Many fear a future where huge swaths of the workforce are replaced by AI. But those concerns are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how companies can best unlock AI's profit-boosting potential, says Julie Bedard, a Fellow at BCG Henderson Institute. Instead of replacing people with AI, she says, companies should upskill workers with higher-order capabilities and put them in charge of AI tools—which will serve not as coworkers but as human-controlled conduits for better outcomes.   

 

Learn More: 

Julie Bedard: https://on.bcg.com/4ofmtYQ 

AI Is Moving Faster Than Your Workforce Strategy. Are You Ready?: https://on.bcg.com/3LeAEi6 

BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/4oaJmMU 

BCG on GenAI: https://on.bcg.com/4oJKqYd 

BCG Henderson Institute’s Latest Insights: https://on.bcg.com/3WZhwHu 

Chapters

00:00-02:04 The scenario: Does placing AI on equal footing with humans limit its potential? 

02:05-02:51 Will companies become more profitable by replacing humans with AI? 

02:52-03:59 Where will AI replace humans? 

04:00-04:56 AI as a tool 

04:57-06:10 What skills will be needed to succeed? 

06:11-07:32 Who will need to be upskilled? 

07:33-08:31 What happens to corporate hierarchy?  

08:32-09:58 How can companies use AI holistically? 

09:59-12:01 What does AI mean for mature workers? 

12:02-14:16 How can the education system prepare? 

14:17-14:56 Bill and GENE teaser 

14:57-18:50 How to build a talent strategy 

18:51-21:33 The role of the CPO 

21:34-22:53 Is AI a coworker? 

22:54-24:06 What happens to mentorship? 

24:07-27:34 How companies can approach fear surrounding AI

27:35-29:07 How companies might approach AI in the future 

29:08-30:20 What could disrupt this future? 

30:21-31:43 No regret moves for CEOs 

31:44-33:49 Bill and GENE: How to introduce AI agents to your team 

33:50-34:33 Outro 

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