Redesigning Processes for the Age of AI Agents with Tom Davenport

AI is here—but are businesses truly ready to harness its full potential? In this episode of Data Radicals, host Satyen Sangani sits down with Tom Davenport to explore what it takes for AI to create real business value. As one of the most respected voices in AI and analytics, Tom brings decades of expertise to the table. From agentic AI to AI-driven leadership, this conversation covers the pressing challenges—and opportunities—that will shape the next era of business transformation. What You'll Learn in This Episode: 🔹 Agentic AI is still in its infancy – AI agents can act autonomously, but most businesses are only using them for simple, low-stakes tasks. Scaling their use requires overcoming reliability challenges. 🔹 AI alone won’t drive value—process redesign is critical – Businesses can’t just add AI to existing workflows and expect results. As Tom puts it, "Economic value requires that we change the way we do our work. And there has to be some intentional design activity. It can't just evolve." 🔹 The C-suite is overcrowded—AI leadership must evolve – With CIOs, CDOs, CTOs, and more, organizations often suffer from fragmented leadership. Tom argues for business-driven executives who can oversee AI, data, and digital strategy holistically. AI is transforming industries, but the organizations that truly succeed will be those that rethink their leadership, workflows, and data strategies. Whether you're a CDO, CIO, or data professional, this episode offers actionable insights from one of the most influential thinkers in AI and analytics.