Having truly entered a new era with AI, organisations approaching transformation must move at speed, being ready and willing to invest in innovation and move with the ambiguity.
The McKinsey Transformation Summit 2025 brought together industry leaders to explore the new era of AI and its impact on the global economy, industries and organisations. As we navigate what we do and don’t know, several critical themes emerged that can guide organisations in their AI-enabled transformation journeys.
AI as a new economic engine
AI is not just a technological advancement; it's a powerful economic driver. Chris Bradley, McKinsey Global Institute Director and Senior Partner at McKinsey, opened the Summit with a compelling picture of the new era and opportunity we are in. With the potential to boost productivity by 33%, AI is set to redefine global power dynamics and economic growth.
In the context of a declining global population and workforce, AI-driven productivity is not just an opportunity, but a necessity for sustaining economic growth. Organisations that invest in digital capabilities, particularly AI, will be better positioned for future success.
Move from disruption to deployment with boldness and speed
Jonathan Michael, Senior Partner at McKinsey, emphasised that boldness in the face of ambiguity will be essential for industries to transform. From changes in buying behaviours and the definition of work, to the cost of intelligence and technology, the world of most sectors is looking radically different. For instance, AI has enabled 30-40% less manual effort in product launches and 95% auto-resolution for call centres.
As consumers increasingly demand speed, organisations must respond with a top-down approach to AI-enabled business transformation. Sophie Underwood, Partner at McKinsey, and Solly Brown, Partner at McKinsey and Co-Leader of QuantumBlack Australia & New Zealand, provided practical steps to move at speed, through redesigning workflows and implementing agent teams that unlock the potential to complete open-ended tasks over longer periods, are reusable, and lower risk.
A human-centered, AI-enabled organisation
Sophie highlighted the human side of AI-enabled transformations. Majority of jobs are only 20 to 50 per cent automatable, necessitating a redefinition of work and a focus on reskilling and redeploying talent. Talent will still be central in the new era; however part of the transformation is restructuring the org and the roles to optimise the freed-up capacity AI provides.
Our panel of industry professionals shared that successful transformation requires internal and external education, consensus-building, and respect for expertise. The shift from viewing AI as merely a tool for automation to seeing it as a collaborator is crucial. Leadership, alignment, and culture remain fundamental, with the stakes being higher and timelines shorter in the AI era.
Start with a North Star and iterate on the roadmap
As organisations look to mobilise and scale transformation efforts, Jason Inacio, Partner at McKinsey and co-leader of McKinsey Transformation Australia & New Zealand, shared that a North Star is essential. With this established, the direction of travel is clear as change is tested.
Liz Murray, Partner at McKinsey, affirmed that organisations don't need to have the full business case to begin their AI journey. Starting small, moving fast, and learning as you go is the reality of transformation in the AI era.
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Success relies on leaders who are not just excited about AI but are willing to invest in it and bet on it. The future belongs to those who are willing to embrace change, invest in innovation, and lead with purpose.
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