Anais
Resumo do trabalho
Gestão de Pessoas · Liderança e suas Dimensões
Título
Leadership in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Comparative Study of Managers with Extensive and Limited AI Use
Palavras-chave
Digital Leadership
Human-AI Interaction
Generative AI
Autores
-
Georgy Bubnenkov
-
Liliane FurtadoUNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO (UFRJ)
Resumo
Introdução
Leadership theories have evolved alongside societal and technological shifts, from trait-based to post-heroic models. The emergence of generative AI—capable of automating up to 62% of managerial tasks—challenges traditional understandings of leadership. As AI becomes a transformative force in the workplace, it may redefine leadership attributes, behaviors, and roles. Despite growing theoretical interest, there is still limited empirical research on how current leaders perceive and respond to AI’s integration into organizational contexts.
Problema de Pesquisa e Objetivo
While leadership theories have evolved alongside societal and technological shifts, the rise of generative AI presents new challenges to their relevance. Generative AI may redefine leadership attributes, behaviors, and roles, yet existing studies remain mostly theoretical. This study addresses a key gap: the lack of empirical research on how current leaders perceive and adapt to generative AI.
Fundamentação Teórica
Leadership theory has evolved through societal and technological shifts, but the rise of generative AI introduces new challenges. This study builds an integrative framework combining trait, transformational and ethical leadership, and AI capability models to examine how AI is reshaping leadership attributes, behaviors, and roles. As AI becomes a co-actor in leadership, managing hybrid human–AI teams demands a reconceptualization of leadership models grounded in adaptability, ethics, and digital fluency.
Metodologia
This qualitative study explores how generative AI is reshaping leadership by analyzing perceptions, behaviors, and use cases among six managers from Brazil, Russia, and Iran. Using semi-structured interviews and Flick’s (2014) content analysis, the research contrasts leaders who use AI extensively with those who use it only occasionally. Grounded in established leadership and AI frameworks, the study offers a comparative, theory-driven view of leadership in AI-integrated contexts.
Análise dos Resultados
The study shows that generative AI reshapes leadership by influencing how leaders perceive their roles, behaviors, and the use of AI. Extensive users adopt system-level traits, task-focused behaviors, and view AI as a collaborator. Limited users emphasize empathy, people-focused leadership, and see AI as a support tool. These contrasting profiles reflect deeper differences in leadership identity and raise important questions about the future balance between human and AI-driven leadership.
Conclusão
Im sum, this study bridges AI theory and leadership studies by showing that AI is not just a tool, but a force that redefines authority, responsibility, and leadership identity. It supports the view that the second wave of AI adoption transforms how leadership is understood and practiced in organizations.
Contribuição / Impacto
This study contributes to leadership theory by showing that AI-intensive contexts demand new leader attributes beyond classical traits. Building on Zaccaro’s model, it highlights the need for tech literacy and systems thinking. It supports Nadkarni and Prügl’s argument that digital transformation requires leaders to act as system navigators who align technological and organizational variables.
Referências Bibliográficas
Dinh, J. E., Lord, R. G., Gardner, W. L., Meuser, J. D., Liden, R. C., & Hu, J. (2014). Leadership theory and research in the new millennium: Current theoretical trends and changing perspectives. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 36–62.
Hossain, S., Fernando, M., & Akter, S. (2025). Digital leadership: Towards a dynamic managerial capability perspective of artificial intelligence-driven leader capabilities. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 32(2), 189-208
Zaccaro, S. J., Kemp, C., & Bader, P. (2004). Leader traits and attributes. In J. Antonakis, A. T. Cianciolo, & R. J. Sternber
Hossain, S., Fernando, M., & Akter, S. (2025). Digital leadership: Towards a dynamic managerial capability perspective of artificial intelligence-driven leader capabilities. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 32(2), 189-208
Zaccaro, S. J., Kemp, C., & Bader, P. (2004). Leader traits and attributes. In J. Antonakis, A. T. Cianciolo, & R. J. Sternber