The Future of Leadership and AI: 6 Insights from Davos

Spending a week in Davos during the World Economic Forum was an investment in understanding the fast-evolving intersection of leadership and AI.

AI dominated conversations—not as a distant concept but as an urgent reality shaping the future of leadership and work.

Like many others, I felt the urgency—call it FOBO (Fear of Becoming Obsolete)—to stay ahead of the curve.

Here are the key insights I took away:

1. AI Is Evolving Exponentially

AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace. According to Stanford’s 2024 AI Index Report, the number of large language models doubled between 2022 and 2023.

Leaders across sectors—government officials, Fortune 500 CEOs, and academic researchers—are grappling with the implications of this rapid development. The next two years promise even greater advancements, and staying informed is no longer optional.

2. Adopt AI Now

Leadership in the AI era requires urgency. As CEO executive coach Alisa Cohn puts it, “Don’t wait for it to be perfect. Don’t wait for it to go away—it’s not going anywhere. If you’re not adopting AI, you’re already behind.”

Organizations must start integrating AI into their workflows now, even as the technology continues to evolve. For example, companies leveraging AI in leadership development through AI coaching platforms, such as Valence, show that employees are more comfortable admitting weaknesses to an AI coach than to a human coach. This fosters honest self-reflection and accelerates skill development while removing social barriers that can hinder open dialogue.

3. Leadership Must Be Visible

Adopting AI isn’t just about the technology—it’s about fostering a culture of experimentation and visibility. Leaders must openly engage with AI, sharing their journey and demonstrating how they’re integrating it into their strategies. Visibility breeds trust and encourages employees to do the same.

As Harvard’s Amy Edmondson emphasizes, psychological safety is critical. Employees must feel secure enough to take risks, embrace AI, and share what they learn.

4. Rethinking Management

AI challenges traditional management mindsets. According to Francine Katsoudas , @Cisco’s Chief People Officer, managers must shift from controlling tasks to guiding employees.

This requires reimagining roles and fostering a culture of growth and adaptability. Companies need to invest in upskilling programs and ensure managers are equipped to coach employees through these transitions.

5. AI as a “Colleague”

By 2025, AI will effectively join the organizational chart as a “colleague,” says Parker Mitchell , Founder-CEO of Valence. This will demand new ways of collaborating and building trust with AI systems.

For example, AI systems might handle repetitive or data-intensive tasks—such as analyzing large datasets or generating predictive insights—while humans focus on strategic, creative, and interpersonal responsibilities.

The dynamic will require organizations to foster collaboration between human and AI “team members,” ensuring trust and transparency in how AI operates.

6. The Future of Skills Development

The long-term implications of AI adoption are profound. How will younger professionals develop critical skills if AI handles much of the complex work in the short term? As Harvard’s Amy Edmondson raises, this is a key question for leaders to address now.

Organizations must consider how to ensure skill-building opportunities for emerging professionals. This might involve deliberately creating "stretch assignments" that balance human and AI contributions, giving younger colleagues opportunities to learn critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Final Thoughts

AI is no longer a distant future—it’s here, reshaping how we work and lead, and the impact we have.

The challenge for leaders isn’t just to adapt but to guide their organizations through this transformation with clarity, courage, and creativity.

Do you have FOBO? Don’t worry—you're in good company. The differentiator is: are you a leader who is using it as fuel to act?

Are You a Purpose-Driven Leader?

Join us for the 2025 Women's Global leadership Forums this May—available both online and in-person.

?? This Year’s Theme: The Future of Leadership

Hear from inspiring leaders and experts on harnessing AI for greater impact in global development, humanitarian aid, and much more.

?? Secure your ticket now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of leadership.