The Role of the Leaders in Modern Companies in the AI Era

Dr. Ing. Stefano Novaresi

CEO KNAPP Italy - Adjunct Professor Catholic University , Milan

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a uniquely transformative force amidst the digital age game-changers. Its algorithms and neural networks, inspired by human brain processes, empower machines to learn, adapt, and make decisions in ways previously thought exclusive to humans. This profound shift in our societies leads us to ask, “What roles will humans play when machines can think (or seem to be thinking)”? “What will work, and value contribution mean when AI-driven processes become commonplace”?

These are some of the fundamental questions that business leaders need to focus on and find a way to manage.

AI’s Impact on Leadership

When it comes to leadership, we find ourselves on the cusp of a profound transformation.

Many questions arise and to give in advance an answer is not easy and most probably not possible.

For example:

What remains for leaders as AI systems begin to shoulder some of the responsibilities?

Where will our actual value lie?

Can AI enhance and empower leadership, actually helping make leaders be more “human”?. This means focusing on the core leadership qualities of awareness, wisdom, and compassion, as well as taking on a both/and mindset.

The “AI-augmented leader” can leverage both the power of AI and develop their most human qualities, bringing the best of both human and machine to their leadership practice?

In this perspective AI potential to free time increasing productivity on routine work, potentially can act as an enabler to eliminate the excuse I am too busy to take care of my team needs and to spend more time to focus on soft but essential element of groups dynamics.

AI’s Influence on Work

AI’s impact now spans the spectrum from intricate data analysis to fields like customer service.

However, incorporating AI into the workforce goes beyond just automating routine tasks. As many as 30% of tasks in about 60% of jobs hold the potential for automation many different research are stating. Some restructuring issues affecting big corporations seem to confirm. These projections don’t necessarily translate to a scary, jobless future. But they underscore a pivotal shift in our roles and responsibilities, where adaptability becomes paramount. The ability to re-design organization, roles, ways to interact become then vital.

AI’s Impact on Teams and Collaboration

Regarding teams, it’s evident how massively AI has already influenced communication and workflows via integration within many existing collaboration platforms and as inspiration for many new ones. As AI continues to evolve, a future vision swiftly emerges—one where interdisciplinary teams collaborate more frequently and, with AI-powered real-time translation tools, language barriers fall away.

But there is big but, in my opinion. The increased options to communicate, remotely and easily do not bring automatically to the result to increase a real and effective collaboration. Fundamental question is: is that easier and frequent opportunity to talk each other, even if “virtually”, is really improving effective decisions? Is a rhetoric question that contains the real risk that a lot of time is spent in useless meeting with no development of sense of responsibility and increase of know-how. Leaders should take this point in their agenda.

Leadership in the Age of AI

Not all company leaders should be or become super-expert on AI but to understand the principles is an effort to be done independently from age and generation belonging.

As A. Toffler said, “the illiterate of the XXI century will not be whose who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn…”, so continuous learning is nowadays a must.

Why is it so important with regards to this new powerful technology?

An AI-literate business leader can serve as the liaison between technologists and line of business users, helping data scientists understand what is needed, while also helping the workforce use AI to its most valuable end. Leaders should develop initiatives and frameworks to embrace new technologies in the pursuit of fluency and mastery of digital and AI skills. Leaders should focus on three big shifts that will set their businesses up for new levels of success in the age of AI.

They should:

1.       Redefine jobs as a collection of skills and tasks, not titles.

2.       Bring skills and workforce learning to the center of talent management.

3.       Embrace AI to focus teams on human-to-human collaboration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of the leader in modern companies in the era of AI is significant and multifaceted. It involves understanding, managing, and effectively utilizing AI for individual growth, group dynamics, and organizational success. The leaders of the future will need to be adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and able to leverage the power of AI to enhance their leadership practice.

#leadership

#AI

#emotionalintelligence

#personaldevelopment