AI Profit, Not Pilots: Lessons from Tech, Media and Telecom

AI is no longer a technology experiment—it’s a business imperative. Val Elbert, a member of BCG’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice, explains why CEOs must shift from AI pilots to profit, demand quarterly results from all AI initiatives, and lead cross-functional AI transformations that deliver real bottom-line impact. The winners will scale fast. The rest will be left explaining themselves to investors. Learn More Val Elbert, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner, As AI Investments Surge, CEOs Take the Lead, Turning AI Disruption into a Telco's Growth Engine, Driving Growth and Innovation at Verizon Consumer Group, Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Where TMT companies stand on AI adoption 02:32 The boardroom shift from AI pilots to scale 03:11 Building AI into business agendas 03:49 AI adoption patterns across industries 0 4:37 Leaders need to see quarterly results 05:22 Why AI can't run as a three-year program 05:59 What separates AI winners 07:22 Why structure needs to change 07:52 Where friction blocks AI value creation 09:19 How to focus amid technology noise 10:00 The mindset shift to move from AI pilots to P&L 10:30 What scaling AI in telecom looks like 12:08 The role of humans in an AI-driven operating model 13:28 What the next 18 months will look like 13:55 Will AI drive mergers? 15:10 Is It harder for legacy companies to compete in AI? 15:36 How AI-driven change will impact consumers 16:44 If you're stuck in the pilot phase 17:45 Physical AI at MWC Barcelona 18:11 Outro

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AI Profit, Not Pilots: Lessons from Tech, Media and Telecom is an episode from The So What from BCG by Boston Consulting Group BCG.

This episode is 18:28 long.

This episode was published on Mar 10, 2026.

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