27 Nov AI and the C-Suite: Good, Bad, or Ugly?

CEOs: Would you be okay with artificial intelligence (AI) taking *some* of your job?

Turns out, a number of CEOs aren’t opposed to at least a partial AI takeover, based on a recent survey from online education platform edX. The statement from a recent CNBC article was:

“Nearly half of CEOs—49%—say AI could effectively replace ‘most,’ or even ‘all,’ of their own roles, and 47% say it might even be a good thing.”

Why would that be a good thing?

Pros of AI Implementation in the C-Suite

edX founder Anant Agarwal, who now serves as chief platform officer of edX’s parent business 2U, has some thoughts about why CEOs are embracing the AI revolution, rather than resisting it.

For example, with AI handling mundane tasks, CEOs might focus more on vision and innovation. Agarwal notes that during his tenure as CEO, he spent much time on repetitive tasks like reports and presentations, which AI could efficiently handle. This could extend to other CEO responsibilities like market analysis and operational improvements.

Cons and Concerns

Where AI might fall short is when it comes to the important “soft skills” that are vital for CEOs, such as critical thinking, vision, creativity, and inspiring people. As advanced as AI can be in compiling data and predicting trends, it still takes a human brain to steer the ship.

Another area of concern is among non-executive workers. The executives surveyed predict that 49% of current workforce skills won’t be relevant by 2025, and 47% believe their workers aren’t prepared for the future work landscape.

Many workers are not learning new AI skills at their current jobs, which could lead to a significant shift in employment—with workers seeking jobs offering AI learning opportunities. This is particularly true among Gen Z.

The Future Is Here

The main message is that a majority of executives see AI as transformative and significant, possibly even more impactful than the internet. Agarwal advises not to fear AI taking away jobs, but rather to be wary of other workers who upskill in AI faster, potentially outcompeting those who don’t.

I’m curious: How are you using AI in your daily operations today? Do you find it helpful? In what ways?

While AI has a place in streamlining operations, there are some tasks it can’t do without guidance. If you’re looking to tighten up operations, whether it involves AI or not, I can help. You can contact me here via my website or email me directly at michael@consultstraza.com.