Strategy Summit 2026: Who’s Going to Succeed with AI?

In this final episode of the HBR Strategy Summit 2026 special series, Andy McAfee, Principal Research Scientist at MIT and co-director of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, delivers a masterclass on how organizations can succeed with AI in an era of profound uncertainty. McAfee argues that despite conflicting signals—from economists declaring AI’s productivity boom is already here to CEOs reporting no measurable ROI—organizations must act decisively. He outlines a three-part playbook: commit to AI through OKRs, adopt an agile, learning-by-doing approach over rigid planning (waterfall), and actively spread best practices from power users across the organization. Drawing on insights from venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson and the concept of 'geek organizations,' McAfee emphasizes that innovation will come from the bottom-up, not top-down planning. He also addresses critical questions about competitive advantage, the future of middle management, and the rise of AI agents, asserting that AI will amplify differences between companies rather than level the playing field. McAfee warns against 'work slop'—AI-generated content that looks good but lacks substance—and advocates for outcome-focused cultures over process-driven ones. He concludes with practical advice for leaders: distinguish between one-way and two-way doors to encourage experimentation, and rethink hiring by investing in entry-level talent to maintain an apprenticeship pipeline and cultivate future AI enthusiasts.