Take on Tomorrow PwC

Supply chains are the lifelines of our global economy—quietly connecting and supporting numerous facets of business operations and everyday lives. In Take On Tomorrow’s final Series 2 episode, hosts Lizzie and Ayesha delve into the seismic shifts rattling these critical networks with Darcy MacClaren, Chief Revenue Officer for SAP Digital Supply Chain, and David Wijeratne, a partner with PwC Singapore in the International Growth Practice. Together, they reveal how geopolitical, environmental, and technological forces are creating an urgent imperative for business leaders to “de-risk” and strengthen their supply chains—while also spotlighting the opportunities that exist for those who adeptly navigate this new terrain. 

If cybercrime were a country, it would be the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China, according to the World Economic Forum. In the face of such a substantial and pervasive global challenge, generative AI is emerging as a tool to level the playing field—offering sophisticated capabilities for both cyberattackers and defenders. In this episode of Take on Tomorrow, Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Microsoft’s Chief Security Advisor in EMEA, is joined by Sean Joyce, PwC’s Global Cybersecurity and Privacy Leader. Together, they spotlight how organizations can leverage GenAI for cyber defense, where policymakers fit in, and what opportunities exist for companies that get cyber resilience right. 

In an increasingly urban world—in which 70% of the global population is predicted to reside in cities by 2050—thoughtful conversations about urban development are essential. How can cities transform to meet the needs of their ever-growing populations, without compromising the health of the planet or the well-being of their residents? In this episode, we’re joined by climatologist Angel Hsu, founder of the Data-Driven EnviroLab research group, to discuss its use of satellites as a way to measure how environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive our cities really are. We’ll also hear from Hazem Galal, Global Leader for Cities and Local Government with PwC Middle East, about smart cities and smart mobility, and what these concepts mean for the future of our urban areas.

The findings from PwC’s Global CEO Survey are out, and they reveal a fascinating dichotomy: while CEOs’ optimism about global economic growth has more than doubled year-on-year, 45% don’t think their company will survive for more than a decade on its current path—a 6% increase from last year. What’s driving CEO anxiety about the long-term viability of their business models? To what extent are global megatrends, like generative AI and climate change, prompting CEOs to make changes? And what strategies can CEOs employ to keep their organizations agile and future-ready? Join special guest host Sarah von Fischer and PwC Global Chair, Bob Moritz, for a live recording from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, as they dissect the insights from PwC’s latest survey of 4,700 CEOs around the world.

Recorded at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum—an event convening leaders from government, business, and civil society to address the state of the world—this episode looks at the escalating global demand for energy and its impact on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Special guest host Sarah von Fischer from PwC sits down with Rob Turner, Energy Transition Partner for PwC UK, and Ramya Krishnaswamy, Head of Institutional Communities and ESG Initiatives at the World Economic Forum, to discuss the importance of demand-side management to a sustainable future—plus a set of possible business actions that together have the potential to cut global energy demand by more than 30% while saving US$2 trillion per year in the process.

As the capabilities of generative AI rapidly evolve, professionals around the world are watching attentively—and wondering how the technological leap will affect their careers. There is opportunity in this moment, and also some uncertainty. How disruptive will GenAI be to the workforce? Which sectors are likely to see the biggest changes? And what should business leaders be doing now to harness the potential benefits of GenAI tools for their workers? In our latest episode, hosts Lizzie and Ayesha sit down with Jerry Kaplan, an AI expert and author, and Scott Likens, PwC’s Global AI and Innovation Technology Leader, for a conversation about the cutting edge, where GenAI is shaping the future of work.