Sherzod Odilov
AI is no longer just a technological tool. It's a significant societal influencer, reshaping the way we work, communicate and interact. As it becomes increasingly accessible, its transformative power is being recognized by organizations worldwide, leading to the introduction of a new leadership role: the Chief AI Officer. However, the evolution of AI impacts every aspect of an organization, from strategy and operations to processes and culture. Consequently, the responsibility for AI can no longer be relegated to a single individual or department. Instead, every modern leader must view AI as a strategic imperative and a fundamental competency. In essence, they must become 'Chief AI Officers' themselves, assuming three critical roles: AI Expert, AI Coach and AI Movement Maker.
1. AI Expert
Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. In fact, according to a recent survey by Korn Ferry, over 82% of senior leaders believe AI will have a significant impact on their business. In addition, The Conference Board found that 56% of workers are already using generative AI on the job. That means every modern leader needs to become an AI expert, not necessarily a technical one, but someone who understands the basics: what AI can and cannot do and how it can be applied to their own domain.
A pivotal competency for these modern leaders will be the ability to identify the opportunities and challenges that AI can effectively address within their field. They must possess the acumen to evaluate the feasibility of AI solutions for their unique problems. Moreover, these leaders will need to diligently monitor the performance and impact of AI systems within their domain. Only then can they confidently guide their organizations through the ongoing AI transformation journey.
2. AI Coach
According to a recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association, 51% of workers express concerns about AI potentially rendering their job duties obsolete. This apprehension is associated with negative mental health and feelings of undervaluation at work. One possible reason for this is that organizations are primarily investing in upskilling leaders in AI, while front-line employees may feel left behind. This underscores the importance of every leader becoming an AI coach for their immediate teams.
A critical skill for these modern leaders will be their ability to foster the right mindsets and behaviors within their teams. As AI coaches, leaders will need to assess their teams' readiness for AI, guide its use, set clear expectations and address potential risks such as bias, privacy, security, potential job loss and compliance. Equally important will be their advocacy for equitable investment in upskilling front-line employees and the creation of a culture of continuous learning. This will empower employees at all levels to feel supported and motivated to enhance their AI skills.
3. AI Movement Maker
As organizations embrace AI, it becomes important for every leader to actively drive a broader movement that addresses the transformative changes resulting from its adoption. This entails fostering collaboration with other departments and functions to ensure seamless integration of efforts and alignment of vision for the use of AI. Additionally, leaders will need to play a crucial role in establishing comprehensive ethical guidelines, sharing their own lessons learned and addressing the impact of AI not only on their own teams but also on customers, partners and beyond.
The reality is that successfully adopting AI at scale necessitates modern leaders who not only possess change management skills but also have the ability to effectively deploy and sustain change across all levels of the organization. This includes top-down, bottom-up and peer-to-peer approaches, all while continuously adapting to the rapid pace of AI development.
In essence, leading in the age of AI mandates a new leadership ethos where every modern leader is, in fact, a Chief AI Officer. This shift isn't simply a nice to have but a strategic imperative in today's rapidly evolving digital world.
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