AI is everywhere, but will it take over everything?

Fears about AI stealing jobs are real and widespread. When simple prompts can create documents and presentations in mere moments, it seems like no work is safe. However, are their types of knowledge work that AI cannot do?

According to the Center for Creative Leadership, AI struggles to replicate wise leadership. Writers George Hallenbeck and David Altman explored this concept in their article titled, Lost in a Sea of Answers: The Case for Leadership Wisdom. They start the article by setting up the problem.

Leaders can generate more answers in less time than ever before. What’s becoming harder is knowing which answer deserves action, how it impacts others, and where accountability lies once a decision is made.

More answers don’t ensure greater knowledge.

What leads someone to greater knowledge? It is the result of diving into the information available, processing it, playing around with it, and then putting it into practice. Hallenbeck and Altman believe this is the path to growing wisdom, and it is a journey open to all.

What then is the important trait that allows leaders to thrive? It is the development of leadership wisdom. What do they mean by this idea? As they explain:

Our emerging perspective on leadership wisdom begins with the premise that it isn’t reserved for a select few, nor is it separate from the practice of leadership. Wisdom is a leadership capability that leaders can understand, build, and put to work — starting with what it’s often associated with: judgment and decision-making.

The writers believe that AI can assist leaders with identifying potential solutions to any problem. However, it takes sound judgement and wisdom to decide on the best course of action. AI by its very nature lacks these qualities, but humans can develop it.

AI can’t simply apply leadership judgment and wisdom. It has no way to reflect on a past decision and use what was learned, or empathize with the impact the decision may have on others and factor that into how to proceed. Nor can it engage in the collective sensemaking that infuses raw information with deeper meaning.

To learn more about the concept of leadership wisdom and how to develop it, I invite you to read the entire article.