AI in Management: Transforming Traditional Roles for a New Era
AI in management—even given its increasing and expanding use today—may seem rather too ambitious. Of course, as concerns the general workforce, data clearly suggests that AI has become a catalyst for increasing efficiency across industries and improving performance in ways previously unimaginable (1). But can AI also have the same transformative impact on management itself? Whether you agree or not, there is no doubt that AI, particularly generative AI (gen AI), has been reshaping traditional management roles, and the future of management is evolving by the day. Furthermore, with new developments in AI tech and its increased adoption in industries, the role of a manager is poised to undergo a significant shift. But in what ways is AI refurbishing the role of managers in the modern workplace? Let’s explore.
What Does a Manager do?
This is an all-encompassing term if one thinks about how universally it is applied to various roles. And in fact managers hold different titles across industries, and the term also includes C-suite roles like Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Operating Officers (COOs). There are also HR managers, project managers, marketing managers, and more. Regardless of their specific role, these managers—whether C-suite or mid-level—are responsible for a wide range of tasks, such as:
- Setting and aligning team or organizational goals
- Delegating tasks and responsibilities
- Overseeing performance and productivity
- Facilitating communication between teams
- Solving problems and making critical decisions
- Managing budgets and resources
- Driving innovation and growth
- Ensuring compliance with policies and regulations
- Conducting employee evaluations and development programmes
- Fostering team collaboration and morale
Now, let’s assume we’re in the pre-AI era. How would a manager handle all these responsibilities? Here’s a closer look at how things used to be:
- Setting up meetings and numerous emails to align objectives
- Manually assigning tasks and tracking via spreadsheets
- Monitoring team or company performance by analyzing reports manually, taking days to interpret data
- Taking on a host of administrative tasks such as writing emails, scheduling meetings, preparing reports, handling approvals
- Addressing team issues through face-to-face discussions and back-and-forth communication
- Manually calculating expenses and tracking costs using basic financial tools
- Going through extensive reports manually to make informed decisions
Surely, the tasks mentioned above would have required a lot of time and effort on the part of the managers. For instance, a McKinsey global survey on middle managers found that nearly half of a manager’s time is spent on tasks unrelated to core managerial duties (2). Additionally, a significant portion of their time was taken up by what McKinsey calls “individual-contributor work”. These are tasks where the manager is directly responsible for producing a specific output, such as analyzing survey data or creating presentations for leadership. With managers spending so much time on tasks that don’t necessarily align with leadership roles and strategic functions, their focus on innovation, team development, and long-term planning remains compromised. However, with the advent of AI, things are changing—and fast.
ALSO READ: What is General AI? Here’s What You Need to Know
Best AI and ML Courses
Enter Artificial Intelligence
The rise of AI, and particularly generative AI, has been rapid, driven by advancements from tech giants such as Google and OpenAI. Gen AI, specifically, is altering how businesses operate by automating complex tasks, analyzing large datasets in seconds, and offering predictive insights. It enhances workflow efficiency in multiple ways, such as:
- Improves efficiency and productivity
- Cost reduction
- Providing real-time analytics and insights
- Enabling the generation of new ideas
- Enhancing communication
- Streamlining approval processes and reducing bottlenecks
Consequently, it’s no wonder that, when incorporated into management functions, AI would have a similar and radical impact on the traditional roles of managers. But what exactly would this impact entail and how AI in management would refurbish the traditional roles of a manager?
More Programmes From IIM Lucknow
How AI in Management Changes the Traditional Role of Managers
As AI in management becomes a driving force in workplaces, the traditional responsibilities of managers are evolving. AI is fundamentally changing how managers lead teams, make decisions, and contribute to the overall success of their organizations. With AI adoption, the role of managers is shifting from one focused on oversight and execution to one centered around strategy, innovation, and navigating the AI-powered future of work.
ALSO READ: What are the Best LLMs Available in India?
1. A Transition to Leadership Roles
One of the most immediate and impactful changes AI in management brings is the automation of routine, repetitive tasks. AI tools can now handle many of the administrative duties that once occupied significant amounts of a manager’s time. Thus, tasks such as scheduling meetings, processing approvals, generating reports, and managing workflows are all being streamlined by AI-powered solutions. As a result, it frees managers to focus on more strategic, creative, and high-value activities that drive innovation and growth. Thus, the usage of AI in management becomes a catalyst for broadening the creative horizon of managers, turning them into organizational leaders who guide teams toward long-term success rather than simply managing tasks.
2. Focus on Employee Development and Innovation
Managers now have more time to focus on employee development and fostering innovation within their teams. In particular, AI-powered performance management tools allow managers to monitor progress in real-time, identify skill gaps, and provide personalized feedback. Thus, with AI streamlining processes like task delegation, performance tracking, and communication, managers can devote more attention to coaching employees, building leadership skills, and creating a culture of innovation.
3. Becoming AI Educators and Enablers
As AI