Re-Thinking AI
In June 2025, McKinsey revealed: Nearly every company now uses GenAI – but only a few are seeing economic value.
“The GenAI Paradox: Widespread deployment, minimal impact.”
Now what ?
While we test AI, China is building the future with it.
When we talk about AI in the West, it's mostly about GenAI & efficiency. Everything becomes faster and cheaper, but at its core, much remains the same.
China is already one step ahead. They know that AI means more than GenAI. The focus isn’t on efficiency, but on new business models and radical innovation—much of it is already part of everyday life.
Are you aware of how extensively AI has been used in China for years?
3 Examples for AI in China - beyond the Hype.
Ping An, the largest insurer in the world, has switched the car claims process to AI, reportedly handling up to 90% of all cases largely automatically. Since 2017.
Tmall – Alibaba's brand platform – collaborates with international brands to develop not just campaigns, but entirely new products. An AI-powered co-creation model based on its own e-commerce data identifies consumer desires early. Since 2016.
On Alibaba.com – the B2B marketplace of the Alibaba Group – entire supply chains can be built via the app. From finding a product idea to specification and ordering, every step is supported by AI. Since 2023.
More topline,
less bottomline!
Three key insights from China for a future-ready AI strategy:
Truly strategic AI use goes beyond fixing details – it rethinks whole processes.
AI enables new business models, not just efficiency gains.
Waiting is not a strategy.
Start re-thinking AI!
In our Re-Thinking AI workshops, we go beyond the hype and take a fresh look at what AI can truly deliver: We clarify the basics, analyze international best practices, and discuss how they can inform real AI-first strategies tailored to our markets.
The workshop runs for four hours and explores five key questions:
Basics – What has really changed with AI?
Strategy – What does a real AI-first strategy look like?
Cases – What are some international success stories?
Learnings – How can I specifically use AI in my company?
Perspectives – Where are we heading with this?
The German workshop series starts in autumn 2025. The international edition will follow soon. Interested? Get in touch today.
In addition to our open workshops, we offer customized formats tailored to your organization’s needs:
Keynotes
Inspiring talks at internal or external events – focused on the topics that matter most to your business.
Inhouse-Workshops
Hands-on sessions tackling your specific challenges – on-site, remote, or even together with your clients (ideal for agencies or consultancies).Executive Coaching
Ongoing strategic sparring and personal guidance through digital transformation – individual, discreet, and grounded in real-world experience.
Interested in exploring a tailored collaboration?
Simply share your contact details – and we’ll get back to you right away.
© Andreas Loechte Photography
Re-Thinking Digital.
Re-Thinking AI is part of a broader initiative designed to fundamentally rethink “digital” – inspired by strategies and developments from a “Disruptive China”.
The series focuses on four core themes: corporate strategy, e-commerce, branding/marketing, and artificial intelligence.
Together with the Tomorrow Academy in Vienna, I host the monthly entry-level workshop “Digital China.” (German only)
It offers a solid overview of key developments and helps participants identify relevant deep-dive topics for their own organization.
Re-Thinking Workshops:
"Solidly researched, interactive, and moderated to the point. Valuable for anyone who wants to understand and actively shape the future."
– Thorsten Kuehnel, Chief Digital Officer, Rheinmetall
"A great interactive and dialog format full of inspiration and food for thought. A must-attend program!"
– Martin Gassner, Managing Director Accenture Song
“Great expert and speaker on digitalization. A real China maven who is not only well-read, but also knows the reality on the ground there.”
– Matthias Freiherr von Tettau, Managing Partner, DIH Deutsche Industrie-Holding.
“This moment alone when you realize how little you know about China is worth attending of this workshop. Very well invested time that leaves a lasting impression and makes you think.”
– Daniel Koennecke, Partner, Deloitte Digital.