Why Every Leader Needs to Learn AI...Now!

Artificial intelligence is not just another tech trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how leaders operate, make decisions, and deliver value. Understanding AI is no longer optional. It’s a strategic imperative that will determine which leaders adapt and which ones are left behind.

The Startling Reality

1. 84% of executives believe they need to adopt AI to achieve their growth objectives, yet only 1 in 10 organizations report that their leaders are “AI fluent.”

2. Jobs requiring AI skills have grown by more than 450% since 2013, according to LinkedIn data, and the demand is accelerating.

3. A PwC global survey predicts that AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, making it the biggest commercial opportunity in today’s fast-changing economy.

4. More than 4,800 new generative AI tools have launched to date in 2025 (≈13 per day).

5. Only about 21% of U.S. workers currently say at least some of their work is done with AI — but that figure is rising fast.

6. Globally, about 58% of working people use AI intentionally in their job, and 38% say they use it weekly or daily.

These numbers reveal a widening gap between aspiration and action. Many leaders recognize AI’s potential but haven’t yet developed the understanding needed to lead in this new era.

Why Leaders Must Learn AI

You don’t need to become a data scientist to lead effectively in the age of AI—but you do need to understand what’s possible, what’s ethical, and how to align AI tools with your mission. Leaders who learn AI can:

• Make better strategic decisions by using data-driven insights instead of intuition alone.

• Foster innovation by empowering teams to automate routine tasks and focus on creativity.

• Mitigate risks by understanding the limits of AI and establishing responsible governance.

Without this knowledge, leaders risk falling into a reactive posture—chasing trends rather than shaping them. They may adopt tools without understanding their implications or, worse, reject them out of fear and lose competitive ground.

The Cost of Standing Still

Leaders who fail to build AI literacy risk becoming obsolete. Competitors that use AI will make faster, smarter decisions, deliver more personalized customer experiences, and operate with greater efficiency. As AI becomes integrated into every function—from marketing to operations to human resources—leaders who don’t “speak AI” will find themselves struggling to interpret the new language of business.

Leading Forward

Learning AI is not about replacing human leadership; it’s about enhancing it. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who can combine human judgment, ethical foresight, and technological understanding to guide their organizations through transformation with confidence and purpose.

Now is the time to start learning—not just to keep up, but to lead the way. Try out a free course with Coursiv, Coursera, DeepLearning.AI, or Google AI Essentials Specialization. You can set a timer and learn something in just

15 minutes a day.

—Written by Lisa Edwards, Founder of Flexpoint Leadership, helping mission-driven organizations lead confidently in the age of AI.