Conversation on Collaboration

What do you think is the most significant trend or future development in KM? 

Larriza Thurler: AI and emerging technologies will play a significant role in shaping the future of KM. KM professionals have valuable skills that AI can enhance to facilitate discussions, gather insights, and streamline processes. AI can augment human intelligence, helping us with tasks that take time so that we can focus on creative and knowledge-driven work.

Moreover, collaboration is becoming stronger, as people increasingly recognise that sharing knowledge doesn’t diminish their power but instead leads to more excellent collective value. KMGN can play a crucial role in supporting these technological advancements by facilitating knowledge sharing across different networks.

Do you believe in the collaboration between humans and AI? How do you see this partnership?

Larriza Thurler: Yes, AI can augment human intelligence and help us with time-consuming tasks, giving us more time for creative and knowledge-based work. But, of course, it must be handled with caution.

Júlia Frozza: I agree. AI has enormous potential, but we must be intentional about developing both human and AI capabilities. AI can help improve our work but still relies on human oversight, especially in addressing biases and ensuring accuracy. KMGN, with its network and resources, can facilitate this human-AI collaboration across different disciplines and cultures, which is essential for ensuring that KM remains relevant in the face of rapid technological change.

Why did you choose Knowledge Management (KM) as an area for your professional development? What drew you to this field?

Larriza Thurler: I’ve always been passionate about how knowledge can be managed and shared across different platforms and communities. KM offers the chance to facilitate information flow and ensure that it contributes to innovation, efficiency, and collaboration. The potential to shape organisational success through knowledge exchange drew me to this field.

Júlia Frozza: The interdisciplinary nature of KM made it attractive to me. KM is about connecting people, technology, and ideas to solve problems and drive innovation. The way KM integrates so many elements of organizational success — collaboration, learning, and technology — motivated me to pursue it professionally.

Do you have any memorable moments where collaboration significantly impacted your professional journey?

Júlia Frozza: A WOW moment for me was during the COVID-19 pandemic when I worked as a health and safety manager for an international youth program. We had to shut down the program and evacuate students from 20 countries quickly as borders closed. The way our team collaborated under immense pressure to ensure the safety of the students was incredible. We had to manage communication with host families in Brazil and the students' families back home, all while facing constant changes in travel restrictions. Collaboration was key to making that happen successfully.

Larriza Thurler: I had a similar experience while working on a UN Women program across six countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. We had to manage collaboration across three languages—English, Spanish, and Portuguese—and ensure that efforts were aligned across all countries. Each country was working on similar projects but with minor adaptations, so collaboration helped reduce redundancy and improve efficiency. Despite the challenges, it was a moment where collective effort truly made a difference.

What are the main barriers to the adoption and effectiveness of collaborative technologies?

Larriza Thurler: One of the main barriers is the complexity of integrating people with different backgrounds and expertise. In my current role, I work with scientists, researchers, and startups, all of whom speak different “languages” in their fields. This diversity can be a challenge when implementing collaborative technologies that work for everyone. Another barrier is ensuring that these technologies are used for meaningful collaboration and not just to control or monitor activities. The key is to use technology to foster true teamwork, not just to organise or track progress.

Júlia Frozza: I agree. Additionally, working remotely creates new challenges. People struggle balancing life and work, and micromanagement can become problematic. Technologies should be used with intentionality, focusing on collaboration rather than control. Organisations need to find ways to promote better use of these tools while supporting the well-being of their employees.

Olga: "Collaboration seems to be a big part of your journey. Can you share a moment where collaboration made a significant difference?"

Bart: "Absolutely. One WOW moment was during a project where we had team members from different countries. The diverse perspectives were invaluable. I recall a situation where we were stuck on a design problem. It was a team member from Japan who suggested a unique approach inspired by traditional Japanese engineering techniques. It was a breakthrough moment, and it taught me the true power of collaboration."

Ved: "That’s what makes collaboration so special, right? It brings out the best in everyone. What made you start collaborating with KMGN?"

Bart: "The key reason was the need to bring together diverse KM professionals to share insights and best practices. By collaborating with KMGN, we could pool our knowledge and experiences to advance the field collectively. I remember my first KMGN meeting; it was like a knowledge explosion. People from different sectors shared their unique insights, and I immediately saw the value in being part of this network."

 Ved: "Did the association with KMGN help in developing your local KM network? In what way?"

Bart: "Absolutely. Through KMGN, I was able to connect with local KM professionals and organise regular meetups and workshops. One particular event I remember was a workshop on digital transformation in KM. We had an incredible turnout and grew our local network with 50% from just this single event. We had very rich discussions.. It definitely helped in building a strong local KM community where the members are now able to help each other. We have multiple examples where members started working together or hiring each other for KM jobs, because they knew each other from our local KM network."

Olga: "Any suggestions on what more can KMGN do to create more value for everyone?"

Bart: "KMGN could focus on creating more specialised forums for discussion. For example, a forum specifically for KM in the public sector, healthcare or tech sectors. This would allow members to dive deep into industry-specific challenges and solutions."

Olga: "What do you see as the main barriers to the adoption and effectiveness of collaborative technologies?"

Bart: "Mainly, it's a lack of trust, fear of knowledge theft, and organisational cultures that don't encourage sharing. I recall a project where we tried to implement a new collaborative platform. Initially, there was a lot of resistance due to concerns over data security. It took several workshops and a pilot program to build the necessary trust. Overcoming these requires creating a safe and supportive environment for collaboration."

Ved: "Reducing these barriers is crucial for effective collaboration."

Ved: "From your experience, what are some of the biggest trends shaping KM today?"

Bart: "There are quite a few. One major trend is the democratization of knowledge through social media, which encourages open sharing. Another trend is the reduced tenure of people in organizations, leading to more frequent movement of knowledge. This movement spreads knowledge across different entities and not just within a single organization. I see KMGN evolving by promoting open knowledge sharing and adapting to these dynamic changes. A story comes to mind from when I worked with a startup. The team was young, vibrant, and constantly changing. Yet, their ability to capture and share knowledge efficiently allowed them to innovate rapidly and stay ahead of the curve."

Olga: "How do you envision the role of collaboration evolving over the next 5-10 years?"

Bart: "I see collaboration becoming even more critical as work becomes more complex and interconnected. The integration of AI and other technologies will enhance our collaborative capabilities, making it easier to share and build on each other's knowledge. I once worked on a project where we integrated AI to help sort through large data sets. It was amazing to see how AI could highlight key information that we could then discuss and expand upon."

Olga: "Do you believe in the potential for collaboration between humans and AI?"

Bart: "Definitely. AI can handle vast amounts of data and provide insights that humans might miss. However, it's crucial to be mindful of the data and training algorithms used, as they shape the AI's outputs. When done correctly, AI can significantly augment human collaboration. Imagine an AI that not only suggests solutions but also learns from the team's feedback to improve continuously."

Ved: "What advice would you give to organizations and networks looking to enhance their collaborative efforts?"

Bart: "Focus on creating a culture of trust and openness. Encourage regular interactions and provide platforms for knowledge sharing. Ensure that everyone feels valued and understood. Always aim to give a little more than you take – this reciprocity ensures that the entire network thrives. I remember a piece of advice from a mentor: 'Always leave a little bit more on the table than you take.' It's a simple rule that fosters trust and long-term collaboration."