Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Half of Companies Now Profit From AI, New BCG Study Finds

September 30, 2026

All year long, the loudest story in enterprise tech was skepticism. AI pilots everywhere, payoffs nowhere. Money in, results out — questionable. Boston Consulting Group just published the obituary for that narrative.

The firm’s Applied AI Index 2026, released September 30 and based on a survey of 1,330 CxOs and senior leaders, found that nearly half of companies (48.5%, to be exact) now generate meaningful value from AI. A year ago, in BCG’s 2025 research, that figure was 5%.

Read that again. Five percent to nearly fifty in about a year.

The “future-built” elite, companies running AI as a core operating capability, make up 7.5% of the total. The other 41% are actively scaling. The payoff isn’t a theory anymore; it’s showing up in financials. Future-built companies deliver 2.3 times the total shareholder return, 2.4 times the revenue growth, and 2.8 times the EBITDA growth of laggards. Even the scaling cohort manages 1.8 times the shareholder return.

The Spending Numbers Behind the Flip

Corporate AI spending has doubled in a year to 3.3% of revenue. That alone is striking. But the detail that tells you this is real: more than 80% of that spending now sits outside the enterprise IT budget.

That matters. When AI money lived inside IT, it was an experiment fund. When it moves to business units (marketing, operations, finance, supply chain), it’s an operating expense with an owner who expects results. Nobody parks real budget in a business unit without a return. The 48.5% figure is, in a sense, just the receipt.

So What’s the Bottleneck Now?

It’s not whether AI works. It’s whether companies can trust it enough to hand over the keys.

By 2030, BCG found, 42% of companies expect to give AI agents real decision-making authority. Only 5% have the controls in place today to do that safely.

That five percent is the next race, and it’s the boring, lucrative kind: auditability, permissions, agent ops. Which agent touched which record? Who approved that pricing change? Can you roll it back? The companies that win the next five years won’t necessarily be the ones with the cleverest models. They’ll be the ones with the control planes that let agents act with guardrails.

Think of it like the early days of cloud computing. First the question was whether the cloud worked. Then, once it clearly did, the question became compliance, identity, and cost management, and a whole industry grew up around the answers. Agent governance is the cloud-compliance era, except the software has opinions and initiative.

The Practical Playbook

For companies still on the sidelines, the study reads like a roadmap:

Start in one function, but plan to scale. The jump from 5% to 48.5% didn’t happen because everyone piloted. It happened because 41% of companies moved from pilots into scaling. Pilots that never graduate are where value goes to die.

Move the budget to the business. If AI spend still lives entirely in IT, that’s a signal it’s being treated as technology instead of capability. The 80%-outside-IT figure is the benchmark.

Invest in controls before you need them. Forty-two percent of companies want agents making real decisions by 2030. Building the permission and audit infrastructure now is what separates future-built from future-worried.

Watch the 7.5%. The future-built cohort isn’t just doing better on paper: at 2.8x EBITDA growth versus laggards, they’re pulling away in profitability, not just productivity. That gap compounds. The companies in the scaling cohort today are, in effect, racing to join that 7.5% before the advantage becomes unbridgeable. There’s no penalty for being second to move here; there is a growing penalty for never moving at all.

The trend cuts across industries, and it mirrors what’s happening in the physical world: driverless trucks are hitting public roads, robotaxis are scaling fast, and AI is moving from demo to deployment everywhere you look.

Why This One Feels Different

We’ve all read surveys that declare the AI revolution arrived. What makes BCG’s numbers land is the size of the swing (5% to 48.5% is not incremental, it’s a regime change) and the financial proof attached to it. Multiples on shareholder return and EBITDA aren’t vibes. They’re audited.

