Preparing leaders for the human-AI collaboration

We spoke to Dr Evy Sakellariou, Associate Professor of Creativity and Innovation, about the skills future leaders will need, the misconceptions organisations still have about AI, and how Kingston University's MSc AI for Business and Innovation course is preparing students for the evolving world of work.

Why is it so important for employees to learn how to work alongside AI?

Because this technology represents a major disruption. In fact, I would argue that it is perhaps the most significant disruption we are facing at the moment.

The employees who do not develop the skills to manage and leverage AI effectively risk being left behind. That's where the real risk exists, not in the technology itself, but in failing to adapt to it.

My advice is simple: remove the fear. Be realistic about what AI can and cannot do, experiment with it, learn from it and continuously upskill. Those who embrace the technology will be in a much stronger position than those who avoid it.

How was the MSc AI for Business and Innovation course developed?

The course has been informed by a wide range of research, industry engagement and practical experience. It draws on my work with local communities, professional networks such as the Institute of Directors, my think tank - Women4AInnovation, and several university-funded research projects. We have also incorporated insights from previous courses where we piloted and experimented with AI technologies.

A particularly important influence was a research project conducted alongside industry partners. Through horizon scanning, productivity analysis, foresight workshops and collaboration with business leaders and their technology teams, we were able to identify the skills that future leaders will need to succeed.

All of these experiences have informed the design of the course and the capabilities we want our students to develop.

What skills will students gain from the course?

One of the key findings from our research is that future leaders must first develop strong human-centric skills. 

These include: 

• Creativity.
• Problem solving.
• Collaboration.
• Communication.
• Critical thinking.

These capabilities remain essential regardless of how advanced technology becomes. However, future leaders also need to develop what I call “fusion skills”: emerging hybrid skills that allow people to collaborate effectively with machines. These include co-learning with AI systems, intelligently interrogating AI, understanding its capabilities and limitations, and critically evaluating the outcomes it produces.

The future belongs to leaders who can combine strong human capabilities with the ability to work effectively alongside intelligent technologies.

Headlines often focus on AI replacing jobs. Is that the right conversation we should be having?

I don't think so. The more important conversation is about how we prepare leaders to manage how we can prepare leaders for managing a hybrid workforce of machine and humans. AI should not be viewed solely as a replacement for people. Instead, its real value lies in its ability to augment human capabilities.

The focus should be on helping people understand how to work alongside AI, leverage its strengths and use it to enhance their own performance.

What are organisations still getting wrong about AI?

I see two common challenges.

First, many boards and senior leaders have not fully familiarised themselves with the technology. Because they are not necessarily using AI regularly, there can be misconceptions about what it is, what it can do and where its limitations lie.

Second, many organisations approach AI primarily as an automation tool. The conversation often centres on productivity gains, reducing labour hours and increasing speed. While those outcomes can be valuable, AI is much more than an efficiency tool. Organisations need to think more broadly about how it can support learning, creativity, innovation and better decision-making. 

Why will creativity become more important, not less, in an AI-powered world?

Creativity is a uniquely human capability and will become increasingly valuable as routine activities are automated. When people are freed from repetitive processes, they can spend more time thinking creatively about challenges, developing solutions, building partnerships and exploring new opportunities.

In my view, AI will not diminish creativity. It will create more space for it. Generative AI can take over many repetitive and recurring tasks, which gives people more time to focus on creative work.

What makes human judgement so important in the age of AI?

While AI can generate recommendations, analyses and ideas, it cannot replace human accountability.

One of the most important fusion skills is what I describe as “judgement integration”. This is the ability to evaluate AI outputs; decide which recommendations are appropriate and determine which should be implemented in practice. Humans retain the agency to make those decisions. Ultimately, it is people, not AI, who bear responsibility for the outcomes of their actions.

That's why developing critical judgement remains essential, regardless of how sophisticated AI becomes.

Through your research, what signals should business leaders be paying attention to?

One issue that concerns me is the impact AI could have on younger generations entering the workforce. 

For AI to be leveraged effectively, people must first develop strong human-centric skills. Without those foundations, technology can overwhelm rather than empower. 

I often use the metaphor of an exoskeleton. An exoskeleton can enhance your capabilities, but it cannot tell you where to go. You still need the knowledge, judgement and intention to define your destination. I'm also concerned that some organisations are introducing AI systems in ways that create barriers to entry for graduates. If fewer young people gain practical workplace experience, we risk creating future shortages of skilled managers, leaders and entrepreneurs.

This is why collaboration between industry and higher education is so important. We need to create opportunities for students and businesses to learn together, ensuring graduates leave with both the practical experience and future-focused skills employers need.

What do you hope students will gain from this course?

My goal is for students to leave feeling confident, capable and ready for the realities of an AI-enabled workplace. Through the course content, teaching team, research-informed learning and engagement with businesses, students will have opportunities to develop both the human-centric and fusion skills needed for the future.

Ultimately, this course is not purely about understanding AI. It's about learning how to leverage humanistic AI responsibly and effectively, while developing the creativity, judgement and leadership capabilities that will define the next generation of business leaders.

Develop the human and AI skills employers need. Learn more about the MSc AI for Business and Innovation.