Permission to prompt: AI’s path from experimentation to scale

Your business
Insights

John Stackhouse, Sonia Sennik and Google Chief Economist Fabien Curto Millet discuss AI adoption, productivity and jobs.

2 June 2026 | 2 minute read

By RBC Thought Leadership

AI is no longer a future technology. It is already changing how work gets done, how companies make decisions and how economies compete.

This special edition of Disruptors was recorded at the Creative Destruction Lab’s Super Session during Toronto Tech Week. Host John Stackhouse is joined by Fabien Curto Millet, chief economist at Google and Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), to explore AI adoption, productivity and jobs.

Millet brings a global view of AI adoption: where the data is showing productivity gains, why the jobs conversation is more nuanced than the headlines suggest and why simple interventions like training, guidelines and encouragement can unlock experimentation. Sennik brings the founder and commercialisation lens from CDL, where hundreds of science-based startups are working across AI, health, energy, agriculture, manufacturing and more.

Together, they explore why AI is moving fast but unevenly, why some sectors and workers are pulling ahead while others remain cautious and what leaders need to do to move from pilots to scaled workflow redesign. The gains will depend on adoption – especially among SMEs, public institutions and the sectors that make up the bulk of the economy.

Think of it as an AI adoption blueprint for you and your organization.

FAQs

What is this episode of Disruptors about?

John Stackhouse speaks with Sonia Sennik of Creative Destruction Lab and Fabien Curto Millet, chief economist at Google, about jobs, productivity, business adoption and competitiveness.

Where was the episode recorded?

The conversation was recorded at the Creative Destruction Lab Super Session on the University of Toronto campus.

What does the episode say about AI and jobs?

The conversation argues for a more nuanced jobs discussion. AI will affect tasks inside jobs and change workflows, but current labour-market data does not support the simplest version of mass job-loss panic.

What is the leadership challenge around AI?

The leadership challenge is moving from experimentation to scale: giving workers permission and training, setting guidelines, choosing high-value workflows and redesigning operating systems rather than treating AI as a side tool.

What should businesses do now?

Start with practical experimentation, train teams, create clear guidelines, identify lighthouse workflows and focus on AI to increase capacity, quality and speed – not just as a cost-cutting tool.

This article was originally published on RBC Thought Leadership.


This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. The reader is solely liable for any use of the information contained in this document and Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) nor any of its affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall be held responsible for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of this document by the reader. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.

This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, which are subject to RBC’s caution regarding forward-looking statements. ESG (including climate) metrics, data and other information contained on this website are or may be based on assumptions, estimates and judgements. For cautionary statements relating to the information on this website, refer to the “Caution regarding forward-looking statements” and the “Important notice regarding this document” sections in our latest climate report or sustainability report, available at: https://www.rbc.com/our-impact/sustainability-reporting/index.html. Except as required by law, none of RBC nor any of its affiliates undertake to update any information in this document.

This publication has been issued by RBC’s Wealth Management international division in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands which is comprised of an international network of RBC® companies located in these jurisdictions and includes RBC Europe Limited and Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited. You should carefully read any risk warnings or regulatory disclosures in this publication or in any other literature accompanying this publication or transmitted to you by RBC’s Wealth Management international division.

This publication has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied is made to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. All opinions and estimates contained in this report are judgements as of the date of this report, are subject to change without notice and are provided in good faith but without legal responsibility. This report is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Past performance is not a guide to future performance, the value of investments and income arising can go down, future returns are not guaranteed, and an investor may not get back the amount originally invested. Countries throughout the world have their own laws regulating the types of securities and other investment products and services which may be offered to their residents, as well as the process for doing so. As a result, any securities or services discussed in this report may not be eligible for sale in some jurisdictions. This report is not, and under no circumstances should be construed as, a solicitation to act as a securities broker or dealer in any jurisdiction by any person or company that is not legally permitted to carry on the business of a securities broker or dealer in that jurisdiction. Nothing in this report constitutes legal, accounting or tax advice or individually tailored investment advice.

This material is prepared for general circulation and does not have regard to the particular circumstances or needs of any specific person who may read it. The investments or services contained in this report may not be suitable for you and it is recommended that you consult an independent investment advisor if you are in doubt about the suitability of such investments or services. To the full extent permitted by law none of the entities which comprise the international division of RBC Wealth Management nor any of their affiliates, nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this report or the information contained herein. No matter contained in this document may be reproduced or copied by any means without the prior consent of RBC Wealth Management.

Clients of RBC Europe Limited may be entitled to compensation from the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if it cannot meet its obligations. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. For further information about the compensation provided by the FSCS scheme (including the amounts covered and eligibility to claim) please refer to the FSCS website FSCS.org.uk. Please note only compensation related queries should be directed to the FSCS. Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited is not covered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
RBC Europe Limited is registered in England and Wales with company number 995939. Its registered office is 100 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AA. RBC Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited (“the Bank”) is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission in the conduct of deposit taking, fund services and investment business in Jersey. The Bank’s general terms and conditions are updated from time to time and can be found at https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-uk/terms-and-conditions. Registered office: Gaspé House, 66-72 Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3QT, Channel Islands. Deposits made with Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited in Jersey are not covered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited is a participant in the Jersey Bank Depositors Compensation Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme aims to provide protection for eligible depositors of up to £50,000. For further information about the Scheme and to understand your eligibility, please refer to www.jrdca.org.je/jdcs.

Investment services offered by the Bank are not covered by an investor compensation scheme as there is currently no such scheme operating in Jersey, however ‘eligible deposits’ held pursuant to investment services may be protected under the Bank Depositors Compensation Scheme described above – for more information see the Bank’s general terms and conditions. Some of the products that the Bank might recommend to you could be registered overseas and may be covered by a local compensation scheme. Your investment counsellor will provide you with the details of any overseas compensation schemes (where applicable) at the time of making an investment recommendation.

Copies of the latest audited accounts are available upon request from the registered office.
® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.


Let’s connect


We want to talk about your financial future.

Related articles

The promise and peril of AI

Global insights 7 min read
The promise and peril of AI

Data centre power struggle

Global insights 11 min read
Data centre power struggle

Quantum computing and the next technology contest

Global insights 18 min read
Quantum computing and the next technology contest