Where AI Works: Conversations at the Intersection of AI and Industry

The Wharton School

In a world of rapid change, staying competitive requires thoughtful transformation. Where AI Works tackles the big questions shaping AI’s role in business today, cutting through the hype to deliver actionable insights for leaders. Brought to you by the Wharton School, in collaboration with Accenture, this podcast combines cutting-edge research with real-world case studies to uncover how top companies are using AI to upskill workforces, enhance customer experiences, boost productivity, and streamline operations. By addressing the challenges of technological disruption and innovation head-on, each episode provides both the big picture context and practical strategies leaders need to drive transformation responsibly and effectively.

Episodes

  1. Work, Rewired: Rethinking Talent, Strategy, and AI

    SEP 4

    Work, Rewired: Rethinking Talent, Strategy, and AI

    It’s a daunting task: moving AI from experimentation to transformation across a massive, global organization with more than 800,000 employees. It turns out it isn’t just about optimizing tasks — it’s about rethinking roles entirely, and managing that change effectively. On this premiere episode of season three of Where AI Works, host Peter Cappelli is joined by Karalee Close, the Global Lead of Talent & Organization at Accenture, to explore what it truly takes to scale AI across a large enterprise — not just in isolated pilots, but as a driver of full organizational reinvention. Karalee shares her firsthand experience leading AI implementation on a global scale, underscoring that the real challenge isn’t technical, but cultural. She also explains how success depends on convincing leadership to embrace new ways of working, and keeping people at the center of every change, rather than treating AI as a tool for incremental improvements in existing workflows. Packed with insights and practical advice about Agentic AI in particular, this episode offers a clear look at what’s required to move beyond experimentation and generate real enterprise value.   Episode Highlights: 6:09 - Karalee pushes back against the notion that the relationship between AI and human employees has to be an adversarial one. 11:23 - Karalee explains how defining specific tasks and sequences is no longer necessary thanks to agentic AI — you only have to define the strategic intent. 18:26 - Karalee discusses the resistance Accenture has encountered in implementing AI — both internally and externally — and how to overcome it.

    25 min
  2. Host's Cut: Reflections on Season Two

    AUG 21

    Host's Cut: Reflections on Season Two

    AI is no longer a futuristic promise — it’s become a business imperative. Whether it's edge computing for real-time insights, rethinking patient care ecosystems, or rolling out generative AI to 138,000 employees, this season of Where AI Works highlights how AI is reshaping strategy, service delivery, and decision-making across the enterprise.  On this recap and review episode, host Serguei Netessine reflects on the key learnings from his conversations with Alan Lee, the CTO of Analog Devices; Elad Walach, the CEO of AIDOC; Tereza Nemenssanyi, Worldwide Director of Private Equity & Venture Capital Partnerships at Microsoft; and Ajay Anand, the Senior Vice President of Global Services, Strategy and Business Services at Johnson & Johnson. Together, they unpack how leading companies are moving beyond hype to maximize ROI across industries — from semiconductors and healthcare to global enterprises. Our guests discuss how AI is enhancing product development, reducing diagnostic errors, transforming shared services, and driving operational efficiency. It turns out technology alone isn’t enough: organizations must align AI adoption with measurable outcomes, foster a culture of experimentation, and build bridges between data scientists, business leaders, and end users to unlock true value.   Episode Highlights: 1:43 - Alan shares the “8th grade Earth science model” he uses to explain the relationship between LLMs, industrial AI, and edge-type devices. 4:25 - Elad explains why the true value of AI lies in adopting an enterprise-wide or systems-based approach, rather than a task-by-task approach. 6:05 - Tereza discusses why implementing AI should be an ecosystem play, where different startups and large companies work together to make it more useful.  7:39 - Ajay lays out the “EEE” framework (experience, effectiveness and efficiency) that Johnson & Johnson uses to track the KPIs of its AI-related efforts.

    10 min
  3. Experience, Effectiveness, Efficiency: Johnson & Johnson’s AI Journey

