UPCOMING CONVERSATIONS

Political polarization has invaded the workplace, costing billions in lost productivity and broken teams. But what if the very technology dividing us could be reengineered to bring us back together? In this Forecast, Van Jones explores the intersection of politics, corporate culture, and prosocial AI. From real-time culture monitoring to AI-driven empathy tools, he’ll share stories and strategies from the frontlines of a movement that believes technology can help us reconnect—before it’s too late.

He’ll explore:
• The hidden economic costs of division
• How companies are using AI to detect and prevent toxic culture
• The growing field of “prosocial tech”
• Why emotional intelligence may be the future of business
• Whether technology can make us more human—or less

In a world where artificial intelligence democratizes expertise, businesses are faced with a profound challenge: How do you stay competitive when what once set you apart is now widely accessible? Professor Karim Lakhani, co-founder of the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard, will join us to explore this transformative question.

Drawing insights from the Harvard Business Review article, "Strategy in an Era of Abundant Expertise," Professor Lakhani will delve into the twin forces shaping today’s competitive landscape: the exponential growth of expertise and the rapidly decreasing cost of accessing it. From AI copilots reshaping workflows to platforms enabling startups to compete with industry giants, he will unpack how these shifts are redefining competitive advantage and forcing companies to reconsider the scope of their operations.

Through compelling case studies—including how AI assistants are transforming industries like biotech, e-commerce, and professional services—this session offers actionable frameworks for organizations to identify their "core moats" and realign their strategies for an AI-driven future. Join us for a provocative discussion on the future of strategy, where adaptation isn’t optional—it’s existential.

Gartner Fellow Mark McDonald brings 30 years of enterprise technology research to help leaders understand what he calls the Intelligence Supercycle, a seismic shift driven by AI, autonomous systems, and converging technologies that will redefine enterprise value over the next two decades.

While AI adoption is exploding, most companies remain stuck optimizing outdated digital processes. McDonald argues that this is no longer enough. The real opportunity lies in rebuilding strategy for an intelligence-native economy, one where speed, scale, and decision-making are radically transformed. Drawing on Gartner’s research and past supercycles, he offers actionable frameworks to help leaders distinguish between tech that merely extends the digital era and tech that defines the next one.

This isn’t about efficiency, it’s about rethinking the foundations of how organizations operate, compete, and grow.

As always, the conversation will be driven by the community, but some of the topics open for discussion include:
• How should technology leaders plan for a 20-year cycle when quarterly pressures dominate decision-making?
• Which organizations will emerge as the unexpected winners—and what early indicators should boards monitor?
• What are the hidden pitfalls that could derail even well-funded AI initiatives?
• How do you recognize the inflection point between optimizing current processes and building for the next paradigm?

“I find social media to be a soul-sucking void of meaningless affirmation.” - Wednesday Addams

In an era where artificial intelligence and online distribution accelerate, democratize, and expand the reach of content creation, how do master storytellers thrive? In this Forecast, we will feature Kayla Alpert, the visionary executive producer behind one of Netflix's most culturally defining series.

Wednesday didn't just break records—it spent 20 weeks on the Global Top 10 and reached the Top 10 in 93 countries with 252.10 million views, becoming a cultural phenomenon that redefined how gothic storytelling resonates with global audiences. Working alongside legendary director Tim Burton and starring Jenna Ortega, Alpert helped craft a series that seamlessly blended classic horror sensibilities with contemporary themes to widespread acclaim.

With over two decades of experience producing acclaimed television including Ally McBeal, Code Black, and Up All Night, Alpert brings a unique perspective on how AI is transforming not just the tools of storytelling, but the very nature of creative collaboration. As entertainment executives grapple with AI's role in scriptwriting, character development, visual creation, and audience engagement, few leaders have navigated these waters with Alpert's combination of creative instinct and technological savvy.

Join us with your questions around what defines true creativity where imagination meets artificial intelligence and the future of the entertainment industry.