Imagine This...

For decades, Africa has exported critical raw materials to the rest of the world. But the African Continental Free Trade Agreement promises to help the continent capture more value from its natural resources. The AfCFTA will create a single market where goods and services flow freely between commodity-rich African nations and more industrialized ones. At the same time, Africa is poised to finally achieve universal access to reliable power. BCG’s Tolu Oyekan looks at what these developments mean for Africa—and for the rest of the world. Learn More: Tolu Oyekan: https://on.bcg.com/3KLu56U Africa Unleashed: Powering Prosperity Through Energy Access: https://on.bcg.com/4pjj0ZK Africa Unleashed: Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Execution Gap: https://on.bcg.com/4rKhQbe Chapters 00:00-02:10 The scenario: The value of Pan-African trade has exploded 02:11-03:01 Where does intra-African trade stand today? 03:02-03:50 How will Africa plug into future global supply chains? 03:51-05:10 What is the current impact of AfCFTA? 05:11-05:42 How to address skepticism  05:43-07:40 What could an African renaissance look like? 07:41-10:21 How will AI’s power be harnessed across Africa? 10:22-11:03 Bill and GENE Teaser 11:04-14:20 The future of Africa’s energy infrastructure 14:21-15:40 Where will investments come from? 15:41-17:11 Will red tape hold back advancing electricity in Africa? 17:12-19:20 What role will sustainable energy play? 19:21-20:34 How to innovate around existing infrastructure challenges? 20:35-22:07 Curveball: What could prevent this future? 22:08-23:19 What is one no-regret move CEOs can make now? 23:20-27:29 Bill and GENE: Creating a Pan-African battery company. 27:30-28:14 OutroThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

For more than a century, Western technology, media, and cultural exports have wielded outsized influence around the globe. But over the past decade, Asian entrepreneurs and artists have started to give their Western counterparts a run for their money. BCG’s Neeraj Aggarwal explores how Asia’s influence could evolve over the next decade to rival the West’s—and how companies can strategically position themselves now to seize new opportunities.  Learn More: Neeraj Aggarwal: https://on.bcg.com/3LVoawo The Five Forces Shaping Asia-Pacific’s New Powerhouses: https://on.bcg.com/4p5bGB4 Chapters 00:00- 02:16 The scenario: Asia’s influence is on near-equal footing with the West 02:17-03:24 What forces are converging to extend the global reach? 03:25-04:02 What about capital for creatives and entrepreneurs? 04:03-06:21 Where will rebalancing be most evident now and in the future? 06:22-07:33 Will entrenched legacy thinking slow the West? 07:34-09:00 What role does AI play in the impact of the East and West? 09:01-10:26 To what degree is the Asian diaspora driving the rebalancing trend? 10:27-11:37 What is the role of global native entrepreneurs in this rebalancing? 11:38-12:58 Does a multipolar world work for or against global natives? 12:59-13:32 Bill and GENE Teaser 13:33-15:54 Will companies see rebalancing in the flow of talent? 15:55-18:31 Implications for Western companies in this global rebalancing18:32-21:28 Will we see more fracturing and censorship? 21:29-23:00 If AI ecosystems become siloed, what is the impact on cultural exports? 23:01-24:06 What could upend this future? 24:07-25:25 What is one no-regret move CEOs can make now? 25:26-27:52 Bill and GENE: Creating the next K-pop blockbuster 27:52-28:36 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

As regional trading blocs emerge, today’s multinational playbooks will become increasingly obsolete. Marc Gilbert, BCG’s Global Lead for its Center for Geopolitics, unpacks what every CEO needs to know to master the multi-polar world, from what winning looks like to navigating local rules, preferences and politics without losing the global edge.  Learn More: Marc Gilbert: https://on.bcg.com/4p2KjqP What’s in Your Tariff Response Toolkit?: https://on.bcg.com/47z0M03 Services Are the New Fault Lines in Global Trade: https://on.bcg.com/43hUsaM BCG on International Trade: https://on.bcg.com/3JBZoAB Bonus Content on Trade and Tariffs: https://youtu.be/08RH9rSjH5YChapters 00:00-01:38 The scenario: The multinational has become regional 01:39-02:57 The current state of trade and tariffs 02:58-04:25 How are CEOs navigating geopolitical risk? 04:26-06:59 What are command centers and how are leaders using them? 7:00-08:11 How do CEOs focus on long-term value during turbulence? 08:12-10:18 What major trade blocs could emerge in the future? 10:19-11:54 Will companies need to restructure to thrive? 11:55-12:57 How will companies adapt? 12:58-13:53 Which industries are likely to be most disrupted? 13:54-14:33 Bill and GENE Teaser 14:34-16:39 How can companies acquire the best talent? 16:40-17:34 How can companies insure they have the best AI talent? 17:35-19:21 How would regulation develop in this new world? 19:22-20:10 How should companies think about their headquarters? 20:11-21:11 Will local wins cannibalize global value? 21:12-22:39 How will trade disputes be handled? 22:40-23:51 What scenarios could disrupt this future? 23:52-25:47 What is one no-regret move CEOs can make now? 25:48-28:34 Bill and GENE: Building apps with no experience using AI 28:35-29:18 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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 Chapters00:00-02:04 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 AI27:35-29:07 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 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Sponsored and boosted content is a reality of web searches these days, making it harder for consumers to find agnostic product recommendations. Consumers who want to cut to the chase will increasingly use LLMs. Chatbots can quickly comb the web to help consumers research products and serve up recommendations that fit personal needs and tastes. BCG’s Andrej Levin explores how consumers will use LLMs to transform the car buying experience and how CEOs across industries can position their companies to thrive in this burgeoning AI-enabled consumer journey.  Learn More: Andrej Levin: https://on.bcg.com/4nSUluo BGC’s Latest Thinking on Automotive: https://on.bcg.com/4mYjenj Will AI Become the Best Car Sales Advisor?: https://on.bcg.com/46Na1cyChapters 00:00-02:38 The scenario: AI reinvents how consumers shop 02:39-04:00 How are people already shopping for cars with AI? 04:01-05:20 How will information reach consumers using LLMs to buy cars? 05:21-08:04 Who controls the information LLMs access? 08:05-09:41 What happens to brands that lag behind? 09:42-11:07 What happens to customer loyalty? 11:08-13:12 How can auto manufacturers approach regional differences? 13:13-14:23 How will LLMs merge with the web and traditional search? 14:24-17:18 Will your car sensors help serve up recommendations? 17:19-19:43 How can AI improve financing in car buying? 19:44-20:15 Bill and GENE teaser 20:16-22:38 How can AI assist with everyday purchases? 22:39-24:53 Can retail shopping experiences compete with LLMs? 24:54-26:00 Will mass market brands break down? 26:01-27:32 Who will be in control of consumers’ data? 27:33-29:20 Will sponsored content find its way to chatbots? 29:21-31:46 How can business leaders ensure their product shows up in LLMs? 31:47-32:33 What could disrupt this future? 32:34-33:34 What no-regret move could CEOs make now to prepare? 33:35-36:36 Bill and GENE: How to become visible in LLM search 36:37-37:20 OutroThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

AI is creating greater customer personalization, but a far more fundamental change is coming. Over the next decade, it will break down silos across organizations and give CMOs always-on access to better, deeper, and far more comprehensive information. In this episode, BCG’s Janet Balis explores how this will fundamentally change CMOs’ decision making. They will no longer focus exclusively on marketing campaigns; rather, they’ll broaden their oversight to delivering business outcomes—and they’ll do it by leading a holistic, company-wide transformation.  Learn More: Janet Balis: https://on.bcg.com/46NNawp BCG’s Latest Thinking on Marketing and Sales: https://on.bcg.com/4pJwe2u BCG on the Media and Entertainment Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4mBDECp Chapters: 00:00-02:14 The scenario: AI in marketing 02:15-03:59 How are marketing departments currently using AI? 04:00-05:36 How can AI drive personalization? 05:37-08:10 How will companies use AI to create content? 08:11-11:35 How will AI change the way the C-suite makes decisions? 11:36-13:32 Who owns the customer experience in the future? 13:33-15:15 Should the CMO lead AI transformations? 15:15-15:43 Break 15:43-19:35 How will AI change the way data is presented? 19:36-21:23 What cultural and structural changes are holding companies back? 21:24-23:06 What skills will be needed to succeed in the future? 23:07-24:47 Will companies need to rethink incentives? 24:48-26:23 What can CEOs do today to prepare? 26:24-29:49 Bill and GENE: Creating a vibe marketing campaign 29:50-30:33 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Too often, a company’s sales strategy is limited by finite resources. Even the largest multinational corporations have to make tough decisions about where to deploy their sales teams. But as they grow more sophisticated, AI agents are expected to be capable of reaching and interacting with not only your largest and most valuable clients and customers, but also small businesses most sales teams simply didn’t have the bandwidth to engage before. BCG’s Phillip Andersen examines the potential of AI-driven sales teams and imagines how AI-agents might even negotiate simple transactions with each other.  Learn More: Phillip Andersen: https://on.bcg.com/46plrlt BCG’s Latest Thinking on Marketing and Sales: https://on.bcg.com/47L7ZKR A Bold AI Ambition for B2B Marketing, Sales, and Service: https://on.bcg.com/3VVCNBi How to Accelerate the GenAI Revolution in Sales: http://on.bcg.com/42zfEZb Chapters: 00:00-02:13The scenario: AI sales agents of the future 02:14-03:02 How do sales teams currently prioritize where to put their resources? 03:03-03:46 How are most sales teams using AI right now 03:47- 06:09 What have we learned from AI already being used in customer service? 06:10-08:40 What doors will AI agents open for sales teams that are currently closed to them? 08:41- 11:08 What would AI outreach look like in the future? 11:09-12:56 What is the role of humans when AI agents are making deals? 12:57-13:24 Short break 13:25-16:13 How to use AI agents to build relationships with valued clients 16:14- 17:47 Who owns the “redline”? 17:48-19:43 How will junior members of the team grow their skills? 19:44-22:16 How can AI help junior members grow their skills? 22:17-23:38 What kind of skills will humans need to succeed when they're augmented by AI agents? 23:39-25:47 What will it look like when two AI agents interact with each other? 25:48-27:50 How will AI agents gained trust of customers? 27:51-29:25 What could disrupt this path to the future? 29:26-31:45 No regret moves for CEOs 31:46-35:23 Bill and GENE: A hypothetical conversation between two AI agents. 35:24-36:08 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Who Wants to Be a CEO? The role of the CEO is both powerful and punishing. Christine Barton, BCG’s CEO Advisory lead in North America, explores how to make the job more fulfilling. It starts with clarity of purpose, building the right leadership team, and minimizing activities that are time and energy sinkholes.  Learn More: The So What from BCG: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show10Christine Barton: https://on.bcg.com/4n4CyAk BCG’s Insights for CEOs: https://on.bcg.com/4l6jujg Moves Only a CEO Can Make: https://on.bcg.com/4kUtpJ2 Balancing a Dynamic Career and a Rewarding Personal Life: https://on.bcg.com/3TfaYTz This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Quantum computers harness the almost mystical properties of subatomic particles to solve problems that are beyond even the most powerful “classical” computers available today. Will these computers usher in a new generation of custom pharmaceuticals and sustainable materials—or will they be used to crack every password and create global chaos? BCG’s Antoine Gourévitch imagines the coming age of quantum computers and dives deep into ways they could supercharge the discovery of new materials. But the quantum age comes with huge risks as well; governments around the world are already racing to develop quantum-safe passwords that will keep our data secure. Learn More: Antoine Gourévitch: https://on.bcg.com/4hMrXaQ BCG on Quantum Computing: https://on.bcg.com/3AGK415  GenAI on GenAI: https://link.chtbl.com/bcg-genai-on-genai?sid=IT CEO Digest: https://link.chtbl.com/ceo-digest-bcg-show?sid=IT CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/ITMoT This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

While discussions of US tariff policies dominated Q2 earnings calls to an unprecedented degree, another equally important trend is bubbling just under the surface in C-suites and on trading floors: concern that the economic uncertainty caused by tariff turmoil may lead to a downturn. That’s the conclusion of the third edition of the CEO Radar—a tool to help CEOs determine which issues truly deserve their time and attention. It unpacks the leading topics discussed on more than 4,500 earnings calls worldwide in Q2 2025, enabling chief executives to compare their agendas to those of their peers, and to the market’s expectations. On this episode of the CEO Radar Podcast, Edward Adams of Bloomberg Media Studios is joined by BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser and Mai-Britt Poulsen, Global Leader of BCGs Consumer & Retail Practice, to discuss how CEOs can build their resilience. Listen to CEO Radar: https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/bcg/the-ceo-radar-q3-2025 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

By the year 2035, we will likely be able to utilize AI to crunch complex data sets and produce far more accurate predictions of the future, for everything from stock market fluctuations to consumer trends. Already, meteorologists are using AI to improve weather forecasting—for instance, by more accurately predicting when a hurricane will make landfall. But BCG’s Alan Iny says this does not mean that business leaders will be able to dispense with planning for multiple scenarios. Predictions will never be perfect—and everyone will have access to the same tools—so strategic planning will remain critical even as it evolves in new ways. Learn More: Alan Iny: https://on.bcg.com/4fCNDo5Are Leaders as Prepared for Strategic Risks as They Think They Are?: https://on.bcg.com/3AXqw8J BCG on Corporate Finance and Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/496c3Ek CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/ITMoT GenAI on GenAI: https://link.chtbl.com/bcg-genai-on-genai?sid=IT CEO Digest: https://link.chtbl.com/ceo-digest-bcg-show?sid=IT This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

What can ancient Greek myths teach us about modern leadership? Kirsten Rulf has spent her career at the intersection of tech, policy, and public service. In this episode, Kirsten shares how she found clarity in moments of uncertainty, why AI presents a major opportunity for the public good, and what it was like helping shape the EU’s landmark tech legislation. Kirsten is a Partner and Associate Director at BCG. Before joining BCG, she advised German Chancellor Angela Merkel and served as head of digital policy in the German government, playing a key role in negotiating Europe’s AI and data laws.  Listen to In Her Ellement: https://lnk.to/bcg-in-her-ellement-series-link04  [1:26] A Big Win, Then The Hard Work Follows [05:21] Potential of AI in Public Sector [08:56] Roots In Ovid’s Metamorphosis [12:09] From Journalism to CyberSecurity [14:14] A Phone Call from Angela Merkel [13:48] Navigating Career Changes and Mentorship [19:23] “Hope is not a strategy” [22:16] Reflections This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Apps were supposed to make life easier to navigate, but they often create more complexity. Planning a trip can involve hundreds of digital touchpoints over several months. But new advances–especially the growth of AI agents–coupled with ambient and voice-recognition technology, could make apps obsolete. BCG’s Dutch MacDonald imagines a world where, for example, we could just have a conversation with our personal AI assistant about our dream vacation and it could do all the planning and booking for us. Learn More: Dutch:https://on.bcg.com/4k3Hy5s How AI Agents Are Opening the Golden Era of Customer Experience: https://on.bcg.com/4ndwK7K BCG’s Latest Thinking on AI: https://on.bcg.com/3ZMzmj0 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The pharmaceutical industry has yet to develop highly effective treatments for common chronic and neurological issues, like Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease. But GenAI promises to accelerate the discovery and development of breakthrough treatments. BCG’s Priya Chandran explores possible new approaches and how breakthrough drugs can be made more affordable and more available to the patients who need them. Learn More: Priya Chandran: https://on.bcg.com/3ZZO5ad BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Health Care Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4kFxhxH Biopharma Trends 2025: https://on.bcg.com/4mX6CxN  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The most enthusiastic AI evangelists say that in the not-too-distant future bots with artificial general intelligence (AGI) will match—or even exceed—the cognitive abilities of humans on pretty much any task. But what if we don’t reach that elusive goal? BCG’s Noah Broestl imagines how AI will nonetheless continue to evolve in amazing ways, yielding a proliferation of specialized models each with its own specific advantages. These models will be much more accurate, and they will feature advances in safety, transparency, and efficiency. Learn More: Noah Broestl: https://on.bcg.com/4mtes1N BCG’s Latest Thinking on AI: https://on.bcg.com/4jnOLNz You Won’t Get GenAI Right If You Get Human Oversight Wrong: https://on.bcg.com/45rTvyj GenAI Will Fail. Prepare for It: https://on.bcg.com/4kx8ECP The AI Instant Skills Boost: What CEOs Need to Know: https://on.bcg.com/4jnE8dJ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

We could be on the verge of a nuclear power renaissance. Climate change is one reason: nuclear power remains the largest source of carbon-free energy in the United States. Also, demand for electricity is surging. BCG’s Ben Vannier imagines a future where the promise of less expensive nuclear power has been realized. The key will be small modular reactors (SMRs) that are less complex and easier to build. Let’s not ignore the big question: safety. Nuclear power’s already safe, Ben says, and with SMRs, there's even less risk.Learn More: Ben Vannier: https://on.bcg.com/4jKRQYV What’s Holding Back Nuclear in the West?: https://on.bcg.com/42Tg7Gt A Fusion Future Is No Longer Wishful Thinking: https://on.bcg.com/44xwWIi BCG’s Latest Thinking on Energy: https://on.bcg.com/44weiQR This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In the future, hackers will have many new vulnerabilities to exploit, especially as industries move from legacy IT to state-of-the-art digital systems. BCG’s Vanessa Lyon looks at how cyber-attacks are likely to evolve over the next ten years, and what business leaders need to do to protect their companies. This is critical, she explains, because governments are already moving to hold CEOs and other top executives personally accountable for cyberattacks on their companies. Learn More: Vanessa Lyon: https://on.bcg.com/4jmhN0M The Cyber Secure CEO: https://on.bcg.com/3Gq91QW What Cybersecurity Leaders Get Right: https://on.bcg.com/4iACrJk Cybersecurity Has a Talent Shortage. Here’s How to Close the Gap: https://on.bcg.com/445Ozi3 BCG on Cybersecurity and Digital Risk: https://on.bcg.com/44advVGThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

AI Can Build Your Next Business—If You Think BiggerBusinesses are overlooking AI’s ability to create entirely new products and businesses. Beth Viner, who leads BCG’s corporate venturing and business building at BCGX, explains how organizations can move beyond efficiency and generate big revenue gains. Companies can combine their historical strengths with AI’s power to meet customer needs in new and unexpected ways.  Learn More: Beth Viner: https://on.bcg.com/4193Lco BCG X: https://on.bcg.com/3WUviLQ  BCG on AI: https://on.bcg.com/42OlGpK Beth’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x92AnU6MUr0 The So What from BCG: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show10This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Cities have been struggling since the pandemic. In some—including Los Angeles and San Francisco—office high-rises have become “zombie buildings,” with vacancy rates of 50% or more. But many people still want to live in cities and be part of a vibrant community. BCG’s Santiago Ferrer explores how new forms of transit, from modular pods to self-driving cars, can help reinvigorate moribund downtowns by making them easier to reach and navigate. As part of this transformation, cities will find innovative uses for zombie buildings, turning them into everything from residential units to community art hubs. Learn More: Santiago Ferrer: https://on.bcg.com/4iXe2Po Accelerating the Shift to Sustainable Transport: https://on.bcg.com/3Y8ScQo Cities of the Future: https://on.bcg.com/43Ttw2f BCG’s Latest Thinking on Public Sector: https://on.bcg.com/4le9qWn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Even the most nimble and successful companies are sometimes forced to replace huge swaths of their workforce when business strategy changes. But layoffs come with costs: hiring and firing workers is expensive. Letting workers go can also damage an institution’s reputation and demoralize the employees who remain. BCG’s Kevin Kelley explains how companies can reduce the need for layoffs by creating teams that are flexible enough to pivot as priorities shift. The key is to avoid turning teams into silos that know how to do only one thing and thus become obsolete when priorities change. Learn More: Kevin Kelley: https://on.bcg.com/4kSmNLN Resetting the Organization to Improve Cost and Enhance Effectiveness: https://on.bcg.com/3ReXxla BCG’s Latest Thinking on Cost Excellence: https://on.bcg.com/4irJBjB BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/43Mo2WI BCG on Organization Design: https://on.bcg.com/4krU0gW This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp