Leadership development through self-upskilling: role of generative artificial intelligence

Purpose This viewpoint paper investigates the changing role of leadership in a dynamic, technologically driven society, and the vital requirement for leaders to engage in continuous self-upskilling to remain effective. It emphasizes the importance of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in transforming personalized learning experiences for leaders and allowing them to adapt to an ever-changing world. Design/methodology/approach A review of current research papers, articles, and case studies is conducted to evaluate the integration of generative AI in leadership self-upskilling. It examines the possibilities and possible benefits of generative AI, and the issues it offers regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and learning requirements. Findings The findings highlight the transformational potential of GAI in self-upskilling for leaders. It demonstrates how GAI can build personalized learning materials, provide real-time feedback, and adapt content to individual learning styles. It identifies notable executives who have effectively embraced GAI for their self-upskilling journeys, resulting in increased productivity and competitiveness. Practical implications The paper investigates the application of GAI for self-improvement, addressing challenges such as data privacy and algorithmic bias while suggesting responsible AI use tactics. Originality/value This study investigates the relationship between leadership and AI, emphasizing the importance of leaders in self-improvement as well as the possibility of AI-powered self-upskilling to democratize leadership development while also promoting ethical use.