Exploring futuristic trends for corporate leaders and executives so they can stay ahead in the era of AI & Robotics.
Welcome to the deep dive with the Future of Leadership Summit. We're gonna be spending about 10 minutes unpacking some really interesting ideas about, what's next for leaders like you, especially when it comes to AI.
Speaker 2:And, it's all based on some solid research and projections from Avanade, which, as you know, is a leading digital innovator Mhmm. In a recent article. Agentic AI, what to know now about the next big breakthrough. Really lays out a vision of how AI is gonna change the game.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've all heard about AI. It's kind of unavoidable these days. But what is this agentic AI? Is it just another buzzword?
Speaker 2:It's definitely more than a buzzword. It's a fundamental shift in how AI operates. You see, up until now, we've been mostly working with AI tools that are essentially very sophisticated assistants. They're reactive. They wait for a command, and then they perform a task.
Speaker 2:Think about scheduling a meeting with your Microsoft 365 Copilot. That's a great example.
Speaker 1:Right. It's helpful Yes. But it's not exactly making independent decisions.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Agentic AI is about creating AI agents that are proactive and autonomous. They can operate within a defined area of expertise, analyze data, make decisions, and take action, all without constant human direction. It's like having a team of experts who never sleep, constantly learn, and can process information at a scale we can only dream of.
Speaker 1:So instead of just telling my AI to schedule a meeting, it could be analyzing my entire marketing budget, looking for inefficiencies, and then reallocating funds based on what it finds, all without me having to lift a finger.
Speaker 2:That's the idea. And that's why this is so important for leaders. Avanade's research actually found that 59% of decision makers are expecting a 4 fold return on their return on their AI investments
Speaker 1:within a year. Wow. Four times their investment. It's a huge potential upside. Yeah.
Speaker 1:What makes them so confident?
Speaker 2:It comes down to efficiency and scale. Think about customer service. An AI agent could potentially handle a huge volume of customer interactions simultaneously, personalizing responses, resolving issues, and even proactively identifying potential problems before they arise. No more long wait times. No more frustrated customers.
Speaker 2:And businesses save money by automating a large part of their customer service operations.
Speaker 1:It's almost like having a team of superpowered employees who can work around the clock without needing breaks or vacations.
Speaker 2:And that's just one example. Imagine this applied to software development where AI agents could be writing code, managing projects, and even testing software updates with incredible speed and accuracy, or in finance, where they could analyze market trends, identify investment opportunities, and manage risk in ways that are simply impossible for humans to do on their own.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about automating tasks. It's about giving businesses a whole new level of capability and competitiveness.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's why 85% of decision makers in Avanade survey are worried about falling behind. If they don't jump on this AI wave quickly, they see this as a fundamental shift, not just a passing trend.
Speaker 1:Okay. So the potential is huge, and the sense of urgency is real. But for leaders who are listening, how do they actually start integrating agentic dot ai into the organizations? Where do they even begin?
Speaker 2:Well, the first step is to shift your thinking. It's not about replacing humans with AI. It's about figuring out how to create a powerful partnership between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Each has its strengths, and the key is to leverage both effectively.
Speaker 1:So it's not about humans versus machines. It's about humans and machines working together.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Humans excel at things like creativity, critical thinking, and building relationships. AI agents are amazing at analyzing massive amounts of data, identifying patterns, and automating complex tasks with speed and precision. By combining these strengths, we can achieve things that were simply impossible before.
Speaker 1:That makes sense.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But it also sounds pretty daunting. How do you actually go about integrating these AI agents into existing workflows and systems?
Speaker 2:It's not as difficult as it might seem. One of the key principles is specialization. Unlike general AI tools, these agents can be finely tuned for specific tasks and domains.
Speaker 1:So you could have an AI agent that specializes in supply chain management, another focused on marketing, and yet another dedicated to financial analysis.
Speaker 2:Precisely. They become experts within their designated areas, capable of making decisions and taking actions that align with the specific goals and objectives of that department or function. And the beauty of this is that these AI agents can seamlessly integrate into your existing workflows and systems. They can connect across different platforms, pulling in data from various sources and then using that data to drive action.
Speaker 1:So it's not about ripping and replacing everything you have. It's more about finding ways to augment and enhance your existing capabilities.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about evolution, not revolution. And that brings us to another really important aspect of this whole shift, the human workforce.
Speaker 1:Right. Because if AI agents are gonna be taking on more responsibility, making decisions, and driving action, how do we prepare our employees for this new reality? It's easy to see how people might be worried about their jobs.