The skeptic’s era had a good run. The receipts say it’s over. The ROI era of enterprise AI has arrived, and the companies that treated AI as a serious operating discipline are now compounding the advantage. For everyone else, the good news is that the playbook is now written, tested, and, per 1,330 executives, actually working. The only real mistake left is waiting for permission the data has already granted. A year from now, the companies that started scaling this quarter will be the ones everyone else studies. The window for “fast follower” is open, but it won’t stay open forever.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Angel Gambino to Speak at Powerful Music Tectonics 2025 in Santa Monica

November 4, 2025

The influential investor and music technology leader joins industry innovators to explore the future of music investment.

The Music Tectonics Conference returns to Santa Monica, California from November 4 to 6, 2025, bringing together founders, investors, and technologists shaping the next generation of music innovation. Among the event’s featured participants is Angel Gambino, a prominent entrepreneur and investor known for her work at the intersection of media, music, and technology. Her presence at the conference reflects the growing convergence of creativity and capital within the modern entertainment economy.

Gambino’s upcoming appearance is set for Tuesday, November 5 at noon, when she will take the stage for a panel focused on investing in music. The discussion will explore new models of funding, technological disruption, and the strategies driving growth in an industry that has rapidly evolved through digital platforms and new forms of rights management.

The Music Tectonics Conference, hosted annually in Southern California, has become a meeting ground for music executives, startup founders, investors, and creators who are building the infrastructure of the digital music world. Each year, the gathering draws participants from across continents who come to exchange ideas, discover collaborations, and examine how technology continues to reshape the art and business of sound.

Santa Monica provides a fitting backdrop for this conversation, as the city remains a central hub for both entertainment and venture activity. The event’s coastal venue, with its open-air networking areas and accessible layout, mirrors the conference’s focus on collaboration and openness within the global music ecosystem.

Angel Gambino’s participation underscores her commitment to empowering creators and investing in ventures that merge innovation with impact. Over the course of her career, she has been a vocal advocate for sustainable business practices within the creative industries and for the role of technology in amplifying artistic reach. Her presence at Music Tectonics highlights the increasing importance of cross-sector expertise as investors and entrepreneurs navigate the rapidly changing dynamics of digital media.

The 2025 program features an array of panels and sessions examining artificial intelligence in music production, blockchain applications for rights management, and new methods for connecting artists directly with audiences. The event also facilitates investor meetings, startup showcases, and live demonstrations of emerging tools that are redefining how music is created, distributed, and monetized.

Attendees can expect three days of in-depth dialogue on the evolving intersections between creativity, commerce, and computation. The agenda encourages open engagement among participants from diverse professional backgrounds, blending the perspectives of established executives with those of founders who are charting new territories in music technology.

Angel Gambino’s role as both a speaker and active participant emphasizes her continued engagement with early-stage innovation. Her session on investment in music aligns with her broader mission to advance equitable opportunities for creators and to support scalable models that reflect the industry’s digital future.

Music Tectonics has built a reputation for hosting thoughtful discussions that extend beyond traditional industry gatherings. By focusing on innovation, the conference creates a platform for practical exploration of how music technology can serve artists and audiences alike. This year’s edition promises to deepen that legacy, especially with the inclusion of influential voices like Gambino’s.

As anticipation builds for the 2025 conference, the Los Angeles area is expected to welcome a community of professionals whose collective expertise continues to redefine the music business. Through its combination of panels, networking, and experiential programming, Music Tectonics remains one of the most forward-looking events in the creative technology calendar.

Angel Gambino’s participation exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives this evolving sector. Her involvement invites attendees to consider how investment, creativity, and technology can work in concert to build a sustainable and inclusive global music economy.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Grant Bollinger and The New York Sun’s Message of Great American Journalism

November 3, 2025

A renewed vision at The New York Sun invites readers to rediscover the integrity and heritage of American reporting.

At a time when trust in the press has eroded and many long-standing newsrooms have struggled to define their identities, The New York Sun is reintroducing its historic voice under a clear and determined message: great journalism can still shine. With Grant Bollinger, Vice President of Growth, leading the call for renewal, the publication’s latest campaign offers a compelling invitation to readers seeking substance and history amid the shifting landscape of modern media.

