The Cognition Drift

AI music for a space game, a prompt on version 22, and the slow death of PowerPoint — not a bad hour. The episode opens with Suno and what it actually takes to generate music you'd willingly send to another person (answer: a lot of tracks you'd never send to anyone). From there, the conversation broadens into something both hosts are wrestling with from different angles — how do you take a...

Andrew is building his asteroid game at 3am, Joe is napping on MMA mats, and somehow this turns into one of the more grounded conversations about AI and layoffs you'll hear right now. Once the chaos settles, Joe and the others get into something that's been quietly playing out across a lot of companies: the gap between the AI productivity gains that were promised and what's actually sh...

Double denim is apparently making a comeback, and that's genuinely the least surprising thing discussed in this episode. After a brief detour through fashion choices that will age poorly, the conversation settles into something more interesting: how the medium you use to communicate actually shapes how you think. Dictation versus typing, speaking versus writing — it's not just an output qu...

Two people who probably should have slept more sit down to catch up after a few weeks apart — and cover a lot of ground in the process. Starting on something a lot of teams are quietly wrestling with: whether the word "AI" itself has become so loaded that just calling them "new tools" would get better results. From there it sprawls into whether personal software is actually the...

Join us in the latest episode of Cognition Drift, where we dive into a compelling discussion on the nuances of AI development and its unintended consequences in modern workflows. As the episode unfolds, the conversation reveals a critical exploration of how technological advancements, particularly AI, are reshaping productivity and the quality of output in various industries.

In this engaging episode of Cognition Drift,we turn our thoughts to idea generation and execution in the face of rapidly advancing technology. This conversation traverses the impact of digital tools that democratize the ability to bring ideas to life, arguably reducing the cost and complexity of execution. We consider whether this shift might invert traditional values attached to ideas versus thei...

In this revealing episode of Cognition Drift, our discussion centers around setting personal and professional targets for the year 2026. As the first episode of the new year, we look at our visions and resolutions in a candid conversation that explores the intersection of ambition, accountability, and personal growth. We also take some time to reflect on the personal motivations behind our profess...

In this engaging episode of "Cognition Drift," we focus on the transformation from specialized roles to a more generalist approach, and explore how the industry's demands have shifted over the years, particularly with the integration of AI and various digital tools. We also look at the concept of design systems, emphasizing the importance of these frameworks not only from a design pe...

In episode 26 of "Cognition Drift," we delve into the essence and impact of this podcasting journey, exploring the intersection of technology, AI, and personal growth through conversation. We contemplate the role of a consultant or designer in an age where AI can automate many of the technical aspects of design and decision-making, and ponder whether the true value they offer is becoming...

In this episode of "Cognition Drift," join our discussion on the transformative role of AI in business and the challenges inherent in shifting from service-based to product-based models. We look at the impact AI is having across various industries, questioning whether established companies can truly adapt to become AI-first or if the future belongs to new, agile startups born in the AI e...

In this episode of "Cognition Drift," join our discussion on the transformative role of AI in business and the challenges inherent in shifting from service-based to product-based models. We look at the impact AI is having across various industries, questioning whether established companies can truly adapt to become AI-first or if the future belongs to new, agile startups born in the AI e...

In episode 23 of "Cognition Drift," we dig into a variety of thought-provoking topics, from the mundane adventures of finding a favorite drink in Dubai to the complexities of moving houses, and the intriguing world of AI and technology. We look at digital habits, particularly the constant dopamine hits from activities like scrolling through TikTok or watching short videos along with a a...

In episode 22 of Cognition Drift, hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher delve into the nuanced impacts of artificial intelligence on craftsmanship and productivity in the digital age. The core of their discussion centers on how AI and digital tools, despite their promise to enhance productivity, might be contributing to a dip in craftsmanship quality. Andrew expresses concern over the potential los...

In episode 21 of "Cognition Drift," Joe Fletcher is joined by 10X founder, Robert Ziky to focus on user experience in digital applications. Throughout the discussion, they look at the difference between application usability, user stickiness, and the impact of privacy concerns on user engagement. Robert starts the conversation by sharing his switch from using Kareem to Talabat for food d...

In this episode of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher look at project estimations and how we can use AI in streamlining workflows, particularly. The duo also explores the potential of AI to revolutionize the way digital solutions are crafted, discussing how established components from a design system could be dynamically assembled by AI to produce hundreds of screens efficient...

In this episode of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher dive into the peculiarities and unexpected challenges of international travel, and the oddities of travel regulations across different countries. The discussion transitions into a broader dialogue beyond dealing with airport authorities, and peculiar international checkpoints and into the implications on personal...

Join hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher as they look at the evolving landscape of technology, work culture, and AI's impact on strategic decision-making. Episode 18 offers listeners a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights that make for a compelling discussion. Andrew talks about his visit to the Infosys campus in Bangalore. Joe contrasts this with his time in Hyderabad, spark...

In episode 17 of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher embark on a meandering exploration of artificial intelligence, and the seemingly mundane moments that encapsulate life's chaotic essence. The conversation kicks off with a casual chat about their morning routines involving exotic coffees and energy drinks, setting the stage for a deeper dialogue on how everyday...

In this episode Joe Fletcher and Andrew Dunbar take a look at value creation in the age of artificial intelligence and digital proliferation. "In a world where AI can produce infinitely, what truly holds value?" This inquiry sets the stage for a thought-provoking conversation about the nature of scarcity and abundance. Throughout the episode, Andrew and Joe explore how value is perceived and creat...

In episode 15, Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher discuss the nuances of craftsmanship, user experience design, and the impact of AI on industry standards. The conversation kicks off with a mundane chat about the importance of skill and dedication, regardless of the profession. Andrew and Joe use the barista's role as a metaphor to discuss broader themes in technology and design. They question whe...

In this episode of "Cognition Drift," Andrew and Joe again poke around in the evolving landscape of user experience design and the integration of AI in design tools. Episode 14"If Cotton Candy Was a Robot" ranges from the innocuous beginnings of different energy drinks to the how AI is influencing design practices. The conversation discusses losing traditional skills due to the increasing reliance...

In Episode 13 of "Cognition Drift," hosts Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher delve deep into the evolving landscape of value creation in a world saturated with infinite digital outputs. As AI continues to reshape our understanding of productivity and creativity, the duo explores the paradox of scarcity within abundance and its impact on product design and user experience. Starting with a listener's co...

In episode 12 of the AI Podcast, hosts Joe Fletcher and Andrew Dunbar delve into an engaging discussion about the evolving landscape of User Experience (UX) design and its intersection with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. As UX professionals face the dynamic challenges of 2025 and beyond, Joe and Andrew explore what it means to create meaningful digital experiences in an AI-dri...

In episode 11 of our podcast, Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher delve into the complex world of creativity and AI's impact on innovation. As technology rapidly evolves, the duo explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative landscape, leading to a proliferation of ideas but also raising questions about the intrinsic value of these outputs. The conversation kicks off with a casual chat...

In this episode, Andrew Dunbar and Joe Fletcher dive deep into the intersection of creativity, AI, and digital design. Joe kicks off the conversation sharing his experience of an all-night work session which sparked a profound discussion on the evolving role of websites and the broader implications of AI in design practices. Andrew adds his insights on the shift from AI as an add-on to a foundatio...