How to Successfully Roll Out AI Across Your Organization | Scott Likens, Global Chief AI Engineer, PwC

Scaling AI Across the Enterprise: PwC’s Chief AI Engineer on Workforce and Workflow Transformation

Scott Likens, Global Chief AI Engineer at PwC, explains how AI is reshaping work by changing processes and skills rather than simply eliminating roles. Drawing on experience with large organizations, he outlines practical challenges and strategies for adopting AI at scale.

The conversation explores common failure points in AI projects, the so-called "frozen middle" blocking enterprise progress, and why successful adoption prioritizes people, education, and change management. Scott also discusses industry adoption patterns, strategic partnerships, and implications for software engineering and leadership.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why most organizations are approaching AI the wrong way
• The "frozen middle" slowing down enterprise AI adoption
• How PwC is scaling AI across a global workforce
• Why AI is different from every technology wave before it
• The future of software engineering in the age of AI
• Which industries are moving fastest with AI adoption
• Why AI won't just replace jobs, it will reshape them
• The role education must play in an AI-powered future
• China's AI strategy versus the United States
• Why curiosity may become the most important skill of the next decade

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and the story behind Scott's LinkedIn profile
03:20 What a Chief AI Engineer actually does
06:15 Why AI is different from previous technology revolutions
10:00 The "frozen middle" problem inside organizations
15:25 Why AI adoption is more about people than technology
18:45 PwC's partnership with Anthropic and enterprise AI
22:00 Which industries are moving fastest with AI
27:00 AI, jobs, and workforce transformation
33:00 Why education needs to change
35:30 China, the U.S., and the global AI race
40:00 The questions CEOs are asking about AI today
44:00 Why most AI projects fail
47:30 Advice for leaders trying to scale AI
50:00 Books, learning, and final thoughts

About the Guest:

Scott Likens is the Global Chief AI Engineer at PwC, helping organizations navigate enterprise AI adoption and workforce transformation. His work centers on aligning technology, processes, and people to enable sustainable, scaled AI solutions.

About the Company:

PwC is a global professional services network providing consulting, assurance, and advisory services to help organizations address complex business and technology challenges. The firm supports clients with strategy, implementation, and change management for emerging technologies like AI.