The So What from BCG

What happens when AI meets your most human processes like hiring, feedback, and development? Alicia Pittman, BCG’s global people chair, shares how the firm uses AI to amplify human strengths, not replace them. From building trust to rethinking management roles, she offers a roadmap for leaders navigating AI-powered change.  Learn More: Alicia Pittman: https://on.bcg.com/4pcZ2Qs BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/43X5rGT A Promise That Brings AI to Life Responsibly: https://on.bcg.com/4anxsLC Chapters: 00:00-00:56 Introduction/Alicia’s ‘So What’ 00:57-02:18 Lessons from BCG’s AI journey 02:19-05:24 Where is AI being used at BCG in people management? 05:25-07:08 What challenges has BCG faced? 07:09-08:04 What didn’t work at first? 08:05-09:43 How do you measure success with AI? 09:44-13:10 What are the biggest concerns for leaders at other companies? 13:11-14:56 What has to stay human? 14:57-15:40 What does a human in the loop look like for BCG? 15:41-18:50 Should you act now or wait and see how AI plays out? 18:51-21:38 How is AI reshaping how we learn? 21:39-21:59 Advice for leaders 22:00-22:50 Alicia’s ‘Now What’  22:51-23:06 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Medtech is a $900 billion industry transforming how we treat, diagnose, and prevent disease—but its innovation engine is slowing. Vikram Aggarwal, global leader of BCG’s medical technology work, explains what’s behind the slowdown and how leaders can rethink regulation, software, and talent to re-accelerate breakthroughs.  Learn More: Vikram Aggarwal: https://on.bcg.com/4osjpc6 BCG on Medtech: https://on.bcg.com/3LlJ6MC How Medtech Leaders Are Revving Up Their Innovation Engines: https://on.bcg.com/4op2Rl8 Chapters 00:00-01:25 Introduction/Vikram’s ‘So What’ 01:26-02:10 What is medtech? 02:11-03:46 Where are some of the most exciting innovations happening in medtech? 03:47-05:36 What areas get the most attention? 05:37-07:33 What are the barriers to innovation? 07:34-08:36 How do software and hardware innovation compare? 08:37-09:58 Software in a medical device vs software as a medical device 09:59-11:40 Is there a lag between innovation in software vs hardware? 11:41-13:41 What is the ideal innovation environment for medtech? 13:42-15:13 How do we fix the STEM skills shortage? 15:14-17:46 What will bring the most value over the next decade? 17:47-19:04 What is happening at startups vs established companies? 19:05 – 20:01 Vikram’s ‘Now What’ 20:02-20:15 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Space isn’t just for rockets and research anymore. Satellite technology drives precision navigation, automation, and connectivity—quietly powering everything from farming to finance. Troy Thomas, BCG’s global lead for space business, explains why CEOs need a deliberate space strategy to stay ahead of disruption and unlock new growth.   Learn More: Troy Thomas: https://on.bcg.com/4qhq5ea BCG on the Space Sector: https://on.bcg.com/4hohjqS Space Services Are the Next Frontier for Industrial Companies: https://on.bcg.com/47zs3za GAIA: A Foundation Model for Operational Atmospheric Dynamics: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18179 GAIA Foundation Model is available for download: https://huggingface.co/bcg-usra-nasa-gaia Chapters 00:00- 01:16 Introduction/Troy’s ‘So What’ 01:17-01:57 What would a day look like without space? 01:58-04:02 How big is the space industry? 04:03-06:01 The three pillars of space 06:02-08:05 What pillar is the most significant for growth? 08:06-10:40 What can space tech really do for a company? 10:41-12:50 Does every company need a space strategy? 12:51-14:22 What does a good space strategy look like? 14:23-15:52 How do you manage risks? 15:53-16:55 Why would you own your own space assets? 16:56-19:13 Is there enough space in space? 19:14-20:33 BCG’s work with NASA 20:34-22:21 How will space impact the future? 22:22-23:04 Troy’s ‘Now What’ 23:05-23:18 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

