How comfortable are you with reporting to your CEO, who (or in this case, "which") is not human?

Have you ever been curious how your world would be if the AI, Samantha in Her or Sonny from I, Robot took over the world?

Do you think it would be interesting to have a sentient being controlling the corporate chain? Or would it be chaotic?

AI could do more than just answer your calls or drive your car; it can run the company you are working for.

With AI systems turning more and more efficient, and with sentient beings capable of complex decision-making, the questions that make humans ponder is, Can AI become a CEO of a company? Can AI run a business?

Her reminds us, "the past is just a story we tell ourselves."

So, can AI write the future of leadership?

AI at Workspace: Always On, Always Ready

At this point, AI has already taken over most of the industries around globe. Be it analyzing huge piles of data to predicting what customers want, AI knows better to assist humans in their multidirectional endeavours.

Not overwhelmed by office politics, no awkward or "exciting" company-wide emails on new policies.

Fast. Efficient. Productive. 24/7. Always.

So, the question remains. Can AI run the company as well as – or even better than – a human?

Let's imagine a world where data-driven decisions are purely logical and taken at lightning speed, with no scope for emotional biases. Do you envision such a future for the company you work at?

With the most advanced technology accessible to humans, it sounds perfect, except for the fact that being a CEO is not just about crunching numbers or always data-oriented. AI can certainly manage it with no hiccups.

Leading a company is a whole other ballgame.

Can AI be a People-Person or a People-Being?

A CEO's job description is not limited to data and numbers; a major part of the job demands understanding people and interacting with them.

A CEO should be able to sense the team morale, empathize with customers, be relatable with the team and employees.

If decisions did not involve taking into account how to handle the emotions of the employees impacted by a decision made, AI could have filled those shoes perfectly.

Without a bat of an eye, AI could easily analyse markets and even draft cost-cutting plans.

Is Decision-Making Really AI's Boon and Bane?

AI could make decisions based purely on data — quickly and without second-guessing, which sounds great. This, however, may not always be the case.

A human CEO has to balance hard data with softer factors, like company culture, brand reputation and the well-being of employees. Could AI manage that?

I, Robot showcased how AI was making decisions based on logic, but at the cost of humanity.

AI might just make decisions that are too logical and too cold. It might be able to suggest the best cost-cutting measures, perhaps. But, does it really understand the importance of keeping employees happy?

Humans, after all, are emotional creatures, and we don’t always make sense (your fellow colleague in HR can confer this).

So, although AI might seem like the perfect decision-maker, it lacks the emotional intelligence that is often needed to make the right choice, not just the smart one.

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The answer we are looking for is simple. AI can run a company, especially one that is data-driven and highly automated.

If the question were to have an ethical standpoint, should AI run a company just because it can? That probably would be a no.

The humane part of a CEO plays a pivotal role in turning the decisions around, and sometimes, for the very best, sometimes for the worse.

The human side of leadership is still crucial to running a company successfully. Whether it’s fostering company culture, being creative or even handling delicate human situations, these are areas where AI still has a lot to learn.

So, while we might see AI playing a bigger role in business, the corner office still belongs to humans.

For now.

Edited By Annette George