Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2025 i The European Business Review

Warren Buffet famously said, “In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” This principle equally applies to AI systems— because AI systems are not just tools. So-called “tools” are deterministic; they follow a clear path from creation to usage, through degradation and, ultimately, obsolescence. In contrast, AI, especially machine learning systems, is fundamentally different. It does not follow this trajectory, because it is not static; it learns over time through interaction with data. Systems that use techniques like reinforcement learning or deep learning continuously refine themselves based on new input, making them more akin to dynamic entities that continuously evolve. No two AI systems function identically if they are exposed to…

For many business leaders, artificial intelligence (AI) feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, they are in awe of its enormous potential and are excited about the prospect of applying it to business processes across the board. On the other hand, the excitement about leveraging AI also becomes a source of stress, as boards want leaders to adapt AI quickly, as the tech is developing rapidly, and turn it into an immediate value creator. The fear of missing out (FOMO) among companies has never been higher than today in a world where everyone is imagining that the impossible could be achieved with the use of AI. The consequence of this tense situation is that business leaders feel that, when it comes to AI, they are acting outside of their…

We have all had dealings with the Drama Queen Manager: flirtatious, mercurial, show-offs. In psychiatric terminology, they often have clinical or subclinical Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD), sometimes referred to as Dramatic Personality Disorder. The HPD term is derived from the Latin word for actor, but the original term was hysterical from the Latin root meaning uterus. This disorder is found more frequently in women. These people are attracted to “limelight” jobs and strive for attention and praise, but setbacks can easily lead to serious inner doubts and depression. Histrionics are certainly emotionally literate: they are open with all their emotions. But these emotions can change very quickly and unexpectedly. Most of us have encountered these characters at school, university or work. They tend to have a pattern of excessive attention-seeking…

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transitioning from simple automation to sophisticated autonomy, the advent of agentic AI marks a pivotal shift in the technological landscape. Agentic AI systems, characterized by their ability to make independent decisions and act autonomously without continuous human oversight, are poised to revolutionize industries and reshape the workforce. For example, Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang wants the company to grow to 100 million employees, the majority of which will be digital agents1. This is not merely a speculative vision of the future. Nvidia is already using some of these digital employees to design chips and develop software. Elsewhere, AI agents are also employed by AT&T to detect fraud and optimize network usage2 and by The Ottawa Hospital to improve patient experience and reduce…

In the realm of artificial intelligence, generative AI (“gen AI”) opens up a range of previously unimaginable possibilities, guiding organizations toward a future filled with innovative solutions to complex problems. However, the unprecedented pace of adoption and fears of unintended harm have intensified the discourse on responsible AI. With regulators stepping up efforts to regulate the development and use of generative AI through legislation such as the EU AI Act, organizations, large or small, need to focus on responsible AI now.1 Businesses, however, have much catching up to do. Asked, “Do you know where AI is being used within your organization?”, “Do you understand the risks you are exposed to and how to manage them?”, and, “Who is the accountable leader?”, many CEOs today answer “No” to the first question,…

FEDERAL INDICTMENT Defense Arguments The defense arguments were typical of those raised by senior executives when charged with violations of law, namely, “I didn’t know because I left it to my underlings to manage the company” (notwithstanding they received many millions in salary and benefits); “I acted in good faith to benefit the company and shareholders”; and other related arguments. Their successful use at trials led to provisions in both the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Congress, 2002) and the Dodd-Frank Act (United States Congress, 2010 Jul 21) which imposed mandatory personal knowledge requirements upon CEOs, CFOs, and other comparable persons holding major positions in public companies. The Acts mandated that the said senior corporate officials to both sign sworn statements that they have personally assured the accuracy of audit numbers and that…

The Pipeline has dedicated 12 years to sharing expertise in gender and championing gender diversity in the workplace. Through its work with hundreds of women in over 130 businesses, continued research reviews, and data gathered from its programmes, it has gained deep insights into how organisations can create and drive real change. Since 2017, The Pipeline’s annual report, Women Count, has analysed gender dynamics within executive committees of FTSE350 companies. Alarmingly, the Women Count 2024 Report revealed a regression: female representation on FTSE350 executive committees has declined for the first time since 2016. Critically, progress has reversed. ALARMING REVERSAL OF PROGRESS Currently, women account for just 32% of executive committees, a drop from 33%. Although this decrease may seem marginal, it represents a significant turning point. At this rate, gender…

We have been so blinded by stories of AI making us more productive, effective, efficient at work that we have completely missed the bigger disruption that AI is already having: the ability to be “human” at work. It is difficult to have any conversation at the moment without someone mentioning ChatGPT, AI, and large language models (LLMs). It is simply everywhere and is becoming engrained in how we operate; 93 per cent of Gen Z workers admit to using AI every day as a part of their jobs (Independent article from November 2024). But LLMs are not just tools or algorithms that help us answer emails in a softer tone; they are conversational actors, capable of mimicking human qualities like personality and empathy. Yet we remain somewhat oblivious to the…

Companies need digital technologies in an omni-channel buying world where online and in-person interactions are complements, not either / or substitutes. Multi-channel hybrid sales solutions are required, but what are the key requirements for using the available technology for competitive advantage? What options does digital technology offer us in order to gain competitive advantage in hybrid sales channels? Based on work with companies, we see lessons from dealing with a humble but pervasive retail outlet: convenience stores and small eating / drinking venues. In the United States, 8 out of 10 people visit weekly one or more of 150,000 convenience stores, 65 per cent of which are independent and not part of a chain such as 7-Eleven or Circle K. The U.S. has one such outlet for every 2,200 people,…

In the evolving landscape of technological progress, we must prioritize empathy, balance, and inclusiveness, understanding that work is about more than productivity; it’s about nurturing well-being and fostering genuine connections. By focusing on compassion, we can create a work environment that not only adapts to the future but truly enhances the quality of life for every worker. Together, let’s envision a workplace where every person feels valued, supported, and inspired to thrive. Over the past several years, I have embarked on a profound journey to investigate the evolving landscape of the future of work1. This endeavor is not merely an academic pursuit; it is a passionate exploration into possibilities that will shape the lives of generations to come. Envisioning the future is undeniably complex and, yes, it carries significant risk;…

Women entrepreneurs are deeply confident in their own abilities and goals, as we have revealed through new research from CARE’s Strive Women program.1 They are strategically expanding their client bases, building supplier networks, and making critical business decisions. In fact, 96 per cent of women entrepreneurs surveyed across Peru, Pakistan, and Vietnam described being confident in their ability to manage and run their operations, while 87 per cent expressed ambitions to grow their businesses. These high levels of confidence reported by women entrepreneurs point to significant economic potential. Research indicates that confidence directly improves business outcomes and profitability.2 Yet, without the systems and market actors to support them, women entrepreneurs remain blocked from their full potential. And this gap is costly; by some estimates, providing equal business opportunities to women…