Evaluation of adapting artificial intelligence in sustainable leadership roles: A survey-based study

In businesses, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to alter workflows and upend professions, including management. In an increasingly fast-paced corporate environment and during periods of digital transformation, company executives are debating whether and how AI can replace managers in their current roles or even take over management responsibilities. To investigate this topic, this manuscript offers a first step in this conversation by analyzing the expectations and acceptance levels of the potential user base regarding the use of AI technology in organizational leadership positions. This was accomplished by surveying managers and staff (N = 74) using an online questionnaire that offered three fictitious scenarios with varying degrees of interaction with potential users in which AI handles specific managerial tasks. An analysis of variance revealed that among the scenarios, AI managers who function as (digital) cognitive agents had the highest acceptance levels. Executives and top-level managers can use the study’s insights and research agenda to help them get ready for AI adoption and make wise choices that will hasten the process. In the context of Industry 4.0, this study explores how AI technologies are changing leadership roles, paying special attention to organizational decision-making and employee engagement. The technology acceptance model will be used to measure perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use across leadership functions to gauge how people feel about AI-driven leadership.