Is artificial intelligence an invisible force shaping your career, a quiet power rewriting policies, or an unchecked disruptor understood by only a select few? Is it a saviour, a threat, or just the latest buzzword that leaders wield for attention? In boardrooms and political arenas, AI is the conversation of the moment. The problem? Many of those speaking the loudest have little real grasp of what it entails.
Across industries, CEOs, policymakers, and political figures are rushing to position themselves as AI champions. Their speeches are filled with sweeping statements on transformation, innovation, and the limitless potential—or dangers—of AI. But scratch the surface, and it becomes clear that, for many, AI is more of a marketing prop than a mastered domain. They use it to appear forward-thinking, to command public attention, to justify job cuts or new regulations, and, in some cases, to secure their own relevance in a rapidly shifting world.
READ | Trump’s Crypto Summit 2025 triggers controversy and hope
AI as a corporate survival tool
For CEOs, AI has become more than just a strategy—it is a boardroom survival tool. In the name of AI and enterprise strategy for the future, many corporate leaders retain their seats without fear of real scrutiny over their performance. As long as they can claim their organisation is AI-ready or “leveraging AI for transformation,” they can buy time, avoid accountability, and even justify poor financial results. Shareholders, employees, and the public are too often dazzled by AI rhetoric to ask the fundamental question: What has actually changed?
AI is not a finished product. It is an evolving field, one where breakthroughs happen in research labs, not in campaign speeches or annual reports. It is complex, uncertain, and, most importantly, not fully understood even by the world’s leading experts. Yet, there is no shortage of leaders claiming authority over it. Some promise AI-led economic miracles; others warn of mass unemployment and dystopian futures. Few acknowledge the truth—that we are still at the beginning of understanding how AI will reshape our societies.
The many unknowns of AI
There is far more that we do not know about AI than what we do. Its evolution is not a straight line, nor is its impact predictable. Some of the biggest unknowns include:
The nature of intelligence itself – AI is often called intelligent, but intelligence is not a single, well-defined quality. Machines do not understand in a human sense. They predict patterns, optimise outputs, and generate responses. Whether AI will ever develop true reasoning, common sense, or the ability to navigate uncertainty like humans remains unclear.
Long-term economic shifts – AI will replace some jobs and create others, but in what proportion? Will automation lead to mass layoffs in critical industries, or will economies adapt with new kinds of work? History suggests technological advances create jobs in the long run, but AI’s ability to automate high-level cognitive tasks could break that pattern. We do not yet have answers.
Political power and control – AI is already being used in governance, law enforcement, and surveillance. But who decides how it is used? Will artificial intelligence be a tool for democracy, or will it strengthen authoritarian regimes? The ability to manipulate public perception, predict political behaviour, or even influence elections through AI-driven content is a major concern. The full scale of this remains unknown.
The bias problem – AI models learn from human-created data, which means they inherit our biases—often amplifying them. From hiring algorithms that discriminate against certain groups to predictive policing that reinforces racial profiling, AI has the potential to entrench social inequalities. No foolproof method exists yet to eliminate bias from AI systems.
Environmental costs – Training AI requires enormous computing power, which translates to energy consumption. Some AI models already have a larger carbon footprint than entire countries. As AI use grows, how will we balance its benefits with its environmental cost? Can AI be made sustainable? We don’t have the answer yet.
AI in warfare and cybersecurity – Autonomous weapons, deepfake propaganda, AI-driven cyberattacks—these are no longer science fiction. AI’s role in security and warfare is still unfolding. Will AI make wars less human or more dangerous? Will it improve cybersecurity or expose new vulnerabilities? These are unresolved risks.
Human-AI relationships – From artificial intelligence companions to automated therapy bots, artificial intelligence is being designed to interact emotionally with humans. What does this mean for mental health, human relationships, and social behaviour? Will people become emotionally dependent on machines? Will it blur the line between artificial and real? No one truly knows how society will respond to widespread AI-human interaction.
The consequences of blind optimism
This rush to claim AI expertise has real consequences. In the corporate world, vague AI strategies are rolled out with little thought, leading to wasted investments and misdirected priorities. In governance, policies are announced with more political flair than technical insight, often missing the nuances that determine whether AI serves or harms society. Workers fear for their livelihoods as leaders issue grand proclamations about automation without explaining how transition plans will work in practice. Citizens are left confused, caught between exaggerated hopes and exaggerated fears.
There is a historical pattern to this. Every major technological shift—electricity, the internet, automation—has seen figures stepping forward as self-declared visionaries. The difference now is the speed at which narratives spread. A few well-placed AI buzzwords in a speech can shape markets, drive policy shifts, or even influence elections. In an era of social media and information overload, perception often outweighs expertise.
Balancing optimism with caution
It is easy to focus on AI’s positives—efficiency, automation, personalised healthcare, and scientific breakthroughs. These are real benefits. But history has shown that every major technological shift brings unintended consequences. AI will be no different.
Instead of blind optimism, we must build safeguards. AI should be regulated, not just encouraged. Ethical oversight should not be an afterthought. The conversation should not just be about how AI can drive economic growth, but also about how it can be misused. It should not just be about innovation but also about impact—on workers, societies, and the very fabric of human interaction.
AI is not neutral. It reflects the choices of those who build and deploy it. If we do not shape its development with responsibility, it will shape us in ways we never intended. The challenge is not just to embrace AI but to govern it wisely.
The leadership artificial intelligence deserves
The real work of artificial intelligence is not in press conferences or LinkedIn posts. It is in research, regulation, education, and responsible deployment. It is in ensuring that artificial intelligence enhances human potential rather than replacing it without a plan. It is in addressing bias, data privacy, and the widening gap between those who understand AI and those who are at its mercy. It is in acknowledging the risks without sensationalism and embracing the possibilities without reckless optimism.
The world does not need more AI evangelists who know little beyond the headlines. It needs leaders who are honest about what they don’t know. It needs policymakers willing to collaborate with scientists rather than dictate to them. It needs business leaders who treat AI as a tool to be understood, not a gimmick to be sold.
The future of AI will not be determined by those who shout the loudest. It will be shaped by those who listen, learn, and lead with wisdom rather than self-interest. If AI is indeed the most transformative force of our time, then it deserves leadership that is worthy of it.
Srinath Sridharan is a strategic counsel with 25 years experience with leading corporates across diverse sectors including automobiles, e-commerce, advertising and financial services. He understands and ideates on intersection of finance, digital, contextual-finance, consumer, mobility, Urban transformation, and ESG. Actively engaged across growth policy conversations and public policy issues.