What Next?

Dr. Mohan Gundeti, pioneer in pediatric robotic and laparoscopic surgery on his innovations in digital surgery, AI, and telerobotics. The first surgeon to perform reconstructive bladder surgery in a child argues for the future of robotic surgery in minimally invasive surgeries, including pediatric patients as young as four months. The use of AI and machine learning to diagnose health conditions and enable remote surgeries, he says, could potentially reduce kidney failure in children and increase global health equity. As a student at the Leadership in Society Initiative at the University of Chicago Graham School, he also argues the case for personal enhancement by training himself for marathons and practicing gratitude.#Medicine #Robotic

Nick Restrepo, Vice President of Sales at World Emblem, on his journey into heat applied decorations in the garment industry.  Today creativity and personalization driven by AI is spreading everywhere. Using the evolution from traditional sewing to heat-applied dimensional branding as an example, Nick argues the impact of technology, particularly AI, in personalization and streamlining the process. His insights in leadership stress humility, transparency, and client relationship-building, but time, he concludes, is the ultimate currency.

Rick Yvanovich, visionary business coach and serial entrepreneur, on his journey from an accountant to transformational business coach. The author of Business as Unusual, How to Thrive in the New Renaissance, and trusted advisor to driving growth and change around the world argues that being an architect of change, is about blending purpose and performance. He calls for personal accountability in leadership and as a team member, making the choice to shape your life and aligning your own sense of purpose in your organization's success. 

Chris Hirst, an award-winning author and former Global CEO, shares his insights on leadership and career success. He emphasizes that effective leadership is about movement and transformation, not just authority. Hirst argues that career fulfillment hinges on attitude and the ability to build strong relationships. He dispels the myth that busyness equals productivity, urging listeners to focus on clear goals. Key skills like networking and empowering others are crucial for becoming indispensable in today's workplace.

Michael Walrath, CEO of Yext, on the shift from an internet built for humans to one built for machines. The founder of Right Media which was acquired by Yahoo for $850 million, and Moat which was acquired by Oracle, argues the importance of structured data for AI-driven search and discoverability. Google, he says, will still be important, but will soon no longer be the entire oxygen of the internet. As AI blows this space apart, marketers, he urges, must quickly adapt by focusing on data architecture and leveraging new AI tools like ChatGPT and TikTok. However, he believes that the future is bright, if only for marketers who understand the scope of this exciting tectonic shift.

Anders Indset, leading business philosopher and author of The Singularity Paradox, places the emergence of Artificial Human Intelligence at the center of a broader reflection on what it means to be human in a world of accelerating technological change. Recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the most influential voices in technology, economy, and leadership, he is the founder and chairman of Njordis Group, a venture firm committed to enabling positive progress for humanity.As the commercialization of humanoid robotics gathers pace, Indset warns of the societal and existential consequences of systems that are increasingly capable of replicating human thought and behavior. In a landscape shaped by exponential transformation, where risks and possibilities unfold simultaneously, he argues for a new mindset: organizations as learning systems, guided by innovation and shaped by ethical cultures rooted in trust, change, and friction.

Steven Gaffney, author and expert in change management and honest communication on his nine-step formula for effective leadership. Coaching and advising high-achieving teams with Fortune 500 clients like Amazon, Marriott and Allstate Insurance and the US government and military has led him to highlight the need for deep listening and addressing emotions. Leaders must create emotionally safe environments he argues. Encouraging honest feedback, maintaining consistency and appreciating employees' hard work fosters a workplace culture centred on achievement and achievers versus performing and performers in a world of ambiguity and change.#Business #Management

Kudzi Chikumbu, tech executive at TikTok, venture capital advisor and digital influencer on the rise of the portfolio career. He argues that the creator economy is much more than just a side hustle, but a talent pipeline which is already enabling the best creatives to leverage their talent and use social media to express their authentic creativity. The role of human differentiation in the AI age, he argues, will remain crucial as the need rises for creativity, inspiration, and identity to work alongside the machines of the future.#Tik-Tok #ContentCreators #SocialMedia

Steve Fisher, futurist and innovation leader at Revolution Factory and The Human Frontier Institute on the future of AI and human potential in the workplace. The author of The Startup Equation, host of The Think Forward Show and Off World Podcast discusses his new book, Super Shifts, which argues the importance of designing the future rather than simply reacting to it or resisting it. He says the rapid systemic changes driven by AI and other technological advancements must be seen as an opportunity to reimagine and reinvent if we are to embrace the Age of Intelligence. #Startup #AI #HumanIntelligence

On a special crossover episode between Career Lab and What Next, Renetta McCann joins Rishad Tobaccowala to explore the monumental shifts redefining where, when, and why we work. Drawing from insights in Rishad’s new book, Re-Thinking Work, they unpack the five forces reshaping the future of employment—from generational mindset shifts and the rise of AI to the gig economy and the lasting effects of the pandemic. Together, they dive into how "unbundled and distributed work" is evolving into a competitive advantage, enabling greater flexibility and unlocking global talent in today’s ever-changing landscape.#Leadership #FutureOfWork #Business