Panel Discussion Event

Navigating Economic Turbulence: Strategies for Organisation in a Changing Landscape

The current economic environment presents numerous challenges for organizations across several industries. To thrive and succeed in this dynamic landscape, it is crucial for enterprises to adapt and implement effective strategies. 

On Thursday February 8th, the INSEAD Alumni Sweden organized an event featuring the esteemed Professor of Economics at INSEAD, Antonio Fatas Ph.D. Alongside industry leaders, Professor Fatas shared valuable insights and engaged in discussions on the intricacies of economic turbulence, its impact on organizations, and provided practical experiences for successfully navigating these challenges. 

The event was hosted by the largest Nordic law firm Schjødt in central Stockholm.  

Professor Antonio Fatas Ph.D delved into likely scenarios regarding finance, trade and geopolitics. Industry leaders such as Jaan Jaanimägi, Head of High Risk Workout at Nordea, shed light on Nordic trends, types of companies facing distress and drew comparisons with previous crises. Diego Bergheim, a member of the Finance team at Schjødt, shared insights on Corporate Governance and highlighted common pitfalls companies may encounter. Anders Kjellberg, Managing Partner at Implement Consulting Group, provided valuable perspectives on company strategies and resilience tactics in the evolving business landscape. The event was moderated by Liselotte Engstam, a Professional Board Member.   

Following the presentation, approximately 50 participants, including members of the INSEAD Alumni Association Sweden, mingled and discussed the topics further. 

The Board of the Swedish INSEAD Alumni Association extends its sincere gratitude to the presenters, our host, as well as all participants for their active engagement and contribution to the event’s success.

Global INSEAD Day 2023

Global INSEAD Day 2023

On September 12th, 2023, the Swedish INSEAD Alumni Association hosted an unforgettable gathering to celebrate the Global INSEAD Day. INSEAD alumni from across the globe reunited at the breathtaking rooftop bar, “Stockholm Under Stjärnorna,” located 50 meters above the heart of central Stockholm. This delightful evening provided a perfect opportunity for alumni to reconnect, reminisce, and toast to the remarkable impact that INSEAD has had on their lives and achievements.

Here is a photo taken during the event: Förhandsvisning av bild

About the INSEAD Alumni Association Sweden:
About our Members:
We like to make sure that members and others know who we are in the INSEAD Sweden Network.
To all of our Members – go ahead and share your story! Here is the guide:https://blogs.insead.edu/sweden-iaa/member_intro/
Read about some of our other members:

Alfonso Paradinas (previous INSEAD Sweden President): https://blogs.insead.edu/sweden-iaa/2021/06/

Generative AI and ChatGPT with Aniket Shende

Generative AI and ChatGPT with Aniket Shende.

In May 2023, the Swedish INSEAD Alumni Association hosted their Annual General Meeting (AGM), featuring a presentation on Generative AI and ChatGPT, delivered by Aniket Shende. The following blog post has been authored by Liselotte Engstam, Board Member of the Swedish INSEAD Alumni Association.
About Aniket Shende:

Aniket Shende graduated with an MBA from INSEAD in 2019. He currently serves as the Digital & Business Transformation Manager at Ericsson, where he plays a pivotal role in supporting the Strategy and Digital Transformation Leads in managing the enterprise-wide transformation portfolio. Aniket is an experienced strategy consultant with a background encompassing Accenture, Schlumberger, and research assistance roles. Throughout his career, he has been managing multi year digital transformations like Data and AI Factory Scaling, Agile and SAFe transformations, Cloud Strategy, Automation and modern workplace solutions for Nordic and American companies in different roles like product owner, scrum master, data scientist, cloud engineer, business analyst and strategy manager.

Aniket holds certifications as a Microsoft Azure Solution Architect and AI Associate Engineer, as well as a Yellow Belt in Six Sigma. He is renowned for his ability to forge ecosystems by collaborating with CSPs, small and large ISVs, and innovative startups, all in the pursuit of creating holistic value. His approach extends beyond financial KPIs, encompassing areas like ESG, D&I, Corporate Governance, and Change Management priorities.

 

About the speech:

We have made a summary of the content of the speech below.

