Leadership in the Age of AI

AI is merely a tool, decisions and accountability still rest firmly in the hands of leaders. Some time ago, I visited a higher education institution. What caught my attention was neither its facilities nor its reputation, but its classrooms—nearly empty. Student attendance had reportedly dropped by almost 80%, a figure that can hardly be seen as a positive sign. I then spoke with several students to understand this new phenomenon. Their answers were candid and straightforward: “If I can learn online, ask critical questions, and get instant answers, why should I come to class just to hear the same material as last year?”

That simple question reflects a much larger issue. It is not only about education, but also about business, organizations, and leadership. The real problem today is not technology moving too fast, but leadership that has yet to fully adapt. The presence of AI in our lives is indeed a double-edged sword—capable of helping, but also potentially harmful. Recent discussions around AI tend to fall into two camps. On one side, AI is glorified as the solution to nearly every problem. On the other, it is feared as a threat