Can AI replace leaders?
by Portia Yip, Marketing Services
How Continuing Studies at UVic is helping leaders navigate succession planning in the age of AI.
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how we work, leaders are noticing. But this raises a serious question: how do you plan for leadership succession when the future is unknown?
are considering hiring for AI‑specific roles to prepare for the future.
"AI is fundamentally reshaping how organizations operate," says Jo-Anne Clarke, dean of Continuing Studies at UVic. "It's a leader's responsibility to ensure their organizations have the talent and resources needed now, but also to predict and plan for what's coming next."
Microsoft's Work Trend Index reports that 78 percent of leaders are considering hiring for AI-specific roles to prepare for the future. While building organizational capacity in AI, data and emerging technologies is necessary, longer-term talent development shouldn't fall off the priority list.
AI introduces new risks for leadership transitions, and some senior leaders nearing retirement may be hesitant to engage with AI. However, mentorship is still important, according to Clarke. "Even if leaders are not personally enthusiastic about AI, it's essential that they mentor successors who are curious, open-minded and willing to learn."
She points to previous examples, like Blockbuster's failure to adapt to digital streaming, as a reminder of how resisting change can leave organizations and businesses behind. At the same time, AI increases the value of strong people skills.
As Clarke emphasizes, it's clear there is a need for resilience. "Future leaders will need to be curious, creative and adaptable," she explains, pointing to the growing importance of human-centred skills like critical thinking, collaboration and change management. "As technology assumes more routine or analytical tasks, leaders who can drive change, inspire trust and foster innovation become even more valuable."
For emerging leaders looking to become AI-ready, Clarke's advice is simple: start experimenting. Continuing education, such as applied AI programs, can help leaders see AI as a tool to support their work, while encouraging new perspectives about ethics, responsibility or risk. "AI can offer input," she notes, "but decision-making must remain human-led."
Along with emotional intelligence, leadership is often what makes us human. This is what UVic professor Vanessa Andreotti calls a meta-relational approach to AI—the ability to effectively manage humans and machines.
Clarke also compares leadership to Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. "Rather than concealing the cracks, Kintsugi highlights them as beautiful, unique features of the object's history," she describes. "Leadership is similar—our imperfections and lived experiences can lead to insight, innovation and genuine human connection."
In the age of AI, succession planning isn't just about preparing for new technology. It's about developing leaders who can lead through increasing complexity and uncertainty with humility, ethics and humanity. So, can AI replace leaders? Not the ones we need next.
AI can offer input, but decision-making must remain human-led.
—Jo-Anne Clarke, Dean of Continuing Studies at UVic
Learn more about leadership professional development opportunities with Continuing Studies at UVic.
- Posted February 24, 2026