At the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a compelling session brought together two influential voices shaping the future of business in the age of artificial intelligence. Founder of Flight Story and one of the world’s most impactful media entrepreneurs, Steven Bartlett and co-founder and CEO of AI company Sierra and former co-CEO of Salesforce, Brett Taylor shared candid insights on how technology, leadership, and creativity are redefining modern enterprise. Steven Bartlett and Brett Taylor share insights on AI, leadership, and enterprise growth during a high-level session at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Set against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty and rapid technological acceleration, the session offered a rare intersection of media, enterprise software, and human-centered leadership.
Steven Bartlett’s entrepreneurial journey has been defined by an acute understanding of people, culture, and attention. Through Flight Story, he has built a modern media company that goes beyond content distribution to co-own intellectual property with creators, develop long-term brands, and apply data-driven intelligence to creative strategy. Speaking in Davos, Bartlett explained that while creators today have unprecedented reach, sustainable scale requires structure, systems, and strategic alignment.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: AFC CEO Reveals Strategy to Unlock Domestic, International Investments at Davos
He highlighted how artificial intelligence has enabled his platforms to unlock global audiences at speed, particularly through real-time translation and localization. Nearly a third of Flight Story’s audience now comes from non-English-speaking markets, a shift Bartlett described as transformative. Yet he was clear that AI does not replace creativity. Instead, it elevates the importance of trust, emotional depth, and storytelling in a world increasingly saturated with content.
From the enterprise perspective, Brett Taylor offered insights drawn from decades of building and scaling technology companies at the highest level. Now leading Sierra, Taylor described AI as the breakthrough that finally digitizes complex, human-driven business processes, particularly customer interaction. By deploying AI agents capable of reasoning and conversation, companies can deliver personalized service at scale while dramatically lowering operational costs.
Taylor emphasized that the next generation of market-defining companies will be built around vertical-specific AI solutions rather than generalized platforms. In his view, founders who deeply understand real-world workflows and apply AI to eliminate friction will create the most durable value. Software development costs are collapsing, he noted, making insight, execution, and differentiation the true competitive advantages.
Both speakers reflected on how AI is reshaping leadership and professional identity. Taylor observed that leaders are increasingly required to manage intelligent systems rather than individual contributors, while Bartlett underscored the importance of adaptability, self-awareness, and long-term thinking in navigating constant change.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Davos 2026: Trump Presents U.S. as the New Global Growth Engine
Addressing funding and growth, Taylor cautioned that the AI sector is experiencing intense capital inflows that will likely lead to consolidation. Bartlett shared that Flight Story has prioritized profitability and long-term brand equity, maintaining strategic flexibility while resisting short-term pressures.
The session concluded with a shared sense of cautious optimism. Despite the speed of disruption, both leaders agreed that this moment represents one of the most significant opportunities for entrepreneurs in modern history. For those able to combine technology with human insight and disciplined execution, the potential for impact is extraordinary.
As conversations at Davos continue to shape the global business agenda, the dialogue between Steven Bartlett and Brett Taylor stood out as a forward-looking examination of how leaders can build resilient, meaningful companies in an AI-driven world.
