This crowdsourced article is published to spark discussion at Europe’s first Political Tech Summit on January 25, 2025 in Berlin.
With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, understanding how AI intersects with and reshapes leadership is critical.
AI complements but cannot replace human leadership. While AI excels at delivering results, processing vast data, and accelerating decisions—critical in our exponential age—it lacks the uniquely human qualities that define great leadership.
Our mission at the Apolitical Foundation is to modernize political leadership for the 21st century, making this topic central to our work.
AI’s influence on political leadership poses unique challenges and opportunities. Political leaders must balance immediate pressures with long-term societal needs, navigate heightened scrutiny, and reconcile the diverse, often conflicting interests of stakeholders. AI can enhance transparency, optimize decision-making, and provide data-driven insights, but it also introduces risks such as reinforcing biases, spreading misinformation, and centralizing power.
Political leadership in the AI era requires technical fluency - which we hear is significantly lacking. A 2024 report, “Building an AI Ready Government,” by our sister-company Apolitical, noted that only 15% of public servants had AI training. We think that this number is the same or lower for politicians. In addition to tech skills, politicians must possess a keen awareness of ethical, societal, and cultural implications and remain committed to democratic values. (See our 2024 AI and Political Leadership report.)
This curated list distills the collective wisdom of contributors (acknowledged below) into 10 actionable insights. It highlights AI’s potential to enhance leadership while reaffirming the enduring importance of human-driven qualities in navigating today’s complex challenges, both in and out of politics.
1. Empathy as a foundation for leadership
Empathy is irreplaceable in leadership, enabling deeper human connections that AI cannot replicate. Leaders who understand and act on the emotions and needs of others foster trust and engagement.
2. Integrity as a non-negotiable
AI’s transparency capabilities demand leaders with unshakable integrity. As AI enables public scrutiny, leaders must act consistently with ethical values to maintain trust.
3. Collaboration as a catalyst
AI can enhance collaboration by providing actionable insights, but human leaders must guide collective efforts, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard and valued.
4. Communication as the core leadership skill
In the AI era, clear, authentic communication is more vital than ever, enabling leaders to explain complex issues and inspire confidence amid rapid change. At the same time, AI enhances communication by providing tools to craft messages with greater precision and speed, amplifying a leader’s ability to connect and engage effectively.
5. Charisma as an energy amplifier
While AI offers efficiency, it cannot (yet) inspire like a human can. Charismatic leaders energize teams and communities, rallying support and building momentum for bold visions.
6. Creativity as a superpower
AI handles routine tasks, but creativity remains a uniquely human strength. Leaders must foster innovation and challenge assumptions to address complex challenges.
7. Anti-fragility as strength in adversity
Leaders must embrace adversity, using challenges as opportunities to grow stronger. AI's efficiency can aid this process, but human resilience and adaptability are key.
8. Curiosity with the drive for lifelong learning
In a world where AI evolves at lightning speed, curiosity fuels the commitment to continuous learning. Leaders who embrace lifelong learning stay adaptable, informed, and relevant, ensuring they can navigate and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
9. A healthy inner and outer life as leadership balance
Mental wellbeing and strong external relationships are essential for leaders navigating the complexities of governance and decision-making in the era of complexity and AI. We know that the mental well-being of political leaders is a critical issue. The political leaders we surveyed for our Mere Mortals report had worse mental wellbeing than ambulance and police employees in other studies.
10. Intrinsic motivation as the key to purposeful leadership
AI cannot replicate intrinsic motivation. Leaders driven by purpose act with authenticity, balancing the race for AI adoption with responsible governance to protect trust and values.
As technology continues to evolve, so too will our understanding of its impact on leadership. Given the critical role of culture, context, and norms, we must explore how AI influences leadership across dimensions like gender, tradition, and societal expectations. This is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation—we welcome your perspectives and look forward to engaging further.
Have thoughts? Contact lisa@apolitical.foundation.
Special gratitude to the crowdsourced insight contributors: Blair Glencorse, Edward Brooks, Edward Kip Kalya, Ethar Eltinay, Jonathan Tanner, Kate Walsh, Kanksshi Agarwal, Oliver Marsh, Olivia Neal, Servane Mouazan, Sharath Jeevan, Stella Njogo, and Tommaso Balbo di Vinadio.