Building a Skills-First Economy: Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani and Anton Stepanenko on Designing a Future-Ready Workforce

Designing for the New Normal: The Second-Order Implications of Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz

Recent disruptions have highlighted vulnerabilities across global trade and supply chains, prompting business leaders to reassess the resilience of the systems that support their organizations. Resilience Reflections is a Flavors of Ambition mini-series from BCG that explores how recent disruptions are reshaping business strategy, supply chains, and operational resilience. Through conversations with BCG experts, the series examines practical lessons for leaders navigating an increasingly complex operating environment. In this first episode, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner Rami Rafih introduces the themes that will shape the series. Drawing on his experience advising organizations on business strategy in a changing geopolitical landscape, Rami discusses how recent disruptions have affected global trade infrastructure and what these developments can mean for businesses and economies. The conversation explores which sectors have experienced the greatest disruption, how supply chain interdependencies can amplify operational impacts, and why recovery timelines differ significantly across industries. Rami also examines the structural changes already influencing global trade and supply chain strategy, regardless of when conditions stabilize. The episode concludes with perspectives on the factors shaping resilience today, the outlook for recovery across key sectors, and practical considerations for business leaders seeking to strengthen resilience and prepare for future disruption. For leaders looking to better understand how global developments are influencing regional transformation—and what it can take to build more resilient operations—this episode provides the starting point for the series. Links: Rami Rafih on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rami-rafih-3543651/] BCG Middle East [https://www.bcg.com/middle-east ] BCG Middle East | Podcasts [https://www.bcg.com/middle-east/podcasts] How Could the Strait of Hormuz Chokepoint Impact Future Business Dynamics? [https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/strait-of-hormuz-chokepoint-impacts-future-business] The Hormuz Strait: Which Sectors and Regions Are Impacted Most? [https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/the-hormuz-strait-which-sectors-and-regions-are-impacted-most] When the Strait Closes, the Transition Opens: How the Middle East Conflict Could Reshape Maritime Fuel Strategy [https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/how-the-middle-east-conflict-could-reshape-maritime-fuel-strategy] Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com

Building a Skills-First Economy: Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani and Anton Stepanenko on Designing a Future-Ready Workforce

The Middle East is undergoing one of the most ambitious workforce transformations in the world. As economies diversify, technology accelerates change, and new industries emerge, the question is no longer if jobs will evolve, but how people can be prepared to thrive in what comes next. In this episode of Flavors of Ambition, we speak with Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani, Deputy Minister for Skills and Training at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, about what it takes to build a future-ready workforce across the region. Drawing on his background in behavioral economics, Dr. Ahmed brings a refreshingly human lens to the conversation, challenging long-held assumptions about education, careers, and what truly prepares people for the future of work. He shares why the old rules no longer apply and what needs to change next. Joined by BCG Partner and Director, Education, Employment and Welfare, Anton Stepanenko, the conversation explores how AI, personalization, and lifelong learning are reshaping the labor market. Together, they unpack what it means to move from qualification-based hiring to skills-based systems, and why adaptability has become the most valuable skill of all. We also dive into Saudi Arabia’s role as a sandbox for bold talent reforms and what that means for the region and beyond. If you want to understand how the Middle East is reimagining human capital, building systems that match talent to opportunity, and preparing people for the future of work, this episode is for you. Links: Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalzahrani/?originalSubdomain=sa] Anton Stepanenko on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-stepanenko-b8b8a33/] BCG Middle East [https://www.bcg.com/middle-east] Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com

The Philosophy of Play: Morgan Parker and Ryan Taylor on Building Cities with Purpose

