McKinsey CTO Kate Smaje: AI Won't Transform Your Business. This Will.

AI is transforming business, but why do so many companies still struggle to turn it into real results?

In this episode, Philip Meissner sits down with Kate Smaje, Global Leader of Technology & AI at McKinsey, to discuss what it really takes to succeed in the age of AI. She explains why AI isn't just a technology transformation, it's a people transformation, and why the organizations pulling ahead are rethinking the way they work, lead, and make decisions.

Kate shares:

• Why most AI transformations fail to deliver lasting impact
• Why "Human Plus" is a smarter approach than AI-first thinking
• The human skills that will matter most in an AI-powered future
• How leading companies use AI to drive growth not just productivity
• The leadership mindset needed to stay ahead as AI reshapes business

If AI is changing your industry, you won't want to miss this conversation. Like, subscribe, and share if you found it valuable.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:48 Is AI Disrupting Consulting?

02:06 Human Plus, Not AI First

03:44 The End Of PowerPoint?

05:13 Why Most AI Transformations Fail

07:09 Why AI Transformation Is Different

09:39 Stop Creating AI Strategies

13:22 Balancing Short And Long Term

17:19 How Winning Companies Use AI

21:18 The Skills AI Can't Replace

23:34 Human Skills That Matter Most

27:34 EWhy Judgment Beats Prompting

28:56 The Leadership Lesson

31:06 How Kate Stays Ahead

34:27 What Makes Great Leaders

37:39 Why Kate Is Optimistic About AI

Connect with Kate Smaje:

linkedin.com/in/katesmaje

What’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future.

Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change.

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