The Rise of the AI-Powered Company in the Postcrisis World

For some companies, global shocks have historically brought moments of truth. They can rapidly alter the business landscape and the terms of competition, often in ways that aren't immediately apparent. But companies that make bold moves during challenging times can turn adversity into advantage. The SARS outbreak of 2003 is often credited with giving rise to e-commerce giants such as Alibaba and JD.com, for example, while companies such as American Express and Starbucks pivoted during the global financial crisis of 2008 2009 to digital operating models that enabled them to thrive and dramatically increase shareholder value. In this sense, COVID-19 is likely to be no different from other crises.