The Middle East is reimagining what a city can be—and at the heart of that transformation is a bold question: what if play, creativity, and human connection became the foundation of urban design? In this episode of Flavors of Ambition, Ryan Taylor, Managing Director at BCG Brighthouse, sits in the host’s chair for a conversation with Morgan Parker, Vice Chair of the Management Committee at Qiddiya Investment Company, about the philosophy shaping one of the region’s most ambitious initiatives. Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya is being built from scratch around sport, entertainment, and culture—designed not just as a destination, but as a new way of living. Morgan shares how decades of global experience in city-making shaped his belief that great places start with purpose. From rethinking how people move through public spaces to redesigning experiences like golf courses and transport systems, he explains how Qiddiya is embedding play into everyday life—lowering barriers, encouraging participation, and creating moments of shared joy. Together, Ryan and Morgan explore how Vision 2030 is unlocking new possibilities for domestic tourism, community connection, and long-term career pathways in experiential industries. Morgan reflects on why this project isn’t a development with an end date, but a living city that will continue to evolve across generations. We also dive into what Qiddiya could mean beyond Saudi Arabia—a blueprint for future cities that trade not just in goods or finance, but in experiences that shape memory, culture, and belonging. If you’re curious about the future of urban life, purpose-driven development, and what it really means to design for human potential, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Links: Qiddiya [https://qiddiya.com/] BCG Brighthouse [https://bcgbrighthouse.com/] Ryan Taylor on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantaylorcd/] Entertainment Parks Industry: Trends & Opportunities for Saudi Arabia [https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/entertainment-parks-industry-trends-opportunities-for-saudi-arabia] Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com

Writing the Next Chapter of AI: Dr. Yaser Al-Onaizan on Vision, Values, and the Human Side of Innovation

The Middle East is laying the foundations for a bold new era of artificial intelligence, one rooted in purpose. At the center of this transformation is Dr. Yaser Al-Onaizan, Deputy CEO of HUMAIN, and one of the driving forces behind Saudi Arabia’s national AI vision. In this episode Dr. Yaser and co-host Dr. Akram Awad, Managing Director and Partner at BCG explore how the region is turning strategy into reality, developing world-class data infrastructure, building AI systems grounded in human values, and cultivating the talent that will power tomorrow’s digital economies. Dr. Yaser shares how his journey from pioneering researcher to national AI leader reflects the region’s broader transformation.  A mission driven by ambition, collaboration, and a belief that technology must serve people. And Dr. Akram offers insight into how purpose-driven strategy, governance, and public-private partnerships are creating an ecosystem where innovation can thrive responsibly and sustainably. Together, they explore the ethical and societal dimensions of AI, from inclusion and gender parity to lifelong learning, and how regionally trained, Arabic-first AI models are helping position the Middle East as a global leader in human-centric innovation. If you want to understand how the Middle East is shaping the future of AI, balancing innovation with integrity, and vision with values, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Links: Dr. Yaser Al-Onaizan on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaser-al-onaizan-1a11294/] HUMAIN [https://www.humain.com/] Akram Awad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/akramawad/] BCG Middle East [https://www.bcg.com/middle-east] Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com

Smart Systems, Human Goals: Joseph Bradley on Designing the Middle East’s AI-Powered Future

The Middle East is building the future of cities from the ground up, with bold ambition and long-term vision. From cognitive cities to AI-enabled governance, the region is transforming into a living lab for the technologies, systems, and societies of tomorrow. In this episode of Flavors of Ambition, we speak with Joseph Bradley, CEO of Tonomus, and David Panhans, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, about what it takes to turn a bold national vision into reality. Together, they explore how the Gulf is embracing data, AI, and digital platforms not only to drive efficiency, but to fundamentally reimagine how we live, work, and lead. Joseph shines a light on how the Middle East is leveraging AI to go beyond smart cities and build the world’s first cognitive city, where technology serves humanity, and where progress is measured not just in profits, but in purpose. And David offers insight into how policy, public-private partnerships, and digital talent are accelerating transformation at scale. We also dive into what makes the Gulf uniquely positioned to take this leap, from a young, tech-savvy population and agile leadership to massive investment in infrastructure and innovation ecosystems.  If you want to understand why the Middle East is fast becoming a proving ground for the next wave of digital civilization, this episode is for you. Links: Joseph Bradley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmbradley/] TONOMUS [https://tonomus.neom.com] David Panhans on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-panhans-85194b/] BCG Middle East [https://www.bcg.com/middle-east] Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com