.IASI
Spring season 2025

What to Expect:

💡 Exploration of AI Integration: Learn how organizations can leverage AI tools to enhance operational agility and gain a competitive edge.

🌐 Strategies for Navigating Complexity: Discover practical methods to adapt and thrive in uncertain and dynamic environments.

🚀 Harnessing Digital Tools: Insights into streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and fostering innovation through digital transformation.

⚙️ Operational Agility for Success: Understand how flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement can drive organizational resilience and adaptability.

🏆 Competitive Advantage Through Technology: Explore how emerging technologies can transform business strategies and customer experiences for long-term growth.

This event is perfect for technology managers, HR professionals, and business leaders seeking actionable strategies to embrace digital transformation and build resilient organizations.

What actually happened

💡

Here’s a concise summary of the main insights and actionable strategies for tech managers and leaders.

How Did We Get Here?

• Technology adoption has always been a constant, but perceptions have shifted: from technology as a status symbol to a tool for convenience, connection, and now, purpose.

• Automation and AI are accelerating workplace changes. OECD data shows that while predictions about automation’s impact on jobs have varied, the trend is clear—roles are evolving, not disappearing1.

Understanding VUCA and the Leadership Response

• VUCA describes today’s business environment: volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.

• The antidote: Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility. Leaders must foster adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset to thrive.

Skills for the Future

• By 2030, technical skills alone won’t guarantee success. Emerging core skills include:

  • AI and big data literacy

  • Networks and cybersecurity

  • Creative thinking, curiosity, and lifelong learning

  • Talent management and leadership

  • Empathy, resilience, and adaptability1

• Traditional programming is becoming less central; instead, systems thinking, user experience, and analytical abilities are increasingly important.

AI at Work: Adoption and Best Practices

• 70% of employees use AI at work, though half do not openly declare it. Men are 24% more likely to use AI in their jobs.

• 27% of current jobs are at risk from AI, but the focus should be on reskilling and redeploying talent.

• Best practice examples:

  • IKEA: Automated customer service, reskilled staff for AI-assisted design support, generating $1B in new revenue.

  • Microsoft: Automated 90% of sales/support, upskilled 60,000+ employees for digital consulting roles, driving company value1.

Strategies for IT Companies

• Diversify through:

  • Strategic consulting and solution design

  • Proprietary product/platform development

  • AI-augmented development

  • EdTech and green tech initiatives

  • Internal mobility and innovation incubators1

What Does Human Leadership Mean in a Digital World?

• Influence over management: Build relationships, communicate with empathy, and inspire by example.

• Digital fluency: Understand technology’s potential and ask the right questions, even without coding skills.

• Invest in people: Agile, continuously developing teams are the key differentiator1.

Emerging Technologies and Industry Impact

• Trends like AI, bioengineering, advanced computing, AR/VR, green tech, and quantum computing will impact industries at different paces.

• Leaders must track these trends and align reskilling efforts accordingly.

Reskilling Roadmap for Tech Managers

1. Research: Stay informed about global tech trends.

2. Analysis: Identify future-relevant skills for your desired roles.

3. Design: Select targeted courses and certifications.

4. Construct: Create a two-year career development plan.

5. Go Get It: Maintain a continuous learning rhythm in new roles.

Conclusion
Digital transformation in a VUCA world demands adaptive leadership, a focus on human-centric skills, and a proactive approach to AI integration. The future belongs to those who combine technological insight with empathy, agility, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

For more information and upcoming events, connect with Irina Butnaru and the DER Center team.