AI and Leadership

AI and Leadership

31 August 2025

I wrote this blog stating that AI is a serious menace to intelligence. It triggered reactions. The most simplistic one is that AI is no menace unless we let it. These reactions were primarily opinions, not based on research, referring to what speakers—mostly locals—said at a conference on AI. At the same time, there is a discussion on leadership. Some argue the problem is a lack of leadership. Add to the mix the education system: should we discipline learners to the extent of demanding a specific haircut? Should we massively include AI in schools, or keep it out?

AI and Human Obsolescence

First of all, AI is a reality and it is here to stay. As I was reflecting, I read several other articles that addressed my point of view. I am not the only one imagining this. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the Godfather of AI, warns that artificial intelligence is advancing beyond human control. He emphasizes that AI systems are no longer just tools—they may soon demonstrate agency and even forms of consciousness. Driven by global competition among governments, corporations, and open-source communities, the rapid pace of development raises existential risks, including the possibility of human obsolescence. Hinton regrets that safety concerns were not prioritized earlier and calls for urgent global oversight and regulation to mitigate potentially catastrophic outcomes (Hinton, 2024).

AI and Education

A second article I came across was Artificial Intelligence Is Inevitably Transforming Education. Estonia is taking the lead with a national AI program in secondary schools. Starting in September, tens of thousands of students will use AI to assist with homework, in collaboration with OpenAI. Although concerns exist that students may lose skills or show reduced brain activity when relying on ChatGPT, the system in Estonia is presented as a guiding tool rather than a source of ready-made answers. The approach aims to encourage students to think and actively apply their own knowledge (van den Berg, 2025). We have seen this before. The proliferation of smartphones has already altered the brains of younger generations, most notably in attention span and phone addiction. These effects have led an increasing number of countries to ban the use of smartphones in schools.

Discipline and Leadership in Schools

This brings me to the topic of leadership in schools, and in general. Both locally and internationally, there is debate about whether schools are in their right mind and whether it is wise to impose rules on children. This discussion is particularly pronounced in El Salvador, where President Bukele appointed a female Minister of Education from the military. One of her first actions was to impose strict rules for schoolchildren and students. The argument is that children need structure and discipline for society to prosper. She states that the lack of discipline is at the root of gang crime. President Bukele delivers a direct message to students in El Salvador, highlighting the critical role of discipline in education. He encourages students to dedicate themselves to their studies and uphold values such as respect and responsibility, aligning with government efforts to strengthen the educational framework and prepare students for future success (MBN Digital SV, 2025).

Followers and Leaders

Bukele brings me to the subject of leadership more broadly. People often claim that we have no leadership—or that we lack leaders with vision and strategy who take action. As I have been saying for years, leadership is a relationship between a leader and their followers. If followers do not want to be led, the leader is powerless. So I say we have followers’ problems. As Boeli van Leeuwen once wrote: All chiefs, no Indians. Yet we also follow popular figures—sometimes entertainers—who amuse us but do not address the complex issues at hand. This may also indicate that intelligence is deteriorating. In the animal kingdom, species tend to follow the strongest or smartest exemplar. Humans are the only species that elect leaders dumber than themselves—and follow them.

AI and the Future of Intelligence

This brings me back to AI. Some argue that it will only affect intelligence if we “let it,” as if we have a choice. The truth is, we will likely be unable to resist the comfort that AI offers. For example, why do we check the spelling and grammar ourselves if AI can do it in seconds? The thing is, if you do not use it, you lose it. This applies to almost everything human. If we do not exercise our brains, our intelligence will fade.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is no surprise that some foresee a future where big data, algorithms, and AI could replace democracy.

Miguel Goede