There was some audio challenges during the recording, but it can still be enjoyed in its majority here: https://www.youtube.com/live/4YxlgCuMZZ0?si=VmipeRU9xxHNndm4&t=354

Summary of the speech: 

Evolution of Generative AI 05:50

Generative AI has evolved over the years, with its roots dating back to the creation of neural networks. Researchers realized that using two neural networks in a system, known as adversarial generative networks, could significantly enhance the accuracy and performance of AI models. These networks engage in a game of improving each other’s abilities, leading to better results. OpenAI capitalized on this approach, training models on vast amounts of text data from the web, resulting in the foundation of large language models like GPT.

Foundation Models and their Capabilities 11:19

The concept of foundation models lies at the core of generative AI. These models, like GPT, have pre-trained on massive amounts of data, including books, articles, and websites. This pre-training enables them to understand complex relationships in language and generate human-like responses. While they can excel in tasks like writing Shakespearean novels or composing poems, it’s important to note that these models are probabilistic and rely on patterns learned from existing data. They can’t create entirely original content beyond their training data.

Advancements in Natural Language Processing 16:18

The advancements in generative AI, particularly in natural language processing, have significantly expanded its applications. While early AI models were proficient in image processing, they lacked capabilities in text processing. Generative AI, represented by models like GPT, has bridged this gap, making strides in understanding and generating human-like text. This has led to improvements not only in various professions but also in creating new content, including articles, poems, and more, by leveraging the large language models’ ability to comprehend and mimic human language.

Value Chain and Applications 26:58

The generative AI value chain comprises infrastructure, foundation models, and applications. Established cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud dominate the infrastructure layer. Foundation models, such as GPT, can be used via APIs, but maintaining data quality and security is challenging. Startups opt to train their own models for accuracy. Applications include content writing, code generation, image processing, audio creation, and personalized content. Plugins integrate generative AI into existing businesses, while diverse use cases exist across various sectors.

Diverse Use Cases and Opportunities 32:06

Generative AI finds diverse applications across text, image, and multimedia domains. It assists in content creation, generates code, processes images, creates music, and offers personalized content. Applications extend to drug discovery, product design, and content integration. Plugins are being developed for various platforms, enabling seamless integration with services like Instacart and Coursera. While risks like hallucinations, biases, and potential hacking exist, efforts are being made to improve model transparency and ethical practices.

Risks and Ethical Considerations 36:54

Generative AI introduces risks like hallucinations, misinformation, and biases due to the vast and sometimes skewed data it learns from. The potential for hacking and malicious use is also present. Efforts to address these concerns include ethical boards, improving model transparency, and setting up guardrails against malicious use. Inherent biases in AI models and data need careful handling to ensure fair and equitable outcomes, particularly when decisions impact human well-being.

Content Creation and Personalized Learning 41:50

Generative AI offers concise and comprehensive content generation across various domains, catering to different learning styles. It can create poems, images, emails, and even personalized learning plans. The versatility extends to various educational levels and communication styles. However, challenges remain in guarding against misuse, security breaches, and biases. This technology’s rapid development requires ongoing ethical considerations and adaptation of established software security practices.

AI Tutor and Learning Process 50:58

AI chatbots function as personalized tutors, catering to different learning needs and expertise levels. They can create customized learning plans, break down complex subjects, and adapt content to different learning styles. While AI-driven learning has potential, users must adopt a unique perspective and engage actively for effective understanding. As AI models refine their outputs through iterative processes, it’s important to align expectations and remember that AI-generated content is a tool for learning rather than a substitute for genuine understanding.

Learn More:
Related Insights from INSEAD Knowledge:
About the INSEAD Alumni Association Sweden:
About our Members:
We like to make sure that members and others know who we are in the INSEAD Sweden Network.
To all of our Members – go ahead and share your story! Here is the guide:https://blogs.insead.edu/sweden-iaa/member_intro/
Read about some of our other members:

Jennifer Lipes: https://blogs.insead.edu/sweden-iaa/1575-2/

Alfonso Paradinas (previous INSEAD Sweden President): https://blogs.insead.edu/sweden-iaa/2021/06/

Sugandha Mahajan Story

Get to know Sugandha Mahajan, one of our INSEAD Sweden Alumni members.

Sugandha is a transformation-focused management consultant at McKinsey & Company, with a strong commitment to workplace diversity and personal interests in yoga and swimming.

* What has taken you to your current position? Any defining moments?
Most career trajectories are rarely linear, and my journey is no exception. From following the textbook career path to making bold pivots amidst uncertainty and lack of personal clarity, I have been fortunate to experience several industries, topics, and countries in the process. One such pivot was the decision to leave the professional, financial, and social security of my 4-year investment banking role to navigate my 55+ year old family business, which introduced me to the opportunities and challenges of a manufacturing set-up. Another defining pivot was the decision to pursue MBA at INSEAD amidst a global pandemic – a decision that eventually took me to my current position in Sweden.

* What do you do in your professional life?
I am a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, with a focus to develop and
transform heavy manufacturing industries both in Sweden and globally. Being at McKinsey is almost an extension of life at INSEAD:

  •  I solve business problems with structure, while maintaining room for innovation.
  • I have the fortune to collaborate with some of the biggest organizations in private and public sector, while helping grow organizations that will transform our future.
  • I work side-by-side with brilliant people from a variety of cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and professional histories, each bringing their dynamic perspectives and lived experiences to the fore.
  • I maintain a fast-paced lifestyle, while keeping balance and personal authenticity at the center.

* What do you think we need to develop for the future of work and in our leadership?
I believe the future of work and leadership will be strongly influenced by some of the current trends we are seeing today:

  • Sustainability: As governments and companies around the world are setting net-zero targets, there will likely be a continuing push for green businesses and enablers of decarbonization. Sweden is a fantastic case study for the world on how to build and enable an ecosystem that values sustainability at the same level as economic profits.
  • GenAI: Generative AI has substantially increased the ambition and solution space across industries. It has enabled us to expand, optimize, and re-think our approach to work, collaboration, and life. Additionally, it has also sparked discussions on regulations, policy frameworks and legal boundaries.
  • Collaboration and compassionate leadership: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world to rethink global collaboration, working models and importance of mental and physical health. While we continue to navigate power shifts in socio-political landscape, more countries and companies will emerge in the dominant trade
    space. This will likely impact the cross-border collaboration efforts we will see in the future, while building local resources. Additionally, the shift to adopting holistic and flexible working models is expected to build more human-centric companies and leadership in the future.

* Any particular pointers for books, podcasts or articles you think would be valuable for others to explore?
Two of my all-time favorite and highly recommended books are The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. I find myself going back to these books anytime I’m in transition or feeling uncertain. Currently, I’m reading Chip War by Chris Miller in an effort to understand the semi-conductor industry better.

* When you get some spare time, what do you like to do?
In my spare time, I engage in practicing yoga and swimming – two interests that I can continue to pursue irrespective of which country I’m in. I’m also passionate about cooking new cuisines and have been establishing a more plant-based diet for the last couple of years.

* What are you particularly good at, that others in the network can contact you about?
I am deeply passionate about encouraging more diversity in the workplace. Growing up in a highly diverse country like India and later living in the UK, France and Sweden, have helped me appreciate the value of multi-cultural perspectives. I’m an entrepreneur and problem-solver at heart and always up for vibrant discussions and opportunities to build, improve and sustain. I’m also a coffee and wine enthusiast and always keen on learning more on the topics.

Connect with Sugandha here

This post is part if INSEAD Sweden Alumni Membership Stories. We welcome you to share yours! Share your story – read more on how to here 

INSEAD Reunion!

35 years after having worked together in a challenging working group in Fontainebleau, Peter (Kungsbacka, Sweden) and Stephan (Basel, Switzerland) from the Dec 88 promotion met in Kungsbacka – 20 or 25 years after their last meeting (they still need to find out which reunion it actually was…)!

Since both were moving around a lot, they had lost each other’s contact details. Here, the great value of the INSEAD network of friends, including the Swedish alumni organization, was demonstrated once again.

They had a great time catching up with memories of the INSEAD days, walking along the beautiful coast line, and had it not been for too little time after the walk before dinner, and the temperatures just being one or two degrees too low, they would have had a swim in the Kattegatt behind them!

It will have to be at their next meeting in Basel Switzerland then…