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...

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....

How will advances in sustainable materials and modular construction change how homes are designed and built? And how will these innovations address the urgent need for affordable housing? BCG’s Matthias Tauber suggests ways to solve the housing crisis through changes in design, manufacturing, materials, permitting, and financing. Homes of the future will provide more alternatives, often by reimagining shared spaces and resources in flexible ways that allow for custom designs. The one...

Imagine walking into an AI-enabled grocery store that knows what you eat, how fit you are, and other personal health data, and can steer you towards healthier choices - and give you discounts on them. BCG’s John Paschkewitz explores a world where governments, insurance companies, and grocery and pharmacy chains join forces to individualize and subsidize products that are better for your health.  We could lead healthier lives, save money, and make environmentally sustainable choices. But we...

What will it be like to apply for permits, pay taxes, and more when governments embrace artificial intelligence and everyone has a secure digital ID? BCG’s Miguel Carrasco imagines a future where the government moves beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar to bespoke digital assistants that anticipate and streamline everything you need. This could eliminate chronic complaints about government services—that they are slow and cumbersome and don’t facilitate business development. But Miguel also...

What becomes possible when your AI-enabled headset is as light and comfortable as an ordinary pair of glasses? BCG’s Kristi Woolsey imagines a world with an AI third eye, where your glasses can instantly provide information, warnings or advice. This new generation of smart glasses could also help you learn new skills, whether cooking at home or mastering technical aspects of your job. But Woolsey also warns that we’ll need to put limits on the technology– these new glasses might also be able...

What would you do with access to a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites that can provide real-time access to data and surveillance and seamless connectivity? BCG’s Troy Thomas imagines a future where businesses use satellites to guide autonomous vehicles or use satellites to research and manufacture new materials that can be formed only in zero gravity. But, Thomas says, these satellites come with risks, such as privacy and security, heightened cyber risk, the proliferation of space...

When Mario Rodriguez emigrated from Cuba to the United States at age 14 with his parents — a university professor, and a teacher turned electrical engineer — they had already instilled in him the value of education and a love of learning. That passion has guided him throughout his career — as a program manager with Microsoft; then as part of GitHub, following Microsoft’s 2018 acquisition of the developer platform; and as a cofounder of a charter school in North Carolina. Now, as senior vice...

By 2030, the best CIO might be a CIB: a chief intelligence bot. And the human CEO might be bolstered by a swarm of CEO bots, able to harness a vast diversity of perspectives. Can you imagine? In this episode, BCG’s Mickey McManus envisions a future where top leaders share the corner office with AI—blending the logical with human intuition. Mickey, a BCG senior advisor and a pioneer in human-centered design, considers how a company like this would function. Hint: he recommends an approach much...

In this special episode, we’re taking you back to Season 1 for Andrea Gallego’s conversation with Alaina Percival, co-founder and then CEO of Women Who Code—the largest and most active community for technical women worldwide.  Alaina shares her career path; she’s run niche products for Puma in Germany, led developer outreach for a technical recruiting company in San Francisco, and taught herself to code.  As the CEO of Women Who Code, she works to inspire women to thrive in the tech...

Some argue that self-generating software will be a revolutionary development for businesses, others contend that it may be unwieldy.  BCG’s Vladimir Lukic believes that it will be a playful thought partner for business leaders to steer and sanity-check. It will make nimble exploration and innovation possible so that every company can have the bespoke and custom programs it needs. What should leaders do until the unknown point in the future when self-writing software is a reality?       Learn...

What would you do with access to a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites that can provide real-time access to data and surveillance and seamless connectivity? BCG’s Troy Thomas imagines a future where businesses use satellites to guide autonomous vehicles or use satellites to research and manufacture new materials that can be formed only in zero gravity. But, Thomas says, these satellites come with risks, such as privacy and security, heightened cyber risk, the proliferation of space...

What will it be like to shop when technology has evolved to essentially eliminate the cost of home delivery? BCG’s Brad Loftus imagines a future where sensors in our homes know what needs replenishing and items are delivered from warehouses without ever being touched by human hands. These innovations will change everything about the retail experience, including the elimination, or radical redesign, of many brick-and-mortar stores. Yet, Brad contends, this future could result in a more...

Will a coming generation of AI bots be able to generate and iterate ideas as well as or better than people? Will knowledge workers be replaced by machines? BCG’s Matthew Sinclair imagines a future where technology could replace writers, software engineers, and, yes, consultants–although he’s not convinced that businesses should lose the human touch. There are inherent risks in handing over the most creative elements of your business to bots–including perpetuating what Matthew calls “the...

Listen to BCG's brand new podcast! Join BCG AI conversational agent GENE and editor in chief Paul Michelman as they discuss the ideas that GENE has identified as the BCG insights most relevant for CEOs this month. In May, GENE wants to make sure you are up to speed on the value of transforming before performance stalls, an unexpected opportunity to realign your organization around purpose, and the critical intersection of AI and water management—and what you can do about it.  LEARN...

How should business leaders prepare to do business in a new new world order? BCG’s Nikolaus Lang prepares executives to completely rethink trade in a multipolar future, in which they must navigate different geopolitical, social, and environmental considerations. Finding the least expensive place to manufacture a product to sell to customers across the globe won’t work anymore. Instead, companies will have to operate within new trade blocs. Organization structure, supply chains, customer...

Peering into the future, BCG’s Judith Wallenstein paints a picture of organizational leadership upended by AI, global volatility, and blurring boundaries between companies that work together. She muses that the chief executive officer role may morph into a chief ecosystem orchestrator role and demand leadership traits and backgrounds far different than we see today. How would top executives deploy influence, foster trusting relationships, and welcome and accept challenges that enhance...

Middle management. Senior leaders say it’s a sticking point; individual contributors say it’s not meeting needs; middle managers themselves say the role is a source of burnout. Julia Dhar, founder and leader of BCG’s Behavioral Science Lab, imagines a future in which AI takes over aspects of middle management. Among the most beneficial outcomes: companies keep their employees doing what they do best and senior leaders communicate their vision directly to the frontline.  Help Us Imagine the...

Some argue that self-generating software will be a revolutionary development for businesses, others contend that it may be unwieldy.  BCG’s Vladimir Lukic believes that it will be a playful thought partner for business leaders to steer and sanity-check. It will make nimble exploration and innovation possible so that every company can have the bespoke and custom programs it needs. What should leaders do until the unknown point in the future when self-writing software is a reality?   Help Us...

Some worry that AI will eliminate jobs. But what if we found ourselves in 2030 with 50% more job openings than people to fill them? BCG’s Debbie Lovich imagines a world where top companies must wow workers—or risk losing essential talent (and profits) to competitors. How would CEOs extend their companies’ customer-facing strengths to attract the best of the talent pool? By deploying deep research, segmentation, and personalization to create the kind of workplace that talent buys into. Those...

By 2030, the best CIO might be a CIB: a chief intelligence bot. And the human CEO might be bolstered by a swarm of CEO bots, able to harness a vast diversity of perspectives. Can you imagine? In this episode, BCG’s Mickey McManus envisions a future where top leaders share the corner office with AI—blending the logical with human intuition. Mickey, a BCG senior advisor and a pioneer in human-centered design, considers how a company like this would function. Hint: he recommends an approach much...

What would you have done differently if you had anticipated the likelihood of a global pandemic or the explosion of generative AI? Spend time with BCG’s editor in chief, our conversational AI agent GENE, and BCG experts as they focus on what could lie ahead for our world—and how you should prepare your business today This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy