In boardrooms and executive suites across the globe, a quiet revolution is underway.
Artificial intelligence, once relegated to the realm of science fiction or specialized tech departments, has firmly embedded itself in the daily routines of top leadership.
But for those of us navigating the AI landscape from the trenches, a compelling question arises: Is the corner office employing these potent tools in the same manner we are?
A recent glimpse into the habits of seven prominent executives reveals a landscape far more nuanced and strategically deployed than one might initially assume, moving beyond mere task automation to become a digital confidante, coach, and strategic partner.
Gone are the days when AI was solely about crunching numbers or automating repetitive tasks.
Today’s leaders are leveraging it for deeply personal and strategically critical applications.
Consider Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, who has embraced AI not just for business metrics, but for personal refinement.
He uploads videos of his keynotes into large language models (LLMs), seeking candid feedback on his public speaking.
The AI, with its impartial eye, flags an awkward hand gesture or a missed beat, offering specific timestamped suggestions for improvement – an invaluable, objective coaching resource that traditional human feedback might miss or be too polite to deliver. For more on AI coaching, see Valence – AI Coaching for Every Manager.
Similarly, Cisco’s chief people, policy, and purpose officer, Francine Katsoudas, taps into AI for guidance on “tricky conversations,” using it as a sounding board to strategize her approach before difficult interpersonal exchanges.
This isn’t just about polishing communication; it’s about refining leadership presence and emotional intelligence, albeit with a digital assistant.
The strategic applications extend deeply into core business functions.
Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, exemplifies this, treating AI as an indispensable research assistant.
Whether prepping for an earnings call, dissecting a lengthy report, or formulating a pricing strategy, Levie uses tools like ChatGPT and others to rapidly synthesize information and identify best practices.
This transforms mountains of data into actionable insights with unprecedented speed, allowing leaders to make more informed decisions under pressure.
Walmart’s chief people officer, Donna Morris, oversees the largest private workforce in the US, and her use of AI underscores its transformative potential in human resources. For insights on AI’s role in HR, see Aon’s report on AI in HR.
Morris employs AI tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT to identify potential candidates for leadership roles, quickly sifting through vast pools of talent to pinpoint individuals with the precise background and experience needed.
This dramatically streamlines the initial stages of recruitment, moving beyond traditional platforms to uncover unexpected fits.
IBM’s Corinne Sklar further illustrates AI’s impact on HR efficiency, citing the company’s internal AskHR agent, which has automated 94% of HR tasks, particularly simplifying complex processes like employee transfers.
This isn’t just about saving time; it’s about liberating HR professionals from bureaucratic entanglement, allowing them to focus on more strategic, human-centric initiatives. This dramatic change in HR efficiency aligns with research presented by IBM.
IBM projects a staggering $4.5 billion in productivity gains by year-end, a testament to AI’s systemic impact.
Beyond these high-level strategic and coaching roles, AI also serves as a vital everyday assistant, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
Lisa Stevens, Aon’s chief administrative officer, relies on AI for rapid research before crucial meetings and to distill complex information into concise executive summaries.
This ensures she walks into every interaction armed with the latest insights, saving precious preparation time. For a comprehensive overview of AI applications in business, see McKinsey’s insights on AI in the workplace.
Sravana Karnati, Walmart’s EVP of Global Tech platforms, uses AI to look up unfamiliar terminology and, perhaps most tellingly, to review every important email he sends.
For a tech executive, AI also becomes a crucial partner in code generation and debugging, accelerating development cycles.
What emerges from these executive confessions is a picture of AI as a pervasive, versatile partner, adapting to the unique demands of leadership.
It’s a research analyst that never sleeps, a public speaking coach with no ego, and an HR manager capable of Herculean administrative feats.
Yet, despite its burgeoning capabilities, the human element remains paramount.
Karnati’s candid admission about sometimes having to correct AI-generated responses, and Stevens’ emphasis on verifying information, serve as crucial reminders.
AI, in its current iteration, is a powerful amplifier of human intent and intelligence, not a replacement for critical thinking or nuanced judgment.
The executives’ adoption of AI signals a profound shift in how leadership operates.
It’s no longer about merely understanding technology, but about strategically integrating it into every facet of decision-making, communication, and operational efficiency.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the roles of those at the helm, moving towards a future where human ingenuity, augmented by artificial intelligence, can unlock unprecedented levels of productivity and insight.
The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in mastering this powerful collaboration, ensuring that the machine serves human purpose, rather than dictating it.
