What you'll learn in this episode
In this conversation, Amir Elion, CEO of Think Big Leaders and former AWS Innovation Programs lead in the Nordics, joins Avik Chakraborty on AI Biz to cut through the AI hype and map where the real business value is today. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Amir shares his three-bucket AI value framework, explains how Working Backwards keeps AI projects customer-anchored, and discusses responsible and sustainable AI scaling for executives, builders, and public sector leaders. These are topics Amir regularly speaks about at conferences and corporate events.
Three buckets of AI business opportunity
Amir opens with a practical framework for leaders feeling overwhelmed by AI. Bucket one: operational productivity - getting things done faster and at larger scale with intelligence on tap. Bucket two: enhancing products and engagement - upgrading experiences and offerings for customers, stakeholders, and the public through AI. Bucket three: disruption - understanding how AI will impact value networks, business models, and operational models, and building new value chains before someone else does. The key advice: build a portfolio across all three buckets, not just the obvious productivity plays. This framework is a core part of Amir's keynote presentations and executive workshops.
Working Backwards keeps AI customer-anchored
Amir connects Amazon's Working Backwards methodology directly to AI adoption. Start with five questions before choosing any technology: who is the customer, what is their problem, and what is the most important benefit? Teams often force the customer answer onto the solution they already have in mind - and Amir pushes back until they ground their answers in validated evidence rather than assumptions. The key insight: if the customer needs speed and low cost without complexity, AI might actually get in the way. AI is not a magic bullet - it has to serve the customer need.
Responsible AI scaling in practice
The conversation tackles what responsible AI looks like beyond principles on paper. Fairness and inclusiveness by involving diverse voices in development. Transparency about AI use in recommendations, analysis, and decision-making. Security and privacy of user data, especially when training models. Amir connects these principles to his work on sustainable AI through Global Green Action Day - sustainability in the broader sense including both environmental impact and social elements like bias and fairness. The advice: educate yourself and your teams about risks, apply mitigations, but do not let those risks hold you back from experimenting.
Regulation as guidance, not a barrier
Amir shares a nuanced perspective on AI regulation. Regulation will not stop AI innovation but may impact the speed in certain regions. The EU AI Act, for example, provides useful risk-level guidance - helping organizations identify lower-risk opportunities where they can move ahead, while adding protections for high-stakes decisions around health and lives. The balance is tricky, but responsible innovation is not about slowing down - it is about building trust as you move forward.
Book Amir as a speaker
Amir regularly delivers keynotes and workshops on the topics covered in this episode - the three buckets of AI business value, Working Backwards for customer-centric AI adoption, responsible and sustainable AI scaling, and practical frameworks for navigating AI disruption. He speaks at conferences, corporate leadership offsites, and industry events across Sweden, the Nordics, and Europe. Learn more about Amir's speaking topics and availability.