AI playbooks for industry leaders

Plus, key takeaways to help you level up fast.

Author

Lewis Walker
January 07, 2026

Welcome executives and professionals. What works in one industry often fails in another: different regulations, processes, risk tolerance, decision-making structures, among other nuances.

Industry-specific playbooks capture th proven use cases, architectures, and implementation paths that actually work in your sector.

That’s why I’ve reviewed hundreds of AI playbooks for industry leaders and outlined the top 30 across 15 verticals to help you lead your industry.

Financial Services

  • Deloitte published a blueprint for banks to scale agentic AI and automate workflows.

  • UK Finance shared opportunities and risk management for generative AI in finance.

  • BCG released a 2025 retail banking report on the new era of AI-first operations.

  • BCG published an "AI Reckoning" report on how banks must adapt to agentic tech.

  • WEF shared a 2025 roadmap for AI implementation across global financial markets.

  • BCG detailed the revolutionary impact of agentic AI on "Know Your Customer" tasks.

Consumer

  • BCG shared perspectives on building AI-first companies within consumer products.

  • WEF released a guide on transforming consumer industries through AI innovation.

Healthcare

  • BCG published a playbook for MedTech firms to pivot toward AI-first strategies.

  • Menlo VC shared a 2025 perspective on the state of AI across medical sectors.

  • KPMG outlined how to realize AI value in MedTech across the Asia-Pacific region.

  • EY released a joint report with Microsoft on AI in the life sciences industry.

Life Sciences

  • Deloitte shared a 63-slide report on AI regulations for global life sciences firms.

  • Intuition Labs compared AI agents versus standard workflows within pharma IT.

Manufacturing

  • BCG shared perspectives on unlocking the hidden value of AI in manufacturing.

  • Capgemini published a report with Microsoft on the AI imperative in industry.

  • WEF released a 26-page paper on Physical AI and robotics for industrial growth.

  • Accenture shared a study on rethinking the course toward a manufacturing future.

  • NTT Data detailed how to shape the AI-powered factory of the future for growth.

  • PwC published a whitepaper on unleashing the potential of GenAI in industry.

  • TCS shared a survey report on digital twins and future-ready manufacturing.

  • ACC published a 64-page toolkit for in-house lawyers to leverage AI safely.

  • Thomson Reuters shared a definitive guide to AI-powered legal drafting today.

  • LexisNexis released an AI buyers guide for legal professionals in late 2025.

  • KPMG outlined the journey from data to wisdom in modern legal AI frameworks.

Retail

  • BCG shared perspectives on the evolution of AI-first companies in retail.

  • BCG detailed how retailers must respond to the rise of agentic commerce.

  • Deloitte published a report on unlocking value through GenAI in retail ops.

  • Kearney released a report on retail disruption caused by agentic commerce.

Telecom

  • Microsoft shared an updated AI partner playbook for the telecommunications sector.

  • SoftBank detailed breakthroughs in AI-RAN and the future of telecom networks.

  • McKinsey published a guide on scaling the AI-native telco for better efficiency.

  • WEF released a 2025 report on AI applications in the telecom industry.

  • Capgemini shared an agentic AI solution brochure for modern telecom operators.

  • Infosys published insights on how agentic AI boosts telecom efficiency.

Government & Public Sector

  • DHS released a playbook for generative AI deployment in the public sector.

  • PwC shared a paper with Microsoft on agentic AI for government services.

  • UK Government published a 2025 AI playbook for efficient civil service ops.

  • NPCC detailed an AI playbook for policing and public safety in 2025.

Energy

  • Allianz published a 30-page paper on the global data center construction boom.

  • BCG shared a new strategic AI playbook for renewable energy companies.

  • WEF detailed the energy paradox of AI and sustainability with Accenture.

  • Deutsche Bank released a report on the energy requirements of the AI revolution.

  • IEA published a 2025 report on the intersection of global energy and AI.

  • Microsoft shared how to accelerate sustainability using AI in the energy sector.

Education

  • Microsoft released a 2025 report on AI's impact across global education.

  • Stanford shared an accelerator report on advancing AI in educational systems.

  • IU Kelley published an AI playbook for academic and professional excellence.

Marketing

  • IAB shared a "State of Data" report on AI's role in advertising in 2025.

  • BCG detailed the future of marketing as shaped by generative AI agents.

Logistics

  • Capgemini released a 92-slide report on AI-powered and sustainable supply chains.

  • WEF shared a guide to intelligent transport for a greener future with McKinsey.

Software

  • Bain detailed how agentic AI might disrupt the SaaS landscape by late 2025.

  • Teneo published playbooks on turning AI innovations into sustainable growth.

Automotive

  • BCG shared perspectives on the transition to AI-first companies in automotive.

  • OpenAI explored if AI agents will become the ultimate automotive sales advisors.

MORE MUST-READ BREAKDOWNS

ENTERPRISE AI EXECUTIVE

Agentic and generative AI are evolving rapidly in the enterprise, driving a new era of AI transformation.

Twice a week, we review hundreds of the latest agentic and generative AI best practices, case studies, market dynamics and innovations to bring you what is driving material value — and why it’s important.

Example sample editions:

  • Deloitte's agentic enterprise 2028 blueprint.

  • OpenAI's best practices from 300 implementations.

  • What board directors need to know.

  • The next trillion-dollar opportunity.

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Lewis Walker, Editor

In today’s briefing:

  • Deloitte’s State of Generative AI in the Enterprise Q4 report.

  • xxx

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  • Transformation and technology in the news.

  • Career opportunities & events.

Read time: 4 minutes.

MARKET INSIGHT

Image source: Deloitte

Brief: Deloitte's latest quarterly survey, drawing insights from 2,773 director- to C-suite-level leaders across 14 countries, explores trends, barriers, and opportunities in gen AI adoption, offering insights on organizational adaptability, regulation, and agentic AI.

Breakdown:

  • Most organizations aren’t moving as fast as technological innovation. 78% of respondents plan to increase AI spending in the next fiscal year.

  • Regulatory compliance is now the top concern hindering gen AI deployment, rising from 28% in Q1 to 38% in Q4.

  • IT is the most mature gen AI function, with cybersecurity, operations, marketing, and customer service also seeing strong results.

  • Gen AI deployments are increasingly aimed at areas critical for industry-specific competitive differentiation.

  • C-suite leaders are more optimistic about gen AI, expecting barriers to be overcome and value delivered faster than other leaders anticipate.

Why it’s important: The report conveys pragmatic optimism. Seventy-four percent of respondents say their most advanced gen AI initiative meets or exceeds ROI expectations. Six real-world case studies are highlighted, showcasing enterprise results. However, achieving widespread success requires patience and hard work.

BEST PRACTICE INSIGHT

Image source: Accenture

Brief: Axxx

Breakdown:

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Why it’s important: Bxxx

INNOVATION INSIGHT

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Brief: Oxxx

Breakdown:

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Why it’s important: Sxxx

INDUSTRY INSIGHT & CASE STUDIES

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Brief: Txxx

Breakdown:

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Why it’s important: Txxx

Goldman Sachs introduced GS AI Assistant, an in-house tool supporting over 10,000 employees with tasks like email drafting and code translation.

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Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stated in a Davos interview that the company is developing a two-way voice mode for Claude and smarter models for release in the coming months.

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Pfizer - Director AI Products

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EVENTS

Deloitte - Agentic AI Unlocking Gen AI’s Full Potential - February 4, 2025

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Originally conceived as a practical communication for executives the editor, Lewis Walker, has worked with, this briefing now serves as a trusted resource for thousands of senior decision-makers shaping the future of enterprise AI.

If your AI product or service adds value to this audience, contact us for information on a limited number of sponsorship opportunities.

We also welcome feedback as we continue to refine the briefing.

Lewis Walker, Editor