About
Christian J. Ward
The last time I felt this excited about technology was the late '90s, when the internet talked me into becoming an entrepreneur. AI feels like that again. My whole journey in data has been alongside brilliant builders, and I've been very lucky that way. I'm fortunate to be Chief Data Officer at Yext, where I get to work with the world's top AI and search companies and some of the best brands anywhere. Some of my best lessons still come from watching my family and friends try new things.
The Story
I started my first data company in 1999. I've helped build data businesses across different industries since then.
I've founded and sold two structured data companies. One worked in financial analytics and the other in media analytics. I share the credit with the teams and partners who helped build them.
Before Yext, I served as Chief Data Officer at Arizent and Data Axle. I was also Global Head of Content Innovation at Thomson Reuters.
At Yext, I work with clients to structure their knowledge for AI and search. I believe Yext is the best real time data distribution platform in the world. We start with the data they already have. We also look at what they can access through partnerships.
I wrote Data Leverage with my brother, James J. Ward, who is an attorney. We wanted a book about data partnerships that didn't exist yet. It became an Amazon #1 bestseller.
I've been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Adweek, Fortune, and Forbes. I speak regularly on data strategy and AI.
What Is My Newsletter?
I write Original Thinking about AI adoption in everyday life and across enterprises. I believe getting your data strategy in order helps you get the most from AI. I want to make that work easier to understand.
I write for executives and marketers, and for anyone trying to understand AI as the next wave of technology. You don't need a technical background to join me.
In the newsletter, I often share stories about how my kids, family, and friends adopt and use technology. Those examples help me explore what works in everyday life.
What I Write About
AI adoption and everyday use
I like starting with something that makes an ordinary day a little easier. Email and scheduling are good examples. Here I look at frequency and complexity to help you choose a project. How to Choose AI Projects Wisely
Academic ideas
I enjoy seeing whether an academic idea can help me understand something new. Here I explore the uncanny valley as a way to think about convincing AI answers that may still be wrong. The Uncanny Valley of Information (from AI)
Customer experience
I'm curious about how conversations with AI change the way we shop. I look at what that experience means for people looking for help. I also consider what it means for the businesses they might choose. Three Years Since ChatGPT Launched
Data and how we use it
I'm interested in the knowledge people bring to their work. Here I explore how building an agent can make parts of someone's decision process visible. That gives a company more to learn from. When Employees Build Agents, They Encode Decisions (Context)
Accuracy and probabilities
I want to understand how likely an AI answer is to be right. Here I explore why improving accuracy can make the remaining errors harder to notice. I look at ways we can check the work. The 1% Problem (of AI Errors)
Economics
I'm encouraged by how much easier AI can make it to try an idea. Here I explore what cheaper experiments mean for how businesses learn. I also look at how that changes competition. AI is Supercharging the Iteration Economy
One letter a week, mostly. I hope you'll find something useful for your own work or everyday life. It's free. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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Where This Shows Up
Beyond the NewsletterPublications and Events
Keynotes, panels, and the places this work has appeared.
Publications and Events →Original Thinking with Christian J Ward
If you'd rather listen, I share the newsletter's ideas in short audio episodes.
Listen →The Book
I wrote Data Leverage with my brother, James J. Ward, about making data partnerships work.
About the Book →Subscribe
I'd be glad to have you join me. One letter a week, mostly.