Founded in 1833, The New York Sun is one of America’s oldest newspapers, predating both The New York Times and The Associated Press. Its origins lie in an era when news was printed to inform rather than to provoke, and its reputation was built through decades of principled reporting. The Sun’s record includes milestones that shaped American journalism, from employing the first female reporter in the nation to championing the cause of emancipation well before the Civil War. These legacies remain central to its renewed identity in the digital age.

The publication’s message, outlined in a recent communication from Bollinger, frames its mission around three ideas: longevity, integrity, and restoration. Each point reflects a broader understanding of how journalism’s role has evolved—and how The Sun seeks to reclaim what it once represented. Its Pulitzer history, its early stand for justice, and its steady editorial direction form a foundation that the publication now presents as essential to restoring confidence in news.

A legacy of trust and conviction

The Sun’s early years reflected a commitment to telling the truth with balance and courage. During the nineteenth century, it became known for standing against slavery and for advocating the principles of freedom at a time when such positions were not common. Its newsroom was one of the first in America to integrate women into the field of reporting, a progressive step that would influence generations of journalists to come.

These choices positioned The Sun as more than a publication; it became a reflection of conscience within the press. The paper’s banner once flew above Broadway in New York City as a symbol of independent thought. That tradition is what Bollinger and his team now aim to preserve and adapt to the modern era. Their message, simple yet deliberate, declares that The Sun has consistently been on the right side of history and intends to remain there.

The changing landscape of journalism

Bollinger’s address acknowledges the challenges confronting today’s news environment. In a time of political division and digital saturation, audiences have grown skeptical of what they read and hear. The publication identifies this distrust as a central issue and positions itself as an answer rooted in heritage and responsibility. Its perspective emphasizes that many journalistic institutions have lost their sense of direction, drifting away from the purpose of providing reliable information and thoughtful context.

In response, The Sun is offering an accessible way for readers to reconnect with principled reporting, with a symbolic subscription rate of one cent per day. This gesture is both practical and symbolic, suggesting that truth and quality journalism should be within everyone’s reach.

A renewed invitation

The campaign’s tone is hopeful, with language that encourages participation rather than criticism. Bollinger’s appeal to “restore great American journalism” speaks to a shared belief that the profession can regain the trust it once held. The call is directed not only at readers but also at the broader journalistic community, asking for a return to standards of clarity, accuracy, and respect for the intelligence of the audience.

This approach marks a continuation of The Sun’s long-standing identity. It is not presented as a new enterprise but as a renewal of an old and respected one. The imagery and typography of the campaign evoke the paper’s historic emblem, featuring the golden rising sun motif that has been part of its masthead for nearly two centuries.

Leadership through continuity

Grant Bollinger’s role as Vice President of Growth is part of a larger effort to adapt the publication’s heritage to a modern readership. His presence in the campaign underscores the balance between tradition and innovation. Under his guidance, The New York Sun has focused on building a platform that honors its print legacy while embracing digital engagement, creating a model of continuity that reflects both historical awareness and technological fluency.

Bollinger’s message combines pragmatism with conviction. Rather than positioning The Sun as a competitor to other outlets, he frames it as a restoration project—an effort to bring back trust through consistency and factual reporting. The emphasis on growth is less about expansion and more about re-establishing credibility, cultivating readers who value depth, and ensuring that journalism continues to function as a civic institution rather than a commercial commodity.

The spirit of renewal

The campaign concludes with a clear statement: it is time to restore great American journalism. That phrase captures both an aspiration and a promise. It recognizes that journalism once held a central place in American life, not only as a source of information but as a guardian of democratic values. The New York Sun’s revival, under Bollinger’s direction, aims to reconnect that history to the present moment.

For readers, the appeal lies in the simplicity of its offer—clarity over noise, tradition over transience, and a return to the values that defined reporting before the age of algorithms. The one-cent-per-day subscription is a symbolic gesture that invites participation in this mission, transforming readers into partners in the effort to rebuild trust.

