WorkLab

Raffaella Sadun, Charles E. Wilson Professor at Harvard Business School, delves into the essence of Frontier Firms—organizations that thrive through innovative experimentation and human-AI collaboration. She emphasizes the challenges of reskilling, advocating for a clear strategy and the right mindset shift for employees. Sadun also outlines practical steps for leaders to empower their teams and drive transformation. From embedding development in managers' roles to encouraging employees to become AI inventors, her insights are actionable and thought-provoking.

Raffaella Sadun, Charles E. Wilson Professor at Harvard Business School, dives into the challenges of transforming into a Frontier Firm. She discusses the necessity for cultures built around experimentation and collaboration between humans and AI. Sadun emphasizes that there’s no universal playbook for AI strategy; it must be tailored to each organization's culture. She shares insights on effective reskilling techniques, the evolving role of leaders, and how employees can become innovators in their firms.

Pascal Bornet, a renowned AI and automation expert with a rich consulting history at McKinsey and EY, discusses the revolutionary role of AI agents in the workplace. He explains how these agents can plan, act, and learn, potentially replacing traditional apps. Bornet shares his SPA framework for effective agent design and highlights real-world applications, including use cases from Pets at Home. He emphasizes the importance of centering human skills like creativity and critical thinking to ensure success in AI adoption.

Pascal Bornet, an AI and intelligent automation expert with experience at McKinsey and EY, discusses the transformative potential of AI agents in business. He introduces the SPA framework for designing effective agents that sense, plan, act, and reflect. Bornet shares impressive real-world examples, including fraud reduction and faster onboarding processes. He emphasizes the importance of human-centric design in AI adoption and highlights the unique blend of creativity and critical thinking that humans bring to hybrid teams with AI. Gain insights on how to effectively integrate AI agents for competitive advantage.

The AI-first future of business is coming into focus, and it's time for every firm to become a Frontier Firm—a human-led, AI-operated org that buys intelligence like it's electricity, deploys it across workflows, and compounds it like interest. The burning question for leaders: How do we get there? The latest season of the WorkLab podcast will light the way, kicking off on October 29 with Pascal Bornet, coauthor of Agentic Artificial Intelligence: Harnessing AI Agents to Reinvent Business, Work and Life. WorkLab Subscribe to the WorkLab newsletter

Explore the transformative journey towards becoming an AI-first business. Leaders discuss how to reshape organizations to integrate AI effortlessly. Learn about the concept of Frontier Firms, where human innovation meets AI operations. Pascal Bornet shares insights from his book on utilizing agentic AI to revolutionize workflows. Discover how to treat intelligence like a utility, deploying it strategically to enhance efficiency and drive success.

Rajesh Jha, Microsoft's EVP of Experiences + Devices, shares his insights on navigating the AI landscape. He discusses the importance of courageous leadership as organizations adapt to rapid AI changes and highlights lessons from past transitions like cloud computing. Jha emphasizes balancing innovation with responsible governance while implementing AI tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot. He also touches on how AI agents are transforming decision-making processes, blending digital labor with human skills for enhanced productivity.

Rajesh Jha, Microsoft’s EVP of Experiences + Devices, is at the forefront of AI integration in technology. He shares insights on the courage needed for leaders to navigate AI-driven changes. The discussion highlights the importance of clear mission and customer-centric strategies while balancing speed with security. Jha explores the evolution of human-computer interaction, emphasizing collaboration between AI and humans. He also envisions future workplace transformations and the emergence of new roles as organizations adapt to this technological revolution.

Kalindi Mehta, the Global VP for Consumer Foresight Strategy and Predictive Analytics at Estée Lauder, discusses the disruptive role of AI in the beauty industry. She highlights how predictive analytics aids in quickly adapting to microtrends and consumer behavior. Mehta also emphasizes the importance of soft skills for AI integration and data-driven decision-making in legacy companies. Additionally, she envisions a future where AI boosts workplace efficiency, allowing people to focus on more creative and emotional aspects of their roles.

Cassie Kozyrkov, an AI advisor and the mastermind behind decision intelligence, shares insights into leveraging AI for better leadership. She highlights the pitfalls of confirmation bias and the complexities of decision-making in an age flooded with choices. Cassie discusses how to effectively integrate AI as a thought partner, fostering creativity while maintaining human agency. The conversation also touches on the evolving workplace dynamics, emphasizing the need for creative leadership amid automation.