While 77% of CEOs believe AI is ushering in a new business era, only 44% think their CIOs are “AI-savvy.” Even more alarming, many feel their entire executive teams are unfit for the challenges ahead. It’s almost ironic: those meant to lead transformation are the ones most in need of it themselves, not in tools or strategies, but in mindset. A willingness to relearn and change in a world where learning has become the more accurate measure of leadership.
For those who’ve read my previous opinion pieces, you know how often I’ve warned that leadership is driving us downhill if it doesn’t get a serious wake-up call. That message echoed again at HRTech Day in Antwerp, where Marc Steven Ramos shared data showing how unprepared many leaders still are. Among everything he presented, one finding stood out: a Gartner survey revealed that across the entire C-suite.
This is deeply concerning, as employees are increasingly losing trust in their leaders, and the Trust Index shows that people today need transparency, ethics, and genuine support from those who guide them. When that trust is present, they’re far more willing to embrace AI and the changes it brings. Without it, even the best strategies stall before they start.
Let’s be honest, many leaders in today’s C-suites have become dinosaurs of a disappearing age. They built their confidence on expertise, knowledge, and control. But that same mindset is now holding organizations back. We don’t need leaders who cling to what they know; we need leaders who are willing to relearn and reimagine what leadership means in the age of AI.
I can’t help but think it’s time for bold action when reading the Gartner article. If 66% of CEOs admit their business models are not fit for AI, then perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that our leadership models aren’t either. The traditional structure of CIOs, CDOs, and HR departments no longer serves the kind of agility and trust that organisations need.
Imagine replacing those fragmented roles with a Chief People and AI Officer, someone who truly understands how humans and machines learn, think, and collaborate. Someone who sees beyond GenAI chatbots and grasps the impact of Agentic AI, where systems start taking initiative, shaping workflows, and amplifying human creativity rather than replacing it. A role that rebuilds trust by connecting people and technology in transparent, human-centred ways.
But let’s also be clear: the problem isn’t just with the executives reporting to the CEO. Those same CEOs who are now mistrusting their teams also fail to take bold decisions themselves. They see the disruption coming but choose caution over courage. They talk about AI as a transformation while still managing it as a project. Transformation isn’t about adoption, it’s about reinvention.
The future of leadership won’t be defined by those with the most experience (age is not a good measure of leadership), but by those who learn the fastest. In this new era, imagination, curiosity and adaptability will be worth more than years of experience. AI doesn’t need more executives who cling to their titles. It requires leaders who embrace uncertainty, foster trust, and lead through learning.
So yes, CEOs are right: their teams lack AI savviness. But maybe that’s because they’ve been too busy preserving power instead of developing potential. The future won’t wait for them, and neither should we.
Katja Schipperheijn is an internationally awarded author, strategist, futurist, keynote speaker & entrepreneur. Her books Learning Ecosystems & The Learning Mindset profoundly impacted the way we approach learning, innovation and leadership. She is also member of the jury of the CDO of the Year Awards.
