

Cambridge Executive Business Insights
Cambridge Judge Business School
Cambridge Executive Business Insights: Rethinking AI is the second series of the podcast from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education. Hosted by Jaideep Prabhu, Professor of Marketing at Cambridge Judge, the series explores a timely and provocative question: what if the future of artificial intelligence isn’t about building ever-bigger systems, but about building smarter ones?
The series introduces the concept of frugal AI, an approach to artificial intelligence focused on doing more with less. At a time when AI systems are becoming increasingly resource-intensive, Rethinking AI explores alternative paths that prioritise efficiency, accessibility, and purposeful innovation.
The podcast brings together leading academics, technologists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to discuss the ideas, stories, and experiments reshaping how we design and deploy AI. Across the series, conversations explore topics such as low-resource innovation, energy-efficient AI models, creative constraints in technology development, and the potential for frugal approaches to expand access and equity.
Through these discussions, the series asks what it means to rethink intelligence in a world facing growing technological and environmental challenges. Ultimately, Rethinking AI explores how we can build AI systems that are not only powerful, but also purposeful, efficient, and inclusive.
About the host
Jaideep Prabhu is Professor of Marketing at Cambridge Judge Business School and a leading expert on innovation, strategy, and inclusive growth. His research focuses on frugal innovation, developing affordable, sustainable solutions that deliver greater value with fewer resources.
Jaideep is the co-author of the internationally acclaimed book Jugaad Innovation and Frugal Innovation: How to Do Better with Less. His work explores how organisations can rethink innovation to make products, services, and technologies more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.
At Cambridge Judge Business School, Jaideep teaches and researches how businesses can harness frugal innovation to address global challenges while creating lasting economic and social impact.
The series introduces the concept of frugal AI, an approach to artificial intelligence focused on doing more with less. At a time when AI systems are becoming increasingly resource-intensive, Rethinking AI explores alternative paths that prioritise efficiency, accessibility, and purposeful innovation.
The podcast brings together leading academics, technologists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to discuss the ideas, stories, and experiments reshaping how we design and deploy AI. Across the series, conversations explore topics such as low-resource innovation, energy-efficient AI models, creative constraints in technology development, and the potential for frugal approaches to expand access and equity.
Through these discussions, the series asks what it means to rethink intelligence in a world facing growing technological and environmental challenges. Ultimately, Rethinking AI explores how we can build AI systems that are not only powerful, but also purposeful, efficient, and inclusive.
About the host
Jaideep Prabhu is Professor of Marketing at Cambridge Judge Business School and a leading expert on innovation, strategy, and inclusive growth. His research focuses on frugal innovation, developing affordable, sustainable solutions that deliver greater value with fewer resources.
Jaideep is the co-author of the internationally acclaimed book Jugaad Innovation and Frugal Innovation: How to Do Better with Less. His work explores how organisations can rethink innovation to make products, services, and technologies more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.
At Cambridge Judge Business School, Jaideep teaches and researches how businesses can harness frugal innovation to address global challenges while creating lasting economic and social impact.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 12, 2025 • 39min
Why Business Should Care About Sustainability
In this episode, host Professor Chris Marquis speaks with Lindsay Hooper, CEO of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), about how businesses can move beyond traditional sustainability toward true regeneration. Lindsay shares CISL’s systems-level perspective on transforming markets to serve people, nature, and climate. She critiques current ESG efforts as insufficient and introduces the concept of competitive sustainability—a new framing that urges companies to adapt to systemic risks reshaping the business landscape. Together, they explore the need for bold innovation, policy engagement, and cross-sector collaboration, while examining the political and economic headwinds facing sustainable transformation. Lindsay offers candid insights and practical steps for business leaders ready to help redesign the systems they operate in. This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to make their organisation resilient, relevant, and regenerative in the face of climate disruption, resource constraints, and growing societal expectations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 29, 2025 • 44min
Regenerative Business Pioneers - Patagonia
In this episode, host Christopher Marquis speaks with Vincent Stanley, a long-time leader at Patagonia and co-author of The Future of the Responsible Company. Vincent offers a candid perspective on what it means for a business to act responsibly in an extractive global economy. He explains why Patagonia is cautious with terms like “regeneration,” applying it meaningfully in its food division but preferring “responsibility” in apparel—measuring impact product by product and working to shift supply chains away from fossil fuels. Vincent discusses Patagonia’s efforts to change consumer behavior through bold moves like the “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign, resale programmes, and mending initiatives. Collaboration is central to Patagonia’s ethos, as seen in its role co-founding the Regenerative Organic Certification. Reflecting on the future, Vincent emphasises localism, authenticity, and staying rooted in purpose—urging businesses to act with humility and protect what truly matters.
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Jul 24, 2025 • 49sec
Trailer
What if business didn't just sustain, but actually restored and renewed the world around us? Join Christopher Marquis from Cambridge Judge Business School for a new podcast exploring how business can be a force for positive systemic change socially, environmentally, and economically. Over the coming weeks, tune in to Cambridge Executive Business Insights - Journey to Regeneration to hear from pioneers at Patagonia, Natura, The Nature Conservancy, and more.
Subscribe now and join us as we explore what it really means to lead regeneratively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


