The McKinsey Podcast Which tech trends are rising to the top of the business agenda?
150 snips
Dec 23, 2025 
Sven Smit, a Senior Partner at McKinsey specializing in tech trends, and Roger Roberts, also a Senior Partner focusing on semiconductors and digital trust, dive into the forefront of technology affecting business today. They discuss the rise of agentic AI, highlighting its potential in e-commerce and collaboration. The duo also explores the increasing role of robotics in various sectors and the urgent need for energy transition technologies. They emphasize the importance of developing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the evolving semiconductor industry.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Experiment Process‑By‑Process
- Learn by experimenting process-by-process to know when to scale robotics and AI.
- Prioritize rapid learning: the fastest learner will gain competitive advantage.
AI Spurs A New Electricity Challenge
- AI and broader economic growth drive big increases in electricity demand, shifting energy debate toward scaling capacity.
- Reliable, large-scale electricity solutions (including nuclear) re-enter strategic consideration.
Prioritize Affordable, Scalable Energy
- Focus on low‑cost scalable technologies like solar and wind while accelerating storage and grid build‑outs.
- Avoid building solutions that remain structurally unaffordable over the midterm.