Axios

New research shows that 95% of AI pilots fail to show measurable ROI beyond experimentation (MIT).

It's not because the technology doesn't work. It's because most organizations haven't built the capability infrastructure required to operationalize it.

DAVOS, Switzerland — C-suite leaders of multiple American businesses said long-term resilience will require balancing strategic generative AI usage with the needs of American workers.

Why it matters: The geopolitical order is changing, and strategies around supporting employees, improving stateside workflows, and bolstering community relationships can determine whether organizations remain competitive.

Axios' Kate Marino moderated the Jan. 20 Expert Voices roundtable, which was sponsored by Philip Morris International U.S. under Chatham House rules.

Inside the room: Here are five takeaways from the conversation…

1. Relying exclusively on AI has risks. It remains crucial to invest in physical infrastructure, put energy toward the human workforce, and give back to the community.

2. People come first. Offering union roles with health care, benefits, and fair wages while offering growth and mobility opportunities within an organization is a clear motivator and helps build a mutually beneficial future.

3. Consider the world of tomorrow. To compete, the U.S. needs to improve systems from within — infrastructure, the supply chain, and, yes, technology.

4. Acknowledge the tension. There is a strain between wealth creation and broad prosperity, especially as the cost of living rises and wages remain stagnant.

5. Remember American values: Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie. Treat those around you with dignity. Think about the company's commitment to those it serves.

A message from the sponsor:

Philip Morris International's U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) are committed to being invested in America — in its manufacturing, innovation, and communities.

The business noted it is driving public health advances with smoke-free alternatives as well as prioritizing manufacturing, job creation and community impact, having invested, since 2022, more than $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing, operational capabilities and people costs (through September 30, 2025).

The AI backpedaling has begun: 2028 Democratic contenders who bet big on data centers are suddenly retreating amid a growing voter revolt.

Why it matters: The politics of AI are evolving almost as rapidly as the technology.