Session Abstract
At Empowering Beyond Summit 2025, Kevin S. Parikh, Chairman and CEO of Avasant, delivered a compelling keynote that challenged conventional narratives about the future of globalization, labor, and AI. In a time when many are declaring the end of globalization and fearing widespread displacement due to artificial intelligence, Kevin offered a bold counterpoint: globalization isn’t ending—it’s evolving.
Through powerful real-world examples, Kevin introduced the concept of economic gravity: the idea that trade, talent, and capital will always flow toward opportunity, regardless of tariffs, geopolitical tensions, or technological upheaval. He argued that AI won’t eliminate jobs but will elevate the type of work we do, pushing global labor markets toward innovation, specialization, and value creation.
The keynote also tackled critical topics like the resilience of the U.S. dollar, the changing nature of global competency centers, and the role of Western alliances in preserving the principles of open markets and ethical technology. With urgency and optimism, Kevin called on business leaders to “pick a side” in a world that is becoming increasingly polarized, and to embrace the disruptive forces not as threats, but as catalysts for transformation.
“Inspiration Applied,” as he framed it, is about converting bold ideas into sustainable action. Globalization, Kevin reminded the audience, is not an outdated construct but a living, breathing mechanism for global collaboration and progress. The next chapter has already begun—and it’s being written by those who choose to lead.
