Executives and entrepreneurs analyze the challenges of AI adoption in business at IESE

IESE’s 2024 Global Alumni Reunion (GAR) kicks off in Madrid on Thursday, November 14, launching a three-day event focused on the challenges that Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses for executives and how to leverage this technology to improve business strategies, while maintaining high ethical standards and a people-centered vision. 

The GAR, IESE’s premier annual event, will bring together CEOs, international business leaders, renowned academics, and over 2,000 alumni from the IESE community at the Madrid campus, with thousands more joining virtually. IESE currently has over 59,000 alumni located in 155 countries worldwide. 

In a context where AI is rapidly transforming the future of organizations and society, this year's GAR theme, “The Courage to Create the Future,” will explore how this emerging technology can be a driver of positive change and innovation in times of global uncertainty.  

During the event, professors Sampsa Samila and Mireia Giné will present new research on the impact of AI on businesses and the most in-demand leadership skills. Additionally, Professor Eduard Talamàs, author of ongoing research with Professor Enrique Ide, will give a talk on the present and future of work in the era of AI. 

Inspiration, Learning, and Networking 

The academic program, led by IESE professors Sampsa Samila and Marta Elvira, will feature prominent business leaders and CEOs who will share their insights on how AI can guide organizations toward the common good. 

Speakers will include: 

• Luis Maroto, President and CEO of Amadeus, will share his perspective on driving growth and competing globally, addressing sustainability challenges, and embracing responsible innovation, with a focus on harnessing AI capabilities. 

• Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President of Operations in Europe at Schneider Electric, will discuss her role in promoting sustainable energy and how AI contributes to energy efficiency. 

• Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), will explain how he is leading the transformation of the aviation industry in a constantly changing environment. 

• Jonathan Lakin, Founder and CEO of Intent HQ, will discuss how predictive AI enables brands to anticipate customer needs, creating more relevant and personalized interactions. 

• Ariadna Font Llitjós, Co-founder and CEO of Alinia AI, will share her passion for advanced language models and generative AI, and how these technologies are revolutionizing multiple sectors. 

• Paloma San Valentin, Head of Corporate Finance for North America at Moody's, will provide insights into current financial strategies and the role of data in business decision-making. 

• Mateo Valero, Director of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, will present his perspective on how advanced computing technologies are driving progress in industry and redefining the future of business. 

• Rita Babihuga-Nsanze, Chief Economist and Director of Research and Strategy at Africa Finance Corporation, will offer her perspective on emerging economies. 

• Ignacio Cirac, Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, considered a global authority in quantum computing, will speak about the transformative potential of this technology. 

• Alexander Rike, Co-founder and CEO of Celonis, one of Europe’s leading tech giants, will share how innovation is revolutionizing business efficiency. 

• Enrique Lizaso, CEO of Multiverse Computing, will present the pioneering work of his company, a European leader in quantum AI. 

The 2024 Global Alumni Reunion will not only offer inspiring talks but also numerous networking and learning opportunities, including visits to innovative companies like Microsoft, Mahou San Miguel, Celonis, Amazon, and Real Madrid, among others. These events will allow attendees to gain firsthand insights into how these companies are implementing AI to lead change in their sectors. 

50 Years of IESE in Madrid  

The event will be held at IESE’s Madrid campus, marking a special year as the school celebrates 50 years of activity in the city. IESE began its journey in Madrid with the Senior Executive Program (PADE), bringing together 48 executives from the region. In 1991, it inaugurated its own campus in the capital, which was expanded in 2021 to create a hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. 

Today, the Madrid campus hosts the Master in Management (MiM), the Executive MBA, and a wide range of executive education programs for national and international executives and companies. It is also the center of activity for IESE’s extensive and active alumni community in the region.