News•Feb 11, 2026
AI and the Real Questions Business Leaders Should Be Asking
At this year’s NRF conference, artificial intelligence dominated the agenda, with retailers showcasing AI‑driven supply chains, search, and HR tools. Yet the event largely ignored deeper societal concerns such as job displacement, consumer trust, and ethical boundaries. Futurist Doug Stephens used a commissioned session to spotlight those uncomfortable questions, prompting a surprisingly engaged discussion among senior executives. The shift indicates a growing appetite for balanced dialogue about AI’s broader impact beyond immediate business gains.
