The phrase that backfired

Standard Chartered's Bill Winters told a panel AI was about "replacing lower-value human capital" with investment capital. The backlash was immediate and he ended up apologising.

“It's not cost-cutting. It's replacing lower-value human capital with the financial capital and the investment capital we're putting in.”

The C-suite question of the year

How leaders answer the AI wave, and whether they carry their staff with them, is now a top boardroom issue. AI, workforce planning and ROI headline Fortune's CEO Forum on September 16.

Train up, don't cut down

Giffgaff CEO Kate Dohaney reframes the question entirely. Not how do we shrink the workforce, but how do we train people to do more across the business.

“I'm not a CEO sitting back saying cut, cut, cut.”

Every revolution needs new skills

Dohaney isn't against efficiency. She wants to work out the next generation of skill sets early and keep her people curious rather than frightened while the shift happens.

“We have to understand what are the next generation of skill sets?”

Banks are coming for telco

Revolut, Monzo, Klarna and Octopus are all eyeing mobile as consumer brands chase super-app status. Nubank already runs NuCel in Brazil.

“There's a massive opportunity for telcos to get ahead and think about revenue diversification.”

Be the red t-shirt

Giffgaff's answer is low cost plus sustainability: B-Corp certified, three quarters of its phones refurbished, and fintech experiments aimed at giving young people fair access to credit.

“Our strategy is focused on 'fair play', giving the next generation fair access and a leg up in life.”