Future Focus | Why Most Organizations Will Fail at AI: It’s Not the Tech, It’s the Leadership Gap | Week of May 12, 2025

This episode unpacks the viral claims that AI leadership doesn't exist yet and challenges that view by highlighting the real issue our resistance to change management and leadership development. Sabba and Stefan discuss how organizations can unlock real transformation by focusing on people, teams, and culture rather than just tools, while raising urgent questions about AI’s expanding role in social and professional life.

Timestamps

[00:01:00] Rethinking AI Leadership

• Sabba and Stefan critique viral LinkedIn posts claiming AI leadership doesn’t exist, arguing that this is more about change management than technological gaps.

[00:03:00] Defining What AI Leaders Actually Do

• They break down what true AI leadership looks like—navigating ambiguity, redesigning workflows, and building learning cultures.

[00:08:00] The Career Question Everyone Should Be Asking

• Stefan introduces a provocative reflection: What can you do better without AI than with it? This sparks a conversation about job security, workplace dynamics, and productivity.

[00:22:00] Microsoft’s Game-Changing People Skills Tool

• Sabba highlights Microsoft's new AI-powered employee skills mapping, pushing organizations to prioritize collaboration, visibility, and culture.

[00:34:00] AI Social Companions: The New Mental Health Crisis?

• The episode wraps by dissecting Mark Zuckerberg's push for AI companions, exploring the blurred lines between tech-driven connection and human relationships.

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Resources Mentioned

• Sparketype Assessment
• Canva AI Webinar Replay
• Microsoft Work Trend Index
• Common Sense Media AI Companions Report
• Amy Edmondson's Research on Psychological Safety