Leadership Readiness for the Ai-augmented Workforce

Abstract Book of the 7th International Conference on Research in Human Resource Management

Year: 2025

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Leadership Readiness for the Ai-augmented Workforce

Narmadha Kamalakannan, Vakula Aswin Kumar

ABSTRACT:

AI Augmented Workforce refers to the professional environment where AI tools actively shape work processes and decisions, making human-machine collaboration a fundamental reality. Generation Z, refers to those born between 1995 and 2009. The uniqueness of Generation Z is the digital fluency from formative years due to technological influences.
Leadership in this study is conceptualized in two contrasting forms: traditional leadership models and emerging leadership models in AI augmented workforce. This study investigates the key qualities that is essential to be a successful leader in an AI augmented Industry 5.0. This study enquires how professionals define effective leadership within AI-enabled organizations and examines how their globally networked mindset and technologically infused work environments are transforming traditional leadership paradigms.
Using quantitative survey methods, data were collected from 15 to 30 professionals across generations representing diverse industries and geographies. Participants reflected on leadership engagement, ethical decision-making, empowerment, and performance outcomes in AI-influenced work contexts. The research methods using thematic analysis identified four dominant leadership expectations :
Empathy Redefined : digital awareness and inclusivity in addition to emotional understanding
AI Ethics : Transparency and fairness in algorithmic and AI-driven decisions
Empowerment : Technology should enable autonomy, fostering innovation and shared ownership
Agility in Results : Success is redefined through transparent, agile, and outcome-driven collaboration
The findings reveal a fundamental paradigm shift away from traditional leadership towards adaptive leadership which prioritises technology inclusion in a human-centric, trust-based organizational context. The study provides recommendation in leadership frameworks integrating these four essential characteristics on leadership readiness in evolving workplaces.

Keywords: Industry 5.0, Ai Leadership, Ai Ethics, Globalisation