Insights Newsletter: October ‘26
Happy October!
For many, October is a time of slowing down, watching the leaves fall from their branches, and preparing for the darker days ahead. But for those of us living upside down in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re welcoming new life and longer days.
As someone who is culturally Scottish but born in Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve always felt this tug of war with the seasons, especially as we approach Samhain, the Gaelic harvest festival that coincides with Halloween.
Two years ago, I had the privilege of spending this time in the homeland, travelling around Scotland to castles, chapels, and forests in search of inspiration. The stories of synchronicity and magic that unfolded over those two weeks would make even the most stoic person blink in disbelief.
It was this trip that made me want to find a way to build my own business while bringing my natural gifts into the work, helping create technology that is ethical, balanced, and in harmony with people and the planet.
And that’s what we’ve continued to work towards at RobinsonHewitt.
Several months ago, we began our How to Build… series with How to Build Ethical AGI, followed by Is It Time For Consensus With AI. Looking at the headlines recently, we felt it was time to bring the series back and continue exploring how we can steer the technological ship in the right direction.
This month, we kicked things off again with How to Build Flying Cars. It’s something I’ve been passionate about for as long as I can remember, bringing together ideas from some of our favourite films with insights from the natural world, including the incredible ways bats and butterflies navigate their environments.
The question is not simply what we can build, but how we can build it in a way that considers the wider impact on people, society, and the planet.
We’ve also started hosting Founder Insights every Monday on the podcast, sharing ideas to help you navigate your own founder’s journey or your transformation as a leader. This month’s reminders have been to clear out the closet, make sure what you’re doing is aligned with your vision, and not invalidate the stepping stones along the way.
In our latest episode, we explored Tony, the film about Anthony Bourdain, and how it relates to Plato’s Ladder of Love. Sometimes, we need to climb to another rung on the ladder to get closer to the thing we originally set out to do.
A few thoughts on Ada Lovelace Day
This month, we also celebrated Ada Lovelace Day. For many, it’s a day to recognise the achievements of women in STEM. But for me, it’s about celebrating a woman who could see the possibilities of technology long before the world was ready for them, bringing together imagination, intuition, and science.
As an anthropologist, I’ve spent thirteen years researching technology founders. Over that time, I’ve developed a theory that founders possess a particular kind of gift: the ability to tap into inspired ideas, connect things in unexpected ways, and create things that shift society and how we interact with the natural world.
I believe that ability is worth recognising, particularly now.
As a futurist, I spend a lot of time thinking about the potential outcomes of technology for our planet. The trajectory isn't looking particularly promising globally, but it only takes a few drops to create ripples with lasting impacts. It’s time for founders to remember the power they have to shape what comes next, and to think beyond what is technically possible towards what is ethical, balanced, and good for people and the planet.
But meaningful change doesn't happen simply by being invited to speak to the same room of people, adding another voice to an endless loop of thoughts and conversations. The founders who can build the future probably aren't in those rooms.
That’s why all our For The Curious Resources are available for free. From thirteen years of research into founders and their journeys, to resources on building ethical technology, exploring your own intuitive gifts, and navigating the wild ride of entrepreneurship, I want this knowledge to be accessible to the people who can put it to use.
I still believe there is so much good that technology can do. It just needs to be built in a way that is balanced, ethical, and good for people and the planet. And that work needs to start today.
So, happy Ada Lovelace Day. Don’t forget that some of the most significant technological advances begin with someone imagining what doesn't yet exist. Ada Lovelace understood that long before the world caught up, and we need people who can do the same today.
Best,
Alison Mackie
Founder & Director
RobinsonHewitt Consulting