A future built on principle

As media institutions navigate uncertainty, The New York Sun stands as a reminder that longevity itself carries meaning. A publication that began nearly two centuries ago continues to advocate for honesty, diligence, and moral clarity. In a landscape crowded with competing narratives, its voice returns with a focus on permanence and purpose.

Grant Bollinger’s leadership brings that mission into focus for a new generation of readers. His appeal combines respect for history with an awareness of modern expectations. The New York Sun’s revival represents not nostalgia, but responsibility—the determination to uphold standards that have guided journalism through centuries of change.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Elon Musk Predicts an AI-Driven Future Without Jobs But Robots

October 30, 2025

Elon Musk envisions a world where artificial intelligence takes over all forms of labor, leaving humanity to redefine purpose and productivity.

When Elon Musk speaks about the future, the world listens. His vision often stretches beyond the boundaries of current technology, projecting a world reshaped by innovation and automation. His latest prediction—that artificial intelligence will eventually take every job—marks a profound turning point in how we imagine human life in an era dominated by machines. The statement, shared during recent remarks and widely circulated on social media, has reignited global debate over what work, value, and creativity will mean when machines surpass human labor in every measurable way.

For Musk, this future is not dystopian. He describes it as an age of freedom, where the absence of traditional work allows people to pursue activities of personal meaning—whether that means growing vegetables, creating art, or simply living without economic pressure. His belief is rooted in the rapid acceleration of machine learning, robotics, and automation across every major industry. He suggests that the transformation will be so complete that the very concept of employment as the foundation of society may no longer exist.

This vision comes amid growing evidence of automation’s reach. Reports have indicated that Amazon could reduce its workforce by as many as 160,000 positions by 2027 due to advanced automation systems. Similar projections exist across manufacturing, logistics, and even creative industries, where generative algorithms now produce text, images, and code with extraordinary precision. Yet Musk, who has long advocated for responsible and forward-thinking adoption of AI, maintains a calm optimism. In his view, these changes signal not loss but evolution—a new balance between human intention and technological capacity.

His perspective aligns with a broader philosophical question that has followed him throughout his career: how to ensure that progress serves humanity rather than replaces it. As the founder of multiple frontier companies, from Tesla and SpaceX to Neuralink and xAI, Musk has consistently positioned himself at the intersection of human ambition and machine intelligence. His outlook suggests that automation is not merely an economic phenomenon but a civilizational shift, one that could redefine the structure of societies and the motivations that drive individuals.

Economists and sociologists have long warned that mass automation could destabilize labor markets, but Musk’s position reframes the narrative. Rather than fighting to preserve outdated models, he argues, humanity should prepare to build new systems—ones centered around universal income, creative fulfillment, and sustainable living. The idea that humans might someday “be free to grow vegetables” is not literal instruction but a metaphor for a return to simpler, voluntary pursuits after centuries of industrial dependency.

This notion resonates particularly strongly in a time when work-life balance, burnout, and mental health have become defining concerns of modern life. In Musk’s scenario, artificial intelligence becomes a liberating force, not a rival. The machines that once competed for jobs would instead perform them all, allowing people to live without economic coercion. It is a radical idea, yet consistent with the trajectory of technological progress since the Industrial Revolution—each wave of innovation reducing the need for human labor while expanding opportunity in other domains.

Still, the implications of a world without jobs are immense. Entire systems of taxation, governance, and social identity are built on the framework of employment. The idea that machines could replace this structure raises profound ethical and political challenges. Musk acknowledges that such a transformation will require deliberate management, but he insists it will ultimately lead to greater abundance rather than scarcity. He envisions a post-labor economy where goods and services are plentiful, and where technology sustains itself with minimal human oversight.

