[CXOTALK FRIDAY] Centaurs and Cyborgs: The Jagged Edge of AI Productivity

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In CXOTalk episode 820, we explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in reshaping the landscape of knowledge work. Our special guests, the primary authors of the important research paper "Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier," explore the profound effects of generative AI on professional productivity and work quality.

As we navigate the complex terrain of AI in the workplace, our discussion will focus on two crucial concepts: Centaurs and Cyborgs. These metaphors encapsulate the nuanced ways in which professional knowledge workers collaborate with AI technologies, blending the strengths of human intuition and creativity with the precision and speed of AI.

This episode not only highlights the significant productivity gains and challenges posed by AI but also examines the ethical and practical implications of this symbiotic relationship. We tackle critical questions: How does AI redefine the boundaries of human expertise? What are the best practices for professionals to harness the full potential of AI without losing the essence of human judgment?

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that cuts through the hype, offering a balanced view of generative AI's role in the future of work. Whether you're a business leader, a technology enthusiast, or a professional keen on staying ahead in the AI-driven world, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of human-machine collaboration.

Karim R. Lakhani is the Dorothy & Michael Hintze Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. He is the (co)founder of several Harvard-wide research and educational initiatives centered around the intersection of technological innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and company strategy. He is the co-founder and chair of the Digital, Data & Design (D^3) Institute at Harvard, founder and co-director of the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard, and the principal investigator of the NASA Tournament Laboratory. He is also the co-founder & co-chair of the Harvard Business Analytics Program, a university-wide online program transforming executives into data-savvy leaders.

Karim has published over 150 scholarly articles and case studies and is known for his original scholarship on open innovation and has pioneered the use of field experiments to help solve innovation-related challenges while simultaneously generating rigorous research in partnership with organizations like NASA, Harvard Catalyst, and The Broad Institute. His digital transformation research investigates the role of analytics and AI in reshaping business and operating models. He co-authored Competing in the Age of AI (2020), an award-winning book published by the Harvard Business Review Press. He has developed six online-courses that have educated thousands of executives on AI strategy, technology-driven transformation, and entrepreneurship.

François Candelon is the Global Director of the BCG Henderson Institute, Boston Consulting Group’s think tank dedicated to exploring and developing valuable new insights from business, technology, economics, and science by embracing the powerful technology of ideas. He is also a leader of BCG GAMMA’s AI@Scale effort for technology, media, and telecommunications companies. GAMMA is BCG’s data science and advanced analytics unit.

François joined BCG in 1993. He has worked in several European countries, led BCG’s global telecommunications work from 2008 to 2012, and spent seven years in China where he worked with the most advanced tech companies. His research is focused on AI and digital as a source of competitive advantage for businesses and national economies. His work has been published in several prestigious reviews (Harvard Business Review, MIT, and Sloan Management Review), and he has been a speaker in global conferences like Mobile World Congress, TED@BCG, Web Summit, Politico AI Summit, and Wuzhen Internet Conference.

Michael Krigsman is an industry analyst and publisher of CXOTalk. For three decades, he has advised enterprise technology companies on market messaging and positioning strategy. He has written over 1,000 blogs on leadership and digital transformation and created almost 1,000 video interviews with the world’s top business leaders on these topics. His work has been referenced in the media over 1,000 times and in over 50 books. He has presented and moderated panels at numerous industry events around the world.

Jan 12: Karim Lakhani (Harvard Business School) and Francois Candelon (Boston Consulting Group)

Jan 19: Joe Atkinson, Vice Chair, Chief Products and Technology Officer, PwC

Jan 26: No show

Feb 2: Satnam Singh, Global Chief Digital & Technology Officer, CBRE

Feb 9: Clara Shih, CEO, Salesforce AI

Mar 22: Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Accenture

Date TBD: Bulent Kiziltan, Global Head of AI & Computational Sciences, Novartis