AI Is the Strategy: Rethinking Teams, Competition, and Business Models - Prof. René Bohnsack (Catolica, Lisbon)

Place: Room 3.216 and online.
Time: 12pm-1:30pm
Speaker: Prof. René Bohnsack - Catolica, Lisbon
Discussant :Thomas Van't Wout – Director Sales, Marketing and Communication - Bolt Influence

Biography of the speaker: René Bohnsack, PhD, is Professor for Strategy and Innovation and expert in the field of business model innovation, digital transformation and sustainable innovation. René has published his research in the leading international management and innovation journals (e.g. Research Policy, Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of International Business Studies), received the Best Paper Award at the Academy of Management ONE Division in 2019, in Sustainable Entrepreneurship in 2016, and the 3rd prize for the best innovation management paper 2013. René is the academic director of the Lisbon MBA and is leading the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica-Lisbon which works on advanced business model innovation and well-being in urban areas via sustainable technologies and digital transformation. Next to René’s academic accomplishments, he is also an avid entrepreneur and has founded several companies, for instance a virtual events platform (SCOOCS.co), an e-Health company (fitbase.de), or a business modelling platform (venturely.io).

Abstract: AI is not an add-on — it is rewriting how businesses are built, how they compete, and how they make money. This seminar brings together insights from three research streams of the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab to map out a new strategic playbook for the AI era. We start with teams where AI is no longer just a tool but a teammate. Based on interviews with AI-native startups, we explored how roles are shifting, teams are scaling leaner, and new talent profiles are emerging — all shaped by the presence of AI in the core of the venture. Then we zoom out to digital competition, where platforms like Unreal Engine show how AI is restructuring the architecture of ecosystems. With new “choke points” forming around data and learning loops, we need to rethink traditional notions of modularity and openness. Finally, we turn to business models — because when software can be built with prompts and intelligence is embedded in products, services, and processes, how companies create and monetize value changes too. One technology, three layers and a clear message: when AI enters the picture, strategy, organization, and business models all need a rethink.

For further information, please contact Professor Margherita Pagani: margherita.pagani@skema.edu