Observers note that Musk’s prediction may already be unfolding. Autonomous vehicles, robotic warehouse systems, algorithmic trading, and AI-driven customer service platforms have already displaced millions of roles. Yet as new forms of work arise—data curation, AI supervision, ethical governance—the transition has remained partial rather than total. Musk’s claim extends further: he foresees a complete handover of all productive labor to machines.

This future challenges traditional ideas about human worth. For centuries, work has been central to identity, community, and self-definition. If that structure dissolves, society must rediscover meaning outside of economic activity. Musk’s optimism suggests that the absence of necessity could reveal new forms of creativity, connection, and leisure. Critics, however, warn of inequality, emphasizing that the benefits of automation could remain concentrated among those controlling the technology.

Musk’s own ventures illustrate both sides of the debate. Tesla’s manufacturing processes rely heavily on automation, yet they have also created new classes of engineering and software roles. SpaceX’s rockets integrate advanced AI for navigation and control, but still depend on human ingenuity for design and mission planning. His new company, xAI, aims to develop artificial intelligence systems aligned with human interests, suggesting that his vision of total automation remains tempered by a deep awareness of the ethical stakes.

The discussion extends beyond technology into culture. What happens to ambition, competition, and personal growth when labor is no longer required? Musk imagines that these instincts will evolve toward exploration and creation. Freed from economic compulsion, individuals could invest their time in science, art, or philosophy. In this sense, his statement that humans will be “free to grow vegetables” symbolizes a return to balance—a rediscovery of simplicity in an age of complexity.

For many, this idea is as unsettling as it is inspiring. The thought of universal automation evokes images of displacement, but also of potential renaissance. Musk’s perspective invites society to rethink not just how we work, but why. The notion that artificial intelligence could one day perform every task once reserved for human hands forces a reconsideration of purpose itself.

The future Musk describes may still be distant, but its foundations are being laid today in laboratories, data centers, and policy debates around the world. The pace of AI advancement has surpassed earlier predictions, and with each new capability, the line between human and machine labor blurs further. Whether this transformation leads to collective freedom or fragmentation will depend not on the machines themselves, but on the systems humans build to coexist with them.

Musk’s assertion is not merely a forecast—it is a challenge. It compels governments, industries, and individuals to prepare for a world in which employment is optional and creativity is essential. It suggests that automation, handled with wisdom, could finally deliver what centuries of economic struggle have promised: a life free from necessity, guided by choice.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: EXMA Bites: Lessons in Purpose, Pop Culture, and Perseverance!

October 19, 2025

Every Friday, EXMA — the powerhouse organization shaping Latin America’s business and innovation landscape — delivers its signature pulse of insight through Los Bites de la Semana, a compact yet potent briefing that distills the week’s most resonant stories for a global community of “doers.” Each edition is a blend of cultural relevance, creative strategy, and entrepreneurial drive, designed to recharge minds before the weekend.

This week’s EXMA Bites edition unfolds around a single theme: connection. From Uber’s feline pop experiment to Bill Gates’ reflections on the irreplaceable power of empathy, and the story of how one entrepreneur turned failure into a fitness empire, every story illuminates how purpose fuels success in an age obsessed with scale.

The newsletter opens with its signature rallying cry — “DOER, ¿listo pa’ cerrar la semana con todo?” — setting a tone of optimism and movement. The EXMA audience is not composed of passive readers but of leaders, innovators, and creative minds who translate ideas into results.

Uber and the Pop Culture of Kindness

The first story takes readers into Uber’s newest campaign — a blend of branding, emotion, and unexpected compassion. Inspired by the global aesthetic and cultural magnetism of Taylor Swift, the company launched an experience that turned cat adoption into pop culture. By merging music, storytelling, and emotional design, Uber managed to make a social cause — pet adoption — resonate at a cultural level.

The message was clear: emotional branding can be as powerful as it is noble. Rather than separating marketing from purpose, Uber demonstrated how empathy and social impact can coexist with modern entertainment. For EXMA’s readers, the lesson is tactical: leverage pop trends not as imitation but as a bridge to meaning. When inspiration comes from outside your immediate industry, creativity gains its greatest fuel.

