In an era defined by disruptive geopolitical forces and the pervasive adoption of artificial intelligence, future-ready executives must seamlessly integrate AI into their daily operations, according to Rajiv Memani, Chairman & CEO of EY India and Chair of the EY Global Growth Markets Council.
Navigating Disruption with Resilience
Memani asserts that disruption is now the baseline for enterprises. The structural shifts driven by the AI revolution and global crises demand a fundamental pivot from efficiency-led to resilience-led business models. He stresses the importance of leveraging technology for speed and agility, advising that credible transformation must factor geopolitical volatility, technological disruption, and energy fluctuations into long-term capital allocation strategies.
Strategy, he explains, must evolve into a continuous exercise in scenario planning, where products and operations are designed for constant adaptation. Corporate leaders are tasked with building empowered teams and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation as AI permeates every aspect of business and life.
Reshaping Mid-Level Management with AI
The adoption of AI will significantly impact mid-level executives, fundamentally reshaping their professional DNA. Memani advises corporate leadership to evolve the role of these managers, repositioning them as coaches, problem-solvers, and change leaders. This shift requires robust support through skills mapping and role-adjacent reskilling initiatives.
Organisations should prioritise internal mobility and project-based opportunities over external hiring, providing clear pathways for employee growth and development within the company structure.
Preparing MBA Graduates for an AI-Driven Future
For leading business schools, Memani highlights the urgent need to accelerate AI literacy among MBA graduates. The focus should be on critical interpretation of AI-generated insights rather than mere tool proficiency. Management education must impart future-ready skills and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging comfort with uncertainty.
Students, in turn, must approach AI literacy with the same dedication as the '10,000-hour rule,' using curiosity and imagination to move beyond basic automation towards complex problem-solving. Additionally, they will need to develop the ability to resolve complexity at speed and hone essential soft skills to thrive in the evolving business landscape.