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