Key Takeaways
- Three times more C-suite executives list AI skills on LinkedIn compared to two years ago.
- AI literacy is rapidly becoming a fundamental leadership skill, not just a technical one.
- Executives are 1.2 times more likely than other workers to add AI skills to their profiles.
- 88% of global leaders see speeding up AI adoption as a top priority for 2025.
- Despite this, 40% of executives admit their own leadership teams hinder AI integration due to lack of training or preparedness.
- Many businesses (80%) now prefer hiring candidates comfortable with AI over those with more traditional experience but less AI fluency.
- Effective AI adoption requires leaders to actively use and model AI tools, not just endorse them.
Conversations about artificial intelligence in boardrooms worldwide have shifted significantly. It’s no longer just a buzzword but is becoming a vital skill.
This change is clear in recent data from Forbes, citing LinkedIn figures. The number of top executives highlighting AI skills like prompt engineering and generative AI tools on their profiles has tripled in just two years.
This trend shows that understanding AI is moving from the fringes to the very center of executive leadership roles.
AI is quickly changing jobs, skills, and how businesses operate. Every executive now needs to grasp what the technology can achieve to lead effectively and boost productivity.
Leaders are certainly paying attention. LinkedIn’s data reveals C-suite executives are adding AI-related skills more readily than the general workforce, showing they understand AI adoption must start at the top.
This isn’t just for show. A huge majority of global C-suite leaders—88%—state that accelerating AI adoption is a key goal for 2025. Early results look promising, with over half of companies already using AI tools reporting revenue increases of 10% or more, according to LinkedIn.
However, ambition doesn’t automatically lead to action. Four out of ten executives confess their own leadership teams are obstacles to integrating AI. This might be due to insufficient training, doubt about the return on investment, or unpreparedness for the cultural changes AI brings.
While leaders grasp the ‘why’ behind AI, many are still figuring out the ‘how’.
One reason AI is climbing the leadership ladder is its growing necessity for business. LinkedIn research indicates AI literacy is now one of the most sought-after skills across all job types.
For top executives, it’s even surpassing traditional strengths like operational experience as the most critical skill for navigating change.
This impacts not only how leaders view their own development but also how they hire. Eight out of ten business leaders would prefer hiring someone skilled in AI tools over someone with more traditional experience but lacking AI fluency.
This points to a major reshaping of what executive leadership means. Understanding AI isn’t optional anymore; it’s a crucial capability.
Dan Shapero, LinkedIn’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized this, stating that leadership, not just technology, often controls the pace of AI transformation. He noted that successfully adopting AI is as much a leadership challenge as a technological one.
Shapero added that many organizations underestimate the significant change management needed to weave AI into their teams’ daily routines.
That’s why leaders must model the change. It’s not enough to just approve AI use; executives need to be hands-on and knowledgeable.
This means actively using AI in decision-making and daily tasks, not just discussing it in strategy meetings. When leaders demonstrate AI literacy, it sets the example for the entire organization.
Leaders like Grammarly CEO Shishir Mehrotra are already doing this, using AI to handle time-consuming tasks like summarizing meetings and drafting messages. Snowflake’s chief data analytics officer, Anahita Tafvizi, also stressed the need for leaders to continuously learn and experiment with fast-evolving AI.
When the C-suite confidently uses AI tools, it empowers their teams to follow suit. The company culture often reflects the leadership’s example.
The rapid rise of AI-savvy executives reflects a broader trend: leadership itself must evolve along with technology. Leaders need to know the right questions to ask, understand the available tools, and remain open to continuous learning.
Building this type of leadership requires ongoing investment in skills and a willingness to adapt traditional work methods. As technology races forward, the ability to adapt and lead by example will define future success.