Speaker 2:That's a valid concern, and it's why leaders need to be proactive in addressing it. The key is to reframe the conversation. It's not about AI taking jobs. It's about AI changing jobs.
Speaker 1:What do you mean by changing jobs?
Speaker 2:Think about it this way. As AI agents take over the more routine, repetitive, and data heavy tasks, it frees up human employees to focus on higher value activities. Things like strategic thinking, creative problem solving, building relationships, and leading teams. These are the things that AI, at least for now, can't replicate.
Speaker 1:So it's about shifting the focus from tasks to skills, from doing to thinking, from managing processes to leading people.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And that requires a commitment to training and development. We need to invest in our people, giving them the skills they need to thrive in this new human AI world.
Speaker 1:What kind of skills are we talking about specifically?
Speaker 2:It's a mix of technical skills and what we might call human skills. On the technical side, things like data literacy, AI fluency, and the ability to understand and interpret the output of AI agents are going to be essential.
Speaker 1:So not necessarily knowing how to code, but being able to work effectively with the AI that does.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But it's not just about the technical side. We also need to cultivate the human skills that will become even more valuable in an AI driven world. Things like critical thinking, adaptability Mhmm. Communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.
Speaker 2:These are the things that will differentiate us from machines and allow us to lead effectively in this new era.
Speaker 1:So it's about creating a workforce that is both technically savvy and deeply human.
Speaker 2:That's it in a nutshell, and that's where leadership really comes in. Leaders need to be champions for this new way of working, role models for lifelong learning, and advocates for the human AI partnership. They need to create a culture that embraces change, encourages experimentation, and empowers employees to adapt and
Speaker 1:grow. Sounds like this whole shift to agentic AI is gonna require a pretty fundamental change in leadership styles.
Speaker 2:It definitely will. Leaders are gonna have to manage both human employees and AI agents, which is a completely different dynamic than what we're used to. It requires a new set of skills, a new mindset, and a new approach to decision making.
Speaker 1:So what are some of the key things that leaders need to be thinking about as they navigate this new terrain?
Speaker 2:Well, one of the most important things is clarity. Leaders need to be crystal clear about their vision for the future, how AI fits into that vision, and what role they expect humans to play in this new world. That clarity has to be communicated constantly and consistently at every level of the organization.
Speaker 1:Because if people are uncertain about their place in an AI driven world Mhmm. They're gonna be resistant to change.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And resistance to change is the biggest obstacle to any kind of transformation. Leaders need to be able to articulate the benefits of AI, address people's concerns, and paint a picture of a future where humans and AI work together to achieve something greater than either could alone.
Speaker 1:That's a powerful message, but it's also a challenge. How do you convince people who are naturally skeptical or even afraid of AI that this is a good thing?
Speaker 2:It's about building trust, and trust is built on transparency, open communication, and a willingness to listen to people's concerns. It's about showing employees that you're invested in their future, that you're committed to providing them with the training and support they need to succeed, and that you value their unique human contributions.
Speaker 1:Implementing technology. It's about leading people through a period of profound change.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about understanding the human side of AI, recognizing the anxieties and uncertainties that people are feeling, and addressing those head on.
Speaker 1:It's also about setting clear expectations for how AI agents will be used, what their limitations are, and how humans will maintain oversight and control.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And it's about establishing ethical guidelines. For AI development and deployment, we need to ensure that these AI agents are aligned with our values, that they're being used responsibly, and that they're not perpetuating biases or creating unintended harm.
Speaker 1:This whole conversation has been incredibly insightful. I think it's really helped to unpack some of the key challenges and opportunities that leaders are facing in this age of agentic AI.
Speaker 2:I agree. And I think the most important takeaway is this. The future of leadership is about more than just technology. It's about people. It's about understanding how to leverage the power of AI while also recognizing the irreplaceable value of human ingenuity, creativity, and compassion.
Speaker 1:It's about finding that balance, that sweet spot where humans and machines can work together to create something truly extraordinary.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And if this topic is of interest to you, you may want to explore our upcoming Future of Leadership Summit.
Speaker 1:Visit future of leadership summit.com to learn more. It's been a fascinating conversation. I think we've covered a lot of ground. I'm sure our listeners have a lot to think about as they consider the implications of Agenic AI for their own organizations.
Speaker 2:And if this topic has sparked your interest, you may want to explore our upcoming Future of Leadership Summit.
Speaker 1:Visit futuresleadershipsummit.com to learn more.