A future-forward perspective on the rapidly evolving world of commerce and global growth strategies, “Commerce Beyond Borders” provides critical insights, innov...
Global Retail Disruptors: AI, Omnichannel, and the Future of Shopping
In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Renee Hartman and Chris Baker sit down with Paula Macaggi, founder of the OFFbounds podcast, to discuss global retail innovation. Paula shares insights from her travels across Europe, Asia, South America, and North America, exploring the latest trends shaping the industry.
🔹 How AI and computer vision are driving the next wave of retail automation
🔹 The rise of omnichannel strategies and why in-store experiences still matter
🔹 Regional differences in AI adoption—from China’s rapid experimentation to Europe’s cautious approach
🔹 How social commerce, live streaming, and negotiation-based shopping are transforming consumer behavior
🔹 The future of sustainability in retail—beyond regulation, into real business impact
Join us as we uncover the most exciting developments in global retail and what’s next for the industry.
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39:22
The European AI Landscape: Balancing Ethics and Innovation with Michele Caruso
In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Renee Hartmann and Chris Baker welcome Michele Caruso, professor of AI and data marketing at the University of Paris Saclay and LIUC in Milan. Drawing from his extensive experience as former senior head of data and CX at WPP and as a consultant at Accenture and EY, Michele shares valuable insights into Europe's approach to AI adoption, ethical considerations, and competitive landscape in the global market.
Key Topics Discussed:
Europe's balanced approach to AI development: maintaining strong ethical standards while remaining competitive globally
Comparison of AI innovation approaches across regions: US ("fail fast, learn faster"), China (constraint-driven), and Europe (regulation-focused)
How regulatory constraints can potentially drive innovation in different ways
The multi-level pyramid of AI applications: from discovery and generation to optimization
The importance of balancing human and artificial intelligence rather than simply replacing human roles
How luxury brands like Pernod Ricard and Moet Hennessy are successfully implementing AI in creative marketing
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38:03
China's AI Ascent: DeepSeek, Constraints, and the Global Tech Race with Dan Wong
Join hosts Chris Baker (Hong Kong) and Renee Hartman (Portugal) on this week’s episode of Commerce Beyond Borders as they sit down with Dan Wong, AI Forum Director at the Conference Board, professor, and tech innovation veteran.
Fresh off the buzz around China’s DeepSeek—a groundbreaking AI model challenging Western counterparts with its cost-efficiency and open-source approach—Dan unpacks China’s rapid rise in the AI ecosystem. From his early days running an AI startup in Hangzhou in 2014 to navigating today’s geopolitical tensions, Dan shares firsthand insights into:
The inflection point in AI: How China’s constraints (like U.S. chip bans) fueled innovation.
DeepSeek’s disruption: Why smaller, cheaper models could redefine global AI adoption.
East vs. West: Contrasting development philosophies—scaling laws vs. pragmatic ingenuity.
Open-source vs. closed-source: What DeepSeek’s strategy signals for the future of AI collaboration.
Global implications: How businesses can navigate AI’s exponential growth amid geopolitical friction.
Whether you’re a tech leader, investor, or simply curious about AI’s next chapter, this episode offers a rare lens into China’s tech ecosystem and its ripple effects worldwide.
Subscribe to Commerce Beyond Borders for weekly deep dives into global business, tech, and cross-border innovation. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
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45:53
Why China’s Electric Vehicles Are Keeping Germany and Detroit Up at Night
In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Chris Baker and Renee Hartman are joined by Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights, to unpack why China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry has become a major source of anxiety for traditional automotive powerhouses like Germany and Detroit.
The conversation delves into how China’s rapid ascent in the EV market—driven by companies like BYD, NIO, and XPeng—has disrupted the global automotive landscape. Tu explains how Chinese automakers have leveraged government support, technological innovation, and a hyper-competitive domestic market to produce high-quality, affordable EVs that are now challenging established brands worldwide.
Key topics include the historical evolution of China’s auto industry, the role of Tesla in catalyzing China’s EV boom, and the strategic advantages Chinese companies hold in battery technology and software integration. Tu also highlights the challenges legacy automakers face, from organizational inertia to the shift toward digital-first, customer-centric business models.
The discussion goes beyond China’s borders, exploring how Chinese EVs are making inroads into Europe and other global markets, and what this means for the future of automotive manufacturing and trade. For anyone interested in the seismic shifts reshaping the auto industry, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at why China’s EV revolution is a wake-up call for the rest of the world.
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35:44
Digital Core, Human Layer: The Future of Global Retail Innovation
In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Renee Hartman and Chris Baker are joined by Carl Boutet, a seasoned expert in retail technology, digital media, and AI. Carl, a faculty lecturer at McGill University and author of Blind Spots, shares his insights on the global acceleration of AI and its impact on retail. He discusses how the pandemic forced rapid digital transformation, citing examples like Best Buy's swift implementation of click-and-collect services. Carl emphasizes the importance of balancing digital innovation with human connection, arguing that while AI is now a "hygiene factor" in business, differentiation will come from empathy and purpose. He also explores the uneven distribution of retail technology adoption globally, highlighting how regions like Asia are leading in certain areas, such as social commerce and live shopping. Carl advises retailers to focus on anticipation and differentiation, leveraging AI for operational efficiency while maintaining a human-centric approach to customer engagement. The conversation concludes with Carl's thoughts on the future of retail, including the potential of contextual commerce and the need for curiosity in exploring emerging markets. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of retail technology and AI.
A future-forward perspective on the rapidly evolving world of commerce and global growth strategies, “Commerce Beyond Borders” provides critical insights, innovative tactics and transformative trends shaping the future of global commerce.
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