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

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg-4409188/ai-profit-not-pilots-lessons-from-tech-media-and-telecom.md
Podcast: [The So What from BCG](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg-4409188)
Published: 2026-03-10T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://the-so-what-from-bcg.captivate.fm/episode/ai-profit-not-pilots-lessons-from-tech-media-and-telecom
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/97c02d29-ae9c-4315-a186-8e187bcd54cb.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1108

## Resource

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, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/val-elbert As AI Investments Surge, CEOs Take the Lead, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead Turning AI Disruption into a Telco's Growth Engine, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/turning-ai-disruption-into-telcos-growth-engine Driving Growth and Innovation at Verizon Consumer Group, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/driving-growth-innovation-leading-telco 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 a…

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