Artificial intelligence (AI) does not scare executives
Managers are not afraid of artificial intelligence. However, there is currently still a large discrepancy between the openness of executives to AI solutions on the one hand and their actual use in day-to-day operations and management on the other.
Since the company OpenAI released its ChatGPT program for general free use at the end of 2022, a real hype has arisen around the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) - not only on the stock market, but also in the media. In the most dazzling colors, they described the opportunities that AI offers companies, for example, for redesigning and optimizing their business processes, and the dangers that increased use of AI poses - for some professions or employees who hold certain functions in companies.
Use of AI: Serenity among managers
However, company executives seem to be very relaxed about the topic of artificial intelligence. At least, that is what the current Leadership Trend Barometer of the Institute for Leadership Culture in the Digital Age (IFIDZ) in Wiesbaden suggests. 158 executives took part in this online survey. They were asked about the extent to which they see the role and responsibilities of managers changing as a result of the increased use of AI.
The survey revealed that only two percent of respondents are convinced that AI tools or systems can replace human managers in the medium to long term. In other words, they do not fear for their function. Rather, the majority of them (93 percent) are convinced that artificial intelligence (AI) can support them in their leadership work. For example, 56 percent of respondents expect AI systems to be able to relieve executives of "boring, repetitive tasks." In addition, just over half of executives (51 percent) believe AI can help them and their employees make decision-making processes "more efficient" and make "better decisions." That's why 57 percent of executives advocate for their organization to be more open to using AI in leadership - to find solutions and achieve goals. They also want existing fears and reservations about AI to be reduced so that it is "deployed and used as a matter of course."
Only a few use AI tools
Two-thirds of executives (66 percent) are of the opinion that "we can no longer imagine life without AI. Consequently, only three percent are convinced that the current AI debate is merely "hype" that "will soon die down. Against this background, it is striking that, according to their own statements, only 12 percent of managers are currently already using AI tools for their management work and to increase their personal performance and that of their department.
According to Barbara Liebermeister, head of IFIDZ, this means that there is currently still a large discrepancy between the openness to and acceptance of AI systems by managers on the one hand and their use in day-to-day operations and management on the other. According to her, this "gap" must be closed "so that companies can make the most of the opportunities that AI offers them, for example, to optimize their business processes and to open up new business areas.
Source: www.ifidz.de
