AI Needs More Than Automation | Schneider Electric

Join us on the latest episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast as we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the industry with Valerie Beaulieu James, the Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup. Learn how AI is reshaping talent architecture, enhancing productivity, and addressing the widening threat of inequality. 

At Schneider Electric, AI-assisted maintenance has delivered remarkable impact—reducing technician turnover from 50% to just 6% while also accelerating product launches and improving operational efficiency.

The conversation highlights that effective AI adoption depends on trust built through skilling, leadership, and aligning dataset, skillset, and mindset.

They also explore how to make industry more attractive to youth, elevate vocational roles, learn from Switzerland’s apprenticeship model, redefine productivity as better outputs rather than “more with less,” and address digital divide risks, including for frontline workers and women.

Speaker:

Valerie Beaulieu-James

Valerie Beaulieu-James is Chief Growth and Innovation Officer of ManpowerGroup, where she leads the company’s global commercial strategy across Sales, Marketing, and Insights to accelerate growth and innovation across its family of brands. With more than 30 years of global experience spanning technology, workforce solutions, and go-to-market transformation, Valerie brings a proven track record of scaling businesses through strategic and AI-driven innovation. She previously held senior leadership roles at Microsoft across Europe, North America, and APAC, including U.S. Chief Marketing Officer, and serves on the Board of Orange.