AI and data help tell us what people do, but not why. Lauren Taylor, global leader of BCG’s Center for Customer Insight, makes sense of the mixed signals that consumers give off. To truly understand what drives people, businesses of course value robust, real-time data. But they also must uncover the context, motivators, and human truth behind every choice. Learn More:Lauren Taylor: https://on.bcg.com/4nfwZ1A BCG’s Latest Thinking on Customer Insights: https://on.bcg.com/46iy6Yt The Paradox of Pessimism: Why Gloomy Consumers Keep Spending: https://on.bcg.com/3Ir7FH2 Unpacking the $15 Trillion Opportunity in Leisure Travel: https://on.bcg.com/4gGyCTI Mapping the Consumer Touchpoints That Influence Decisions: https://on.bcg.com/3IBLBcD GenAI’s Role in Customer Insights: Think "And" Not "Or": https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/genais-role-customer-insights-think-ajr3c/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction/Lauren’s ‘So What’ 01:26 How can businesses cut through the contradictions and understand what customers want? 02:49 Should companies just ignore what people say? 03:19 What is consumer sentiment? 04:38 What can businesses really learn from consumers? 05:36 What factors play into the say-do gap? 06:21 How much does emotion shape what people buy? 07:46 How and why should businesses deaverage the customer? 09:09 How nuanced is motivation across different regions? 10:18 What parts of the customer journey shape what people choose? 12:11 Has AI helped us better understand customers or made things more confusing? 12:53 How can companies make sense of conflicting signals? 13:52 How is AI changing the way that we understand consumer behavior? 14:47 With data available, why is it critical for businesses to still talk to customers? 16:20 What mistakes are companies making when it comes to listening to their customers? 17:08 What should companies look for in sentiment signals? 17:33 Lauren’s ‘Now What’ 18:05 Do milestone moments matter? 18:28 OutroThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Transformation isn’t a gamble—it’s science. Kristy Ellmer, a leader with BCG Transform, unpacks the research behind what really makes change work: involving employees in the journey, preparing for the “messy middle,” and building emotional and practical support into the process. Successful efforts focus equally on shifting behaviors and mindsets, not just strategy and structure.  Learn More: Kristy Ellmer: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/kristy-ellmer Preorder Kristy's Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Really-Works-Science-Based/dp/B0FHBXYSLZBCG’s Latest Thinking on Business Transformation: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/business-transformation/insights To Keep Transformations on Track, Incentives Are Crucial: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/incentives-are-crucial-for-transformation-success The Transformation Paradox: How to Grow When the Growing Gets Tough: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/transformation-paradox-how-grow-when-growing-gets-tough This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Private equity is under pressure to deliver returns in a tougher environment. Clark O’Niell, BCG’s global lead for AI infrastructure and cyber in the private investors & private equity practice, shares how the smartest investors are using AI to move beyond hype, drive impact at scale, and future-proof their portfolios. It’s about focus over fragmentation—and combining judgment with new tools.  Learn More: Clark O’Niell: https://on.bcg.com/46tTmep BCG’s Latest Thinking on Private Equity: https://on.bcg.com/4598Fa5 IT Spending Pulse: AI Agents and GenAI Reshape Priorities: https://on.bcg.com/4mmjVXG The So What from BCG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Europe is at a tipping point after years of slow growth. Sylvain Duranton, BCG X’s global leader, explains how countries and companies can work together to simplify regulation, scale innovation, and build a truly unified, competitive Europe.  Learn More: Sylvain Duranton:https://on.bcg.com/3T9QN9b Europe’s Business Leaders Are Ready for Action: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/global-trade-disruption-wake-up-call-europe-boston-consulting-group-lbnhe/ BCG’s Center for Geopolitics: https://on.bcg.com/4kJir8K This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp