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 rebalancing

18:32-21:28 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

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/08RH9rSjH5Y

Chapters

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

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

Chapters

00:00-02:04 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 AI

27:35-29:07 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