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What if the quickest route to AI success isn't about building new systems. We sit down with Thierry Geerts, CEO of Beci, Brussels Chamber of Commerce and former Google Belgium director, to explore why small businesses in Brussels might be better placed than large corporations to harness AI's potential right now. Thierry argues convincingly for practical use over invention, suggesting that the region's high wages and pragmatic talent make ready-made AI tools a strategic advantage.

We challenge the myths surrounding AI-driven job loss and examine the Brussels labour market with fresh data. Thierry reveals how his team used AI to uncover around 100,000 open positions—showing that the job gap is more about discovery and matching than scarcity. From automated translation that prepares businesses for export to AI copilots enhancing customer relationships, he explains how leaders should view AI as an opportunity first, then a tool for efficiency. The key is adoption: empower your team, redesign workflows, and measure the gains so that time saved translates into value created.

Thierry also introduces Homo Digitalis, a mindset recognising that employees already engage with AI in their personal lives. Companies that restrict tools at work create a cultural mismatch and lose momentum. We discuss what Belgium needs next — not another hype cycle, but a clear AI master plan connecting universities, policy, and businesses for long-term value. Looking five years ahead, AI should feel as familiar as your smartphone—some teams will lead because they started small, learned quickly, and expanded what worked. If you're seeking a plan that's grounded, measurable, and human-centred, this conversation is your guide.

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While skepticism often grabs attention, data may reveal a different narrative. A select group of companies is already harnessing AI to create tangible business value. We delve into new survey insights with Xavier Verhaeghe to explore why these companies are leading, how they organise their initiatives, and what it takes to transition from isolated trials to significant results. The key is clear: view AI as a transformative force, not just a tool.

We outline the strategies successful leaders employ. It begins with a compelling "why" linked to enhancing customer experience and boosting revenue, rather than merely cutting costs. Next is targeted execution: choose a few high-impact processes, redesign them comprehensively, and safeguard resources with a dedicated transformation office.

Looking forward, agentic AI is already in use for specific applications, moving from "human in the loop" to human oversight, with agents monitoring agents for quality. This shift challenges leaders to rethink governance, monitoring, and risk management. It also transforms talent. Generalists, armed with AI, can now provide value previously reserved for experts. Boards that move past headlines to genuine urgency invest in reskilling, redefine roles, and align AI with strategic goals.

Looking to refine your plan—focus deeply on fewer initiatives, measure outcomes that matter to customers, and align business and AI leadership? This discussion offers a clear starting point and practical guidance. Subscribe, share with a colleague responsible for a key process, and leave a review with the one process you'd transform first.

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AI alone won't revolutionise a business just because the tools are available. We explore how Microsoft transitioned from trial phases of AI to achieving tangible results—and why governance, training, and clear KPIs are crucial in moving from novelty to tangible outcomes. With insights from Marijke Schroos, General Manager, Microsoft Belgium and Luxembourg, and Michiel De Keyzer, a Director at PwC, we delve into daily adoption mechanics, from leader-driven prompt sharing to community building and weekly reports that push usage beyond 90%.

Our discussion goes beyond buzzwords to reveal how teams truly capture value. We explore how to align AI with specific processes and challenges, establish baselines, and assess outcomes like cycle time, quality, and risk reduction. You'll discover how engineering advancements can be transformed into industry-specific solutions across finance, HR, legal, and procurement, and why AI is now a business-driven agenda with IT ensuring security, architecture, and data readiness. You can also take a glimpse into how local market feedback informs product development, while public sector constraints inspire practical innovations like fraud detection and service productivity.

Trust and responsibility are at the core of every decision. This episode covers data classification, access controls, content policies, and review boards that mitigate bias and misuse—alongside training that empowers individuals to verify sources and question outputs. Education emerges as a key driver, with teachers and students using AI to enhance critical thinking rather than bypass it. Looking forward, agentic workflows will reshape work structures as teams learn to manage fleets of agents. With the addition of quantum computing, breakthroughs in fields like Pharma could accelerate significantly, displaying results rather than interfaces.

If you're committed to AI adoption, this is your guide: establish boundaries, aim for impact, measure what counts, and combine human insight with machine efficiency.

Join us and listen to all episodes on www.pwc.be/aiunscripted