The AI-Savvy Leader by David De Cremer applies timeless leadership wisdom to the very timely topic of artificial intelligence. Writing about rapidly emerging technologies can be challenging. The author has wisely focused his attention on skills that will continue to be valuable no matter what direction(s) AI takes. Even so, the book provides a timely critique of the mindset dominating many current corporate AI initiatives and explains how companies can avoid the same mistakes in the future.
I could summarize De Cremer’s main critique of business AI initiatives is that they are too focused on efficiency gains, undervaluing the contributions of humans and overemphasizing technology. Too often business (people) leaders are deferring to technology leaders, hurting their people and reducing the potential for the technology to truly help the business. De Cremer explains that instead of focusing on replacing people with AI, companies should focus on helping people do more/better with the help of technology.
To help leaders accomplish this, he proposes nine “leadership actions” they should embrace. He acknowledges that these are not new concepts, unique to the Connected Intelligence era, but rather core leadership activities that they already practice. The AI-Savvy Leader explains how to apply those practices in the context of AI’s introduction to the workforce.
The book is organized around these nine leadership actions. Each gets its own chapter. Each chapter starts by explaining how companies are falling short in applying that chapter’s leadership discipline as they deploy AI and the impact of those failures. The author then explains specifically how leaders need to change their thinking and acting. Most chapters contain at least one section made up of specific ways in which leaders can put the chapter’s concept into practice.
The book is easy to read. It doesn’t try to make bold controversial statements, but rather engages important topics with rational explanations, even as it often challenges conventional wisdom. It’s relatively short at less than 200 pages, but full of useful wisdom and helpful guidance. I strongly recommend The AI-Savvy Leader for anyone choosing, leading, or merely trying to survive AI initiatives in their business.