think ahead Podcast Series

How can you navigate the now and be prepared for what’s next? Listen in each month as we convene a panel of London Business School thought leaders and distinguished guests to debate and discuss a hot topic in the business world and beyond. Fresh perspectives on what matters most, brought to you by Think at London Business School.

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think ahead: How can AI be the answer to our environment crisis?

In this episode of the think ahead podcast, we look at how AI can be part of the solution to the global environment crisis. Julian Birkinshaw and Jean Pauphilet discuss the ways in which AI has the potential to be a central component of the solutions to reduce our environmental footprint. The discussion explores how AI tools are being applied to cleaning up plastic from the oceans, weather forecasting, industrial processing, decreasing carbon emissions and using satellite data to find the answers and pathways to meet environmental challenges.

think ahead: Navigating the ESG investment landscape and business accountability

In this episode of the think ahead podcast, Julian Birkinshaw and Ioannis Ioannu address key questions around ESG and sustainability. They discuss investing in ESG funds and the potential benefits and downfalls this entails as well as shareholder activism, investor motivation and how asset managers can impact change. They also discuss business accountability through the lens of people, planet and profit, navigating the tradeoffs by “doing the right thing” - including the role of business schools in driving change.

think ahead: How can business and society take advantage of AI opportunities?

In this episode of the think ahead podcast, Julian Birkinshaw and Michael Jacobides discuss some of the many questions that were raised by our audience at our recent think ahead event on The Business Implications of AI. They answer questions about generative AI and the phenomenon that is ChatGPT, looking at how this is driving efficiencies for both individuals and businesses. They also explore the need for regulation to help keep AI to the guardrails, together with the importance of skills augmentation to avoid the threat of substitution. 

think ahead: Issues and uncertainties in the global economy

How can businesses deal with the challenges and opportunities facing them from global economic pressures and uncertainties? This was one of the questions discussed at a recent LBS event by a panel of LBS faculty that included Professor Richard Portes, Professor Lucrezia Reichlin, Professor Jérémie Gallien, and Professor Nicos Savva. The panel explored the multiple inter-connected pressures on the global economy - from war and climate change to inflation and supply chain disruption, looking at how these issues could impact the outlook for business. The discussion was moderated by Eshe Nelson, Business and Economics Reporter at The New York Times. The podcast is introduced by Julian Birkinshaw, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Vice-Dean at London Business School.

think ahead: Breakthrough growth and how to achieve it

What is breakthrough growth and what are the secrets to achieving it? Julian Birkinshaw, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Vice Dean at London Business School and Helen Edwards, Adjunct Associate Professor of Marketing, discuss what it means, how to achieve it and the pitfalls to avoid.

Julian and Helen introduce a detailed discussion on the topic, which was recently held at LBS, in which they were joined by Linda Yueh, Adjunct Professor of Economics, Chris McCarthy of Johnson & Johnson Medtech EMEA and moderated by James Hurley, Assistant Business Editor of The Times.

think ahead: Breaking barriers - Female entrepreneurs, navigating obstacles and paving the pathway to success

This episode of the think ahead podcast series explores the issues that women continue to face in achieving success as entrepreneurs and looks at how these barriers can be overcome. Julian Birkinshaw, Olenka Kacperczyk and Rupal Patel discuss the obstacles facing female entrepreneurs as they strive to run successful business.