Strong leadership has always been vital for business success, but as workplaces evolve, so must leadership styles. With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), traditional management practices are being reshaped. Christy Pambianchi, Chief People Officer at Intel, observes that leadership is undergoing a significant transformation as workplaces change, emphasizing the shift from old practices to new ones driven by AI.
A key concept emerging in modern leadership is the distinction between “AI pilots” and “AI passengers,” introduced by BetterUp in collaboration with Stanford Social Media Lab. Their research, which surveyed over 10,000 workers across 18 industries, found that managers who actively drive AI integration (“AI pilots”) are three times more likely to inspire the same proactive approach in their teams. These AI-driven workplaces are significantly more productive and foster greater employee loyalty. However, only 28% of the workforce currently embodies this “pilot” mindset, with the majority remaining passive.
Ted Mabrey, Global Head of Commercial Business at Palantir, highlights how AI is revolutionizing work processes by making systems more flexible and reducing the need for manual labor. This shift allows employees to focus on their core responsibilities and encourages leaders to prioritize innovation over task execution. Pambianchi adds that AI also enhances leadership by providing personalized insights into team dynamics, allowing managers to lead more effectively.
AI serves not only as a tool for efficiency but also as a “sparring partner” for leaders, challenging them to think creatively and improve. Sathish Muthukrishnan, Chief Information, Data, and Digital Officer at Ally Financial, underscores the importance of AI literacy across organizations, enabling employees and leaders to apply their expertise to more complex problems. Recent data from Zero to Mastery shows that nearly 28% of team leads are encouraging the use of AI tools, reflecting AI’s growing role in the workplace.
Despite the technological advancements, core leadership values like empathy, support, and creating a psychologically safe environment remain unchanged. Pambianchi emphasizes the importance of applying ethics and values to AI usage, ensuring technology enhances rather than undermines leadership principles.
READ ALSO
As AI continues to shape the future of work, leaders must anticipate changes in roles and guide their teams accordingly. Pambianchi warns that just because AI can do something doesn’t mean it should, stressing the critical role of leaders in ensuring ethical AI use aligned with organizational values.