    AUG 7

    Experience, Effectiveness, Efficiency: Johnson & Johnson’s AI Journey

    What does it take to scale AI across a global enterprise without breaking what already works? And how do you unlock value at scale — without losing sight of people, processes, and trust? On this season finale episode of Where AI Works, host Serguei Netessine speaks with Ajay Anand, the Senior Vice President of Global Services, Strategy and Business Services at Johnson & Johnson, about how AI is transforming operations behind the scenes at the iconic global healthcare and medtech company. Together, they explore how shared services — spanning HR, finance, procurement, and more — are being reimagined through an AI-first lens, unlocking new value while improving speed, decision quality, and employee experience. They also discuss how GenAI tools like JAIDA are helping 138,000 employees navigate complex internal systems and policies, reducing friction and freeing up time for higher-value work. For business leaders navigating their own AI journeys, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where to start, how to scale, and what it takes to turn AI from a technical experiment into a strategic operating capability.   Episode Highlights: 5:12 - Ajay explains how AI is being integrated into J&J’s processes and services, with a focus on improving complex interactions for the company’s 138,000 employees. 8:18 - Ajay discusses the KPIs — the “Three E framework” — that J&J uses to assess the effectiveness of its AI implementation efforts. 17:06 - Ajay lays out his four-point strategy for other business leaders who are looking to engage with traditional, generative, or agentic AI.

    23 min
  4. From Pain Points to Productivity: Finding AI’s Real Value

    JUL 24

    From Pain Points to Productivity: Finding AI’s Real Value

    What if the real value of AI isn’t in the technology itself, but in the pain points and problems it solves for business? That’s the question at the heart of this episode of Where AI Works, which features an iconic company that’s been at the forefront of digital transformation for decades. Host Serguei Netessine is joined by Tereza Nemessanyi, Worldwide Director of Private Equity & Venture Capital Partnerships at Microsoft, to explore the varied, experimental approaches many of her clients are taking in an effort to monetize their AI offerings. As Tereza points out, AI deployment is still in its early stages, and success in this space requires a culture that supports rapid iteration, short sprints, and a willingness to explore both vertical and horizontal applications to see what sticks. She believes the biggest opportunities lie in high “cost-to-serve” areas — pain points where AI can dramatically reduce effort or complexity. In other words, AI isn’t a destination — it’s a journey, and the smartest companies are already well down the road. Talking Points: AI Is Being Embedded Into Everyday Tools: Generative AI is showing up in the software people already use—like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook—making it frictionless for users to adopt.Horizontal Applications Are Leading AI Adoption: The biggest wins are coming from general-use AI tools that cut across industries, rather than highly specialized vertical applications.GitHub Copilot Is Transforming Developer Productivity: As a standout example, Copilot is helping developers code faster and smarter, showcasing how AI can be a true productivity partner. Episode Highlights: 5:21 - Tereza lays out the three main ways in which AI is changing the value proposition for Microsoft investors, clients, and collaborators. 10:30 - Tereza shares examples of horizontal and vertical AI integration efforts, and how they can both connect to a potential ROI.  19:05 - Tereza discusses the types of blockers she's seen her clients encounter while trying to monetize AT effectively.

    25 min
  5. AI: The Operating System for Modern Healthcare

    JUL 10

    AI: The Operating System for Modern Healthcare

    It's a staggering statistic: every year in the United States, diagnostic errors in the healthcare system lead to 370,000 preventable deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities. But what if hospitals and practitioners could leverage the power of artificial intelligence to cut those numbers in half? On this episode of Where AI Works, host Serguei Netessine sits down with Elad Walach, the CEO and founder of AIDOC, which aims to set a new standard for AI-powered healthcare solutions by combining clinical logic, operational intelligence, and system-wide accountability to create an entirely new ecosystem. Their conversation offers crucial insights for other enterprise leaders who are navigating AI adoption and implementation in complex, slow-moving, or low-margin industries. It also highlights the importance of aligning AI innovation with measurable financial and clinical outcomes, rather than assuming the benefits will materialize automatically. As Elad puts it, the old saying “If you build it, they will come” is simply not true in the context of modern healthcare — you also have to prove the value of your technology and be able to extract it.   Episode Highlights: 8:23 - Elad discusses the challenge of convincing healthcare providers of the potential of AI when the user or practitioner isn’t the main beneficiary. 15:50 - Elad explains why trying to monetize AI on a per-patient basis was a “disaster” for AIDOC because there was no clear understanding of the value proposition. 19:37 - Elad looks forward to the future of AI-powered healthcare, where applications will not be disease-specific, but comprehensive and generic.

    24 min
  6. AI, Hardware, and the Future of Intelligent Systems

    JUN 26

    AI, Hardware, and the Future of Intelligent Systems

    How can artificial intelligence not just transform industries but also create real business value? On this premiere episode of season two of Where AI Works, host Serguei Netessine is joined by Alan Lee, CTO of Analog Devices Incorporated, to discuss strategies for the practical deployment and monetization of AI. They explore how AI can enhance product development and predictive maintenance while addressing challenges like power efficiency and hardware constraints. Alan also shares how AI-powered innovations can open new revenue streams and competitive advantages, turning AI from a simple buzzword into measurable business outcomes. The conversation highlights the critical role of edge computing for real-time data processing as well as the cultural collaboration needed between technologists, data scientists, and even skeptics to unlock AI’s full potential. You’ll also hear Alan’s vision for a future where machine intelligence of some sort will exist everywhere, and his advice to other business leaders about when to proceed cautiously and when to go ‘all in’ when it comes to AI. Episode Highlights: 10:13 - Alan discusses strategies for managing the cultural conflict that can arise within organizations when new technology is implemented. 14:26 - Alan shares a counterintuitive take on the tension between technologists and what he calls “AI skeptics” across different business units. 17:31 - Alan lays out his vision for the future; a world where machine intelligence of some kind will be ubiquitous and pervasive. 19:21 - Alan talks about the challenge of monetizing AI when it still hasn’t realized its full potential in helping us solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.

    25 min
  7. Host's Cut: Reflections on Season One

    JUN 12

    Host's Cut: Reflections on Season One

    What happens when AI collides with the world of marketing? A seismic shift — but only for those ready to embrace the upheaval. On this recap episode of Where AI Works, host Kartik Hosanagar reviews the four compelling conversations that made up the show’s inaugural season. Jonathan Halvorson, Global SVP of Consumer Experience at Mondelēz International, kicked things off by emphasizing the impact of AI on content creation and media spend — and the importance of preserving brand distinctiveness in an AI-driven landscape. Accenture CMO Jill Kramer shared her personal journey from AI skeptic to champion, outlining a practical roadmap for reskilling marketing teams at scale. David Droga, founder of Droga5 and CEO of Accenture Song, challenged the creative industry to embrace AI not as a replacement, but as a way to elevate originality and move beyond mediocrity. Finally, Accenture’s Chief AI Officer Lan Guan highlighted the gap between AI investment and scaled execution, and stressed the critical need for trust and governance. Together, these voices deliver a powerful message to business leaders: to harness AI's true potential, you must act boldly, intentionally, and creatively. Episode Highlights: 2:05 - Jonathan discusses the importance of embedding brand distinctiveness in any AI-generated content your company creates. 4:45 - David explains his provocative stance that not all creativity is worth saving. 6:52 - Lan spells out why trust and explainable AI are more important than ever due to the rise in agentic systems. 2:05 - Jonathan discusses the importance of embedding brand distinctiveness in any AI-generated content your company creates. 4:45 - David explains his provocative stance that not all creativity is worth saving. 6:52 - Lan spells out why trust and explainable AI are more important than ever due to the rise in agentic systems.

    9 min
  8. AI at Scale: Revolutionizing Enterprise Strategy and Growth

    MAY 29

    AI at Scale: Revolutionizing Enterprise Strategy and Growth

    Is your organization stuck on table stakes or starting to place more strategic bets when it comes to implementing AI? Are your employees still wrapping their heads around LLMs, or have they started experimenting with agentic AI? And what’s the competitive advantage you want your company to be famous for?  On this season finale episode of Where AI Works, host Kartik Hosanagar tackles those questions and more with the help of a woman who oversees more than 65,000 data and AI practitioners, and has helped her organization book more than 5.6 billion dollars worth of AI-related business in the past 18 months — Accenture’s Chief AI Officer, Lan Guan. Together, they break down the key trends shaping AI’s impact on enterprises, with Lan sharing insights from Accenture’s groundbreaking AI initiatives. You’ll hear specific examples of how AI-powered solutions are improving efficiency and automating workflows across sectors like financial services, oil and gas, and life sciences. Lan also shares her thoughts on which challenges the AI sector still needs to solve, including education, governance, and interoperability. Episode Highlights:  7:10 - Kartik and Lan discuss how companies can cope with the “problem of plenty” in the AI space; the vast array of new software solutions on offer. 12:27 - Lan explains how companies need to ensure talent and data readiness to avoid the old “garbage in, garbage out” pitfall that has plagued AI implementation efforts in the past. 17:31 - Lan shares what she sees as the three roadblocks or challenges the industry faces in deploying large scale agent based systems in organizations.