Bill Gates on the Work AI Can’t Replace

In the second bite, the focus shifts from innovation in business to the essence of humanity in the workplace. Bill Gates, reflecting on artificial intelligence, identified three professions that technology will never fully replicate: teachers, nurses, and leaders.

His reasoning is precise and profoundly human. Teachers embody empathy and the ability to shape understanding through care. Nurses, through touch and attention, bring emotional intelligence into spaces where algorithms cannot reach. And leaders, at their best, inspire through vision and authenticity rather than data.

For the EXMA community, this insight is not about fear of automation but about the strategic value of humanity. In a world where systems grow smarter, the competitive edge lies in empathy, intuition, and the power to inspire — qualities that cannot be programmed. The takeaway is both philosophical and practical: identify what in your work depends on genuine human connection, and strengthen it relentlessly.

Julián Torres and Fitpal: From Collapse to Community

The third story embodies the EXMA ethos in its purest form — resilience. Entrepreneur Julián Torres, founder of Fitpal, faced a series of failed ventures before finding his breakthrough. He tried tourism, restaurants, and other projects that left him nearly penniless. Yet in those setbacks, he found the training ground for persistence.

With little more than determination and a prototype, he launched Fitpal — an app that allows users to access multiple gyms with a single membership. What began as a minimal, imperfect experiment has evolved into a regional success with investors, recognition, and thousands of subscribers across Latin America.

EXMA highlights this as a living lesson in entrepreneurship: the fear of imperfection is the enemy of progress. The only way to refine an idea is to release it into the world, however rough the first version may be. Failure, in this light, is not a verdict but a workout — the gym where success builds its strength.

A Thread of Purpose Through Every Story

As this week’s Bites concludes, EXMA draws the stories together under one unifying reflection: the best ideas are born from the heart.

Uber turned compassion into cultural momentum. Gates reminded the world that empathy is still humanity’s greatest advantage. And Julián Torres showed that endurance transforms defeat into wisdom.

Each narrative becomes a mirror for the “doer” mentality EXMA celebrates — purpose-driven, emotionally intelligent, and unafraid to act. Behind the playful tone and conversational emojis lies a sophisticated principle: in modern business, authenticity and emotional resonance drive growth more powerfully than any algorithm.

The newsletter’s sign-off — “Nos leemos la próxima semana con más bitesssss” — carries the casual warmth of a mentor speaking to peers. It’s a ritual reminder that innovation is continuous, and every week brings another opportunity to align purpose with performance.

The EXMA Pulse

Founded as a movement rather than merely a platform, EXMA has become one of Latin America’s most influential ecosystems for business transformation. Its philosophy, embodied in messages like these, merges marketing, innovation, leadership, and personal mastery into a single framework. EXMA’s language is vibrant, inclusive, and motivational — addressing professionals as “doers” who shape the future rather than simply respond to it.

Through events, masterclasses, and digital engagement, EXMA has cultivated a community that spans entrepreneurs, executives, and creative thinkers across multiple continents. EXMA Bites functions as its cultural shorthand — a brief but potent reminder that the next big leap often begins with a single small action.

The Lesson of the Week

To close, EXMA’s trio of stories leaves an enduring imprint on both business and mindset. Compassion can be commercial. Humanity can be strategic. And failure, far from final, can be the most fertile soil for innovation.

When Uber, Gates, and Torres converge in the same message, the conclusion is unmistakable: success belongs to those who connect with emotion, lead with empathy, and dare to begin before they are ready.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, Waldemar Prinz zu Schaumburg-Lippe und Antonia Prinzessin zu Schaumburg-Lippe

Website about His Highness Dr. Prince Mario-Max Prinz zu Schaumburg-Lippe SAG-AFTRA, EQUITY, AGVA, LA Press Club, NY Press Club, OEJC, BFFS

Tag: digital transformation