Leadership and Transformation in the Public Sector: An Empirical Exploration of AI Adoption and Efficiency during the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) demands transformative leadership, as leaders grapple with gaps and questions, particularly in optimizing Artificial Intelligence (AI). This paper seeks to comprehend public sector leaders' perceptions, identifying prevalent traits and skills amid AI adoption and efficiency. Employing the PRISMA methodology for a systematic literature review, the study reveals a dearth of research on this topic. Combining the systematic literature review with traditional leadership theory, a PLS-SEM model tests 22 statistical hypotheses for empirical analysis. Results indicate a positive correlation between leadership traits and skills with AI adoption and efficiency. This highlights the pivotal role of prepared leaders in successfully integrating AI, ensuring effective uptake and efficient utilization for optimal outcomes. Insights highlight leaders' essential engagement in supporting, preparing, and innovating, underscoring their central role in optimizing AI adoption.