services organizations?
