Fortune

The Power of AI to Help Mitigate and Manage Climate Change

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s CEO Christoph Schweizer discusses AI’s potential to help mitigate the worsening climate crisis and improve adaptation and resilience. He explains how AI can quickly interpret large and complex datasets, helping organizations better measure their carbon footprints and acquire key insights into climate-related hazards, such as rising sea levels. As climate action becomes a paramount concern for organizations around the world, Schweizer outlines the various ways that global leaders can leverage AI to achieve their climate goals.

Gulf News

Gulf's Natural Gas Ambitions Are at a Tipping Point

In a coauthored article for Gulf News, BCG’s Pablo Avogadri writes about the growing demand for natural gas in the Middle East. Despite the region’s ambitions to scale up production, the authors assert that the current gas network, characterized by self-sufficiency and limited connections between countries, needs a renovation. To prepare for the Gulf’s energy transition, they advise energy producers to expand their analytical capabilities, restructure their business and operating models, and work with pipeline operators to pave a clear path toward decarbonization—and they should start now.

Fortune

Recession or Resilience? Here’s How the US, Europe, and Asia Stack Up

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz weigh the risk of a global recession by examining the challenges facing the US, Europe, and Asia. They explain that the US is battling its highest inflation levels since the early 1980s, and Europe and Asia are experiencing unique economic headwinds such as an energy crisis and a continuation of COVID shutdowns, respectively. Though the authors believe a global recession is possible, they assert that these regions are far too idiosyncratic, in terms of both risks and resilience, to succumb to recession all at once.

Forbes

Employers Should Measure Performance, Rather Than Showing Up

Writing in Forbes, BCG’s Deborah Lovich discusses the “mouse jiggler”—a new product that some employees are using to keep their computers online and active—and what its popularity says about the current state of work. With a decreased level of oversight in the remote workplace, some employers have struggled to trust that their employees are remaining on task. Even a quick lunch break or a walk around the block could be misperceived as idling, so employees have turned to mouse jigglers to ensure they appear productive at any given moment. To restore transparency and trust, Lovich suggests that employers set clear remote work expectations and allow for greater flexibility.

Arabian Business

Bridging the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity

In Arabian Business, BCG’s Leila Hoteit addresses the widening gender gap in the cybersecurity field. According to a BCG study, conducted in partnership with the Global Cybersecurity Forum, 94% of undergraduate women studying STEM disciplines in the Middle East would be interested in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. However, the field remains at a deficit for talent, with 57% of organizations reporting unfilled cybersecurity positions. As cyber-threats continue to escalate, Hoteit urges employers and institutions to empower this key cohort of women to work in cybersecurity.

Business Insider

Labor Day Travel Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels

In Business Insider, BCG’s Adam Gordon reflects on the summer travel surge that culminated in a busy Labor Day weekend exceeding pre-pandemic flight numbers from 2019. As COVID-19 case counts decline and restrictions ease in the US, Gordon points out that travel demand has recovered to somewhere between 80% and 95% of its 2019 volume. Though he expects these numbers to dwindle after people fulfill their “pent-up” travel plans, he “...doesn’t see any reason why the upcoming holiday season won't continue to see robust demand, spiking above 2019 levels on key travel dates.”

Fortune

The US, China, and Europe Are Ramping up a Quantum Computing Arms Race

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s François Candelon, Jean-François Bobier, Maxime Courtaux, and Gabriel Nahas discuss the global race to develop quantum computing technologies, which will be key for countries looking to establish a competitive advantage in the digital world. According to a BCG report, penned by the same authors, the US currently leads the charge in both investment and innovation, with China and the EU close behind thanks to government-funded programs. As the quantum race gains momentum, the authors outline four core strategies that countries can employ to accelerate their quantum sovereignty.

Bloomberg

Forging a Cashless Future in South Africa

Bloomberg zeroes in on BCG’s joint report with Discovery Bank titled “The Future of Retail Banking in South Africa,” which assesses the feasibility of the country’s digital banking transition. The report found that South Africans maintain a high reliance on physical currency due to the expenses of online banking, with almost all surveyed customers withdrawing cash at least once a month. According to the report, regulatory changes will be needed in South Africa to increase both the accessibility and attractiveness of a cashless system.

Forbes

Asset Management Continues Upward Trajectory

Forbes spotlights BCG’s 20th annual “Global Asset Management” report, which saw the industry continue its unprecedented growth trajectory in 2021, rising by 12% to reach more than $112 trillion in global assets under management (AuM). The report also revealed that investors can maximize their returns by engaging with two particularly promising arenas: alternative investing, which is projected to account for more than half of all industry revenues in the next five years, and sustainable investing, which could support over $25 trillion of equity and bond investments by 2050.

Bangkok Post

“Shoppertainment” Marks the Future of Commerce

In the Bangkok Post, BCG’s Aparna Bharadwaj addresses the phenomenon of “shoppertainment,” which helps brands connect with consumers through educational and entertaining content—with shopping as a natural outcome. According to a BCG study, commissioned by TikTok, shoppertainment presents a massive opportunity in Asia-Pacific with a projected market value of $1.1 trillion by 2025. Bharadwaj explains how the trend can “provide the sweet spot for brands to reignite consumers’ purchasing passions in an authentic and consumer-driven way.”

The Edge Malaysia

Digital Economy Agreements Can Boost Foreign Direct Investment

Writing in The Edge Malaysia, BCG’s Ching Fong Ong and Nurlin Mohd Salleh discuss the strong foreign direct investment (FDI) flows observed in Malaysia in 2021. Following a pandemic-induced recession, the country saw record levels of FDI, which boosted the economy in key sectors such as manufacturing, electrical and electronics services, and mining. To build on this progress, Salleh and Ong explain how Malaysia can leverage digital economy agreements to attract innovative companies, top talent, and continual investment in the region.

Arabian Business

Dubai Cements “Global Tech Hub” Appeal

In Arabian Business, BCG’s Faisal Hamady, Jürgen Eckel, and Rami Mourtada examine Dubai’s emergence as a dynamic digital hub. According to a BCG report, the global shortage of tech workers has pushed countries to scout talent beyond their borders—a practice familiar to the United Arab Emirates as immigrants comprise 96% of the country’s tech workforce. Through a series of incentives, including long-term business and residence visas, Hamady, Eckel, and Mourtada outline how Dubai is attracting and retaining essential digital talent.