Artificial intelligence may be automating workflows and rewriting business models, but it’s also exposing a critical truth: technology alone doesn’t lead — people do. According to a new global study from Top Employers Institute, organizations that combine human insight with intelligent technology are already outperforming their peers.
The report, AI-Powered Leadership: The Blueprint for Uniting Human Insight with Intelligent Technology, draws on data from more than 2,300 Top Employers across 125 countries. It reveals how AI is reshaping the role of leadership and what forward-thinking companies must do to build trust, drive performance, and enhance the employee experience in an AI-driven world.
Human-Centered AI Leadership Pays Off
The study found that profitable companies are 7% more likely than their less successful counterparts to use AI to improve the employee experience — not just operational efficiency. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, these leaders see it as a force multiplier for judgment, empathy, and purpose.
“AI is redrawing the architecture of organizations faster than most leaders can adapt,” said Adrian Seligman, Executive Board Member at Top Employers Institute. “The leaders who will thrive are those who can design systems where technology amplifies human insight — underpinned by sound ethics.”
The research identifies five key traits of AI-powered leaders:
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Digital confidence – understanding and leveraging AI tools effectively.
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Ethical stewardship – ensuring responsible, transparent AI use.
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Human-centered design – prioritizing employee experience and inclusion.
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Systems awareness – connecting technology and human workflows seamlessly.
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Applied empathy – using data and AI insights to lead with emotional intelligence.
Together, these pillars define a new leadership model — one where AI augments human potential rather than automating it away.
A Leadership Gap in the AI Age
While enthusiasm for AI is surging — 78% of global firms now use it in at least one function — only a fraction have built scalable, people-centered systems to realize its potential.
Top Employers’ findings align with a Boston Consulting Group report showing that 74% of employers struggle to convert AI’s promise into measurable, organization-wide value.
Nearly 39% of surveyed organizations view AI primarily as a way to enhance employee experience, not just cut costs. Meanwhile, 48% are piloting or implementing responsible AI frameworks, signaling progress but also a growing leadership skills gap.
“HR leaders have a responsibility to be catalysts of this change,” Seligman added. “Those that fail to redesign leadership for the AI era risk building faster systems on outdated foundations — and hampering their growth potential.”
From AI Hype to Human Value
Beyond its data, the report offers a practical roadmap for business and HR leaders to create AI-powered leadership ecosystems — balancing innovation with ethics and empathy.
The takeaway is clear: the organizations that win in the AI age won’t just deploy smarter technology; they’ll develop smarter leaders. And as AI continues to redefine the boundaries of efficiency, it’s those with emotional intelligence, ethical awareness, and strategic agility who will keep humanity — and competitiveness — at the core of leadership.
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Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
