AI, geoeconomics, and the future of work take center stage at the Esade Alumni International Gathering in London
In a world shaped by artificial intelligence, geopolitical disputes, and new ways of working, leaders need to combine human decision-making, geopolitical awareness, trust, and adaptability. This was one of the main messages of the Esade Alumni International Gathering held in London, where participants reflected on how technological disruption, geoeconomics, and the future of work are reshaping leadership, business strategy, and the role of business education.
Hosted at the St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection, the event brought together nearly 150 alumni and business leaders, with the participation of Esade’s director general, Daniel Traça; Esade Alumni president, Jorge Alcover; and Esade Alumni international director, Olaya García-Lancha. It focused on three key challenges for business and business schools: dealing with the new geoeconomic context, placing human decision-making at the heart of AI transformation, and developing new forms of leadership and collaboration.
“In a world that seems to be moving towards less social, economic, political, and individual freedom, at Esade we need to double down on what we stand for: openness and freedom for companies, individuals, and society,” said Daniel Traça. He framed this commitment as part of Esade’s mission, values, and meaningful impact: strengthening its role as a technology-focused business school, helping leaders understand and anticipate geopolitical trends, supporting critical and creative thinking in the age of AI, and attracting talent that shares Esade’s values and believes in the possibility of a better world.
A new geoeconomic and geopolitical scenario for leaders and companies
In a year marked by tariffs, trade tensions, and geopolitical uncertainty, the environment in which business leaders make decisions has changed. Companies are being forced to rethink their strategies, adapt to a more complex global landscape, and incorporate geopolitical analysis into business decision-making.
This was one of the main ideas discussed during the panel “Borders, Powers, and Markets”, moderated by Jorge Galindo, director of EsadeEcPol, and including Carsten Nickel, managing director at Teneo, and Thomas Gratowski, director of the BCG Center for Geopolitics. “I see a massive shift from political risk advice towards strategies and techniques such as scenario planning,” said Nickel.
“These questions have reached the CEO level, with companies actively linking geopolitical events back to their operational baseline assumptions, while stress and assumption testing.” Gratowski agreed that geopolitics has moved beyond the risk function and has become a central factor in corporate strategy. “For companies to be successful in a much more uncertain and turbulent world, geopolitical factors must be considered,” he said. Galindo added that business leaders are already waking up to the realization that geoeconomics and political dynamics are part of the core strategic decisions they need to make. “It’s a slow wake-up, but it is unavoidable,” he declared.
Human decision-making at the heart of AI transformation
Omar Puertas, Esade professor and legal innovation partner at Harvey, addressed the main changes and challenges posed by artificial intelligence as it transforms the business environment. He argued that AI can turn people into “augmented professionals”, provided they understand both potential and limitations.
Because AI is prone to hallucinations and calculates probabilities rather than truly understanding the content it produces, Puertas stressed that human decision-making must remain central, especially in creative and decision-making processes.
“You must think first, and only then use AI. If you do that, the machine makes you better,” he explained. In his view, the future of AI should not be framed as a replacement for people, but as an opportunity to enhance human capabilities. “Learn AI, but understand that it is not here to replace or substitute you; it is here to make you better and more capable. The machine must be the ‘what’, and you must be the ‘why’.”
Leading and collaborating in the future of work
The final panel focused on one of the key questions for society, the economy, and business schools: What will the future of work look like? The panel was Introduced by Luke Jahn, president of Esade Alumni London, and moderated by Lilian Loyola, Esade Alumni London board member and founder of From→To. It brought together alumni Natalia Hariharan, HR BP director at BNP Paribas, and Dan Duckart, VP at Expedia Group, to discuss leadership, collaboration, and the impact of AI on work.
“AI is changing the way people work: they are going to work more, faster, and better. But people will still rely on their leaders,” said Hariharan. “Leaders will be expected to create cultures where people feel they belong and feel safe to be who they are.” Hariharan also stressed that future leaders will need to lead with empathy and encourage trust. Duckart highlighted the role of cross-departmental teams, which he described as more autonomous, agile, and effective.
Esade Alumni, a lifelong global network
The London event also showcased Esade Alumni's role as a global network supporting professionals throughout their careers. The association includes more than 83,000 members and 74 international chapters, delivering opportunities for learning, networking, professional development, and shared impact.
“It starts as soon as you graduate, continues throughout your professional career, even when you reach the top, and is about sharing experiences and supporting one another,” explained Jorge Alcover. “Once you finish your studies at Esade, you are part of this path, and we hope you continue carrying forward Esade’s values and mission.”