    24 min
  9. How AI Changes the Game for Creative Teams

    MAY 15

    How AI Changes the Game for Creative Teams

    It’s a controversial statement, especially coming from the founder of one of the most famous creative agencies in the world: “Not all creativity is worth saving.” But it’s with that bold declaration that this episode of Where AI Works begins. This time, host Kartik Hosanagar is joined by David Droga, founder of Droga5, and current CEO of Accenture Song, for a thoughtful and insightful discussion about AI’s transformative impact on the creativity industry. Together, they tackle the question of whether AI is becoming a critical creative partner for agencies and their clients, or if it’s potentially a threat in certain sectors. They also explore David’s belief that AI could actually be an accelerator and enabler for creatives by eliminating what he calls the ‘mediocre middle’. Listen to the very end and you’ll hear about David’s uplifting and inspirational vision for the future of creativity, and why he thinks true creatives are more relevant in more places than ever, despite the rapid pace of technological change. Episode Highlights: 9:20 - David explains why he feels not all creativity is worth saving, and how AI will “industrialize the imagination.” 13:32 - Kartik and David discuss how AI is causing business leaders to rethink roles and responsibilities within their organizations.  18:24 - David explains why he’s still bullish on creative people, but believes creative agencies need to adapt their business models.

    26 min
  10. Balancing the Algorithm: How AI Is Reshaping Marketing

    MAY 1

    Balancing the Algorithm: How AI Is Reshaping Marketing

    Where can AI have the biggest impact on business outcomes? How can you empower and encourage your employees to experiment with different use cases? What’s the potential role of agentic AI within your organization? Those are among the central questions in this episode of Where AI Works. For this wide-ranging and comprehensive conversation, host Kartik Hosanagar sits down with Accenture’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Jill Kramer, to discuss how AI is transforming marketing and how companies can adapt to these changes. Jill shares her journey from fear to embracing AI, emphasizing that curiosity and creativity are the key drivers of innovation. She also stresses the importance of “cohorts, communication, and use-cases” when upskilling and reskilling large teams, to ensure everyone is supported through the transformation. Listen to the very end and you’ll hear Jill’s most important piece of advice for any business leader who’s wrestling with the role of AI within their own organization. Episode Highlights: 5:55 - Jill details the groundwork she did to position Accenture to be ready to take advantage of Gen AI. 12:02 - Jill explains how to empower employees to try new tools and embrace AI without leaving anyone behind. 19:14 - Jill shares her “cohorts, communication, use-cases” strategy for reskilling large

    25 min
  11. The Future of Marketing: AI-Driven Content Creation

    APR 17

    The Future of Marketing: AI-Driven Content Creation

    Media, entertainment, and advertising are among the industries expected to be most impacted by the rise of artificial intelligence. So what better way to kick off our series on the intersection of AI and business than by exploring the potential perks and pitfalls of AI in the world of marketing? In this premiere episode of Where AI Works, host Kartik Hosanagar is joined by Jonathan Halvorson, the Global SVP of Consumer Experience at Mondelēz International, which owns some of the most recognizable brands in snacking, including Oreo, Nabisco, and Cadbury. Together, they discuss how AI is transforming marketing and brand strategy, and explore some of the most pressing issues for business leaders, like the role of humans in the loop, and fears that AI could lead to more generic content. You’ll also hear specific case studies and concrete advice to help your organization steer clear of what Jonathan calls that “sea of sameness.” Episode Highlights: 7:40 - Kartik explains how AI isn’t just about reducing costs but can actually lead to more compelling ad content and better outcomes. 14:23 - Jonathan stresses the importance of clearly defining a brand’s identity before utilizing AI tools, including the product’s visual elements, purpose, and core messaging. 17:14 - Jonathan shares details on a hugely successful Mondelēz campaign in India in which AI was used to generate personalized birthday songs for consumers.

    25 min

  12. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Welcome to Where AI Works

    In a world of rapid change, staying competitive requires thoughtful transformation. Where AI Works tackles the big questions shaping AI’s role in business today, cutting through the hype to deliver actionable insights for leaders. Brought to you by the Wharton School, in collaboration with Accenture, this podcast combines cutting-edge research with real-world case studies to uncover how top companies are using AI to upskill workforces, enhance customer experiences, boost productivity, and streamline operations. By addressing the challenges of technological disruption and innovation head-on, each episode provides both the big-picture context and practical strategies leaders need to drive transformation responsibly and effectively. Episode 1 launches on April 17th. Don't forget to follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast app to be notified as episodes drop!

    1 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In a world of rapid change, staying competitive requires thoughtful transformation. Where AI Works tackles the big questions shaping AI’s role in business today, cutting through the hype to deliver actionable insights for leaders. Brought to you by the Wharton School, in collaboration with Accenture, this podcast combines cutting-edge research with real-world case studies to uncover how top companies are using AI to upskill workforces, enhance customer experiences, boost productivity, and streamline operations. By addressing the challenges of technological disruption and innovation head-on, each episode provides both the big picture context and practical strategies leaders need to drive transformation responsibly and effectively.

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