AI Profit, Not Pilots: Lessons from Tech, Media and Telecom

About this episode

Val Elbert discusses the necessity for CEOs to transition from AI pilots to profit-driven initiatives.

AI is no longer a technology experiment—it’s a business imperative. Val Elbert, a member of BCG’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice, explains why CEOs must shift from AI pilots to profit, demand quarterly results from all AI initiatives, and lead cross-functional AI transformations that deliver real bottom-line impact. The winners will scale fast. The rest will be left explaining themselves to investors. Learn More Val Elbert, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/val-elbert As AI Investments Surge, CEOs Take the Lead, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead Turning AI Disruption into a Telco's Growth Engine, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/turning-ai-disruption-into-telcos-growth-engine Driving Growth and Innovation at Verizon Consumer Group, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/driving-growth-innovation-leading-telco Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Where TMT companies stand on AI adoption 02:32 The boardroom shift from AI pilots to scale 03:11 Building AI into business agendas 03:49 AI adoption patterns across industries 0 4:37 Leaders need to see quarterly results…

People in this episode

Guest: Val Elbert

Topics covered

• AI adoption
• business transformation
• technology leadership
• profit generation
• cross-functional teams

Keywords

• AI
• business imperative
• CEOs
• profit
• technology transformation
• quarterly results
• TMT companies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Boston Consulting Group, BCG, Verizon Consumer Group

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