Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of modern business operations, reshaping the way organizations conduct their daily activities. Among the myriad of AI applications, one area where AI shows remarkable promise is in supporting executive roles.

In fact, new research from my company, Workplace Intelligence, and edX, a leading online learning platform, finds that nearly 9 out of 10 C-Suite executives say at least “a little” of their job could be automated by AI. Even leaders at the highest levels of the organization agree they’ll be affected — of the over 500 CEOs surveyed, 49% believe “most” or “all” of their role should be completely automated by AI.

​Research from McKinsey corroborates these findings, estimating that around 25% of a CEO’s time is spent on tasks that AI could replicate. However, some executives have openly admitted that they’re already “automating” a much larger portion of their role by outsourcing some of their responsibilities to subordinates (e.g., executive assistants). Logically, most tasks that can be outsourced also have the potential to be automated.

You might suspect that leaders would be apprehensive about their jobs being replaced. However, my company’s study with edX uncovered that although some leaders feel threatened by AI, most are embracing it. For example, 91% of executives would like AI to support them, and 81% are excited to learn AI skills and apply them to their job. In addition, a remarkable 65% of the C-Suite say they’d like AI to take over some of their job tasks, even it meant lower pay.

What executives undoubtedly recognize is that AI can boost their effectiveness and free up their time for more important business activities. Leaders may also hope that AI could help them achieve better work-life balance. One Harvard study found that CEOs work an average of 62.5 hours per week, including nearly 4 hours a day on weekends.

There’s also a strong financial case for leveraging AI to support executives — if leaders would, indeed, be willing to take a pay cut. As of 2021, CEOs earned nearly 400 times as much as the average worker. That’s a big increase from 20-to-1 in 1965 and 59-to-1 in 1989. In fact, CEO pay has skyrocketed by 1,460% since 1978!

This means that using AI to reduce executives’ workloads (and implementing a commensurate pay cut) could save firms millions of dollars in payroll costs. To bring this to life: in 2021, Amazon CEO Andy Jassey received a package worth $213 million. That’s equal to the wages of nearly 6,500 Amazon employees, which is enough workers to staff four fulfillment centers.

There are countless reasons why it makes sense for the C-Suite to use AI, and it’s clear these technologies will soon play a much more integral role in supporting them. In today’s article, I’ll describe 6 key areas where AI can benefit executives, providing them with valuable insights, efficiency, and a competitive edge. Let’s take a look.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

One of the primary functions of executives is to make informed and strategic decisions. Yet according to McKinsey, 72% of senior executives say they make bad strategic decisions at least as often as good ones. McKinsey also estimates that an S&P 500 company loses an average of $250 million per year on ineffective decision-making processes.

AI empowers executives by processing vast amounts of data rapidly and efficiently. It can analyze data from diverse sources, including customer feedback, market trends, and internal operations, to provide executives with real-time insights. These insights enable executives to make data-driven decisions, reducing reliance on gut feeling or intuition.

Automation of Routine Tasks

According to one study, executives are spending an average of 23 hours per week on activities that may be categorized as administrative or operational. These include attending meetings, responding to emails, and reading reports.

AI-powered tools, such as virtual assistants and workflow automation systems, can handle these tasks much more efficiently. Executives can delegate scheduling, data entry, and information retrieval to AI systems, allowing them to allocate more time to high-value activities like strategy development and relationship building.

Enhanced Strategic Planning

AI can significantly enhance the strategic planning process for executives. Machine learning algorithms can analyze historical data, market trends, and competitive intelligence to identify emerging opportunities and potential threats.

Moreover, AI can simulate various scenarios, helping executives assess the consequences of different strategies. This enables executives to create more robust and adaptable strategic plans that can withstand unforeseen challenges.

Personalized Customer Engagement

For executives responsible for customer-facing roles, AI can revolutionize how they engage with customers. Chatbots, powered by natural language processing (NLP), can provide instant responses to customer queries and offer personalized recommendations.

In addition, AI-driven customer relationship management (CRM) systems can analyze customer data to identify buying patterns and preferences, allowing executives to tailor their interactions and offerings accordingly.

Risk Management and Compliance

Executives also bear the responsibility of managing risks and ensuring compliance. AI can assist in this aspect by identifying potential risks and monitoring internal processes for anomalies, for example data breaches. According to IBM, the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million. Detecting and acting on these threats quickly and early is crucial.

AI algorithms can also flag unusual financial transactions or irregularities in supply chain operations, allowing executives to take proactive measures. Moreover, AI-powered compliance tools can stay updated with evolving regulations and ensure that the organization remains compliant, reducing the risk of legal and financial consequences.

Competitive Advantage

In today's fast-paced business environment, gaining a competitive advantage is paramount — and AI can equip executives with the tools to stay ahead of the competition. Machine learning algorithms can analyze competitors' strategies and market trends, helping executives identify gaps in the market or areas where they can innovate.

AI-driven insights can also guide product development, marketing campaigns, and customer acquisition strategies, giving organizations an edge in their respective industries. Earlier this year, gaming company NetDragon Websoft appointed an AI bot as its new CEO, and saw record-breaking growth in the stock market.

Rethinking the Role of AI in the C-Suite

Artificial Intelligence has evolved into an indispensable tool for executives, enhancing their decision-making capabilities, automating routine tasks, and providing valuable insights for strategic planning. By harnessing the power of AI, executives can streamline operations, better engage with customers, manage risks, and maintain a competitive edge.

As AI technology continues to advance, its role in supporting executive roles will only become more significant, enabling executives to lead their organizations to greater success in an increasingly complex and data-driven business landscape.

Thanks for reading — be sure to join the conversation on LinkedIn, and download the full study report, Navigating the Workplace in the Age of AI, to learn more about my company’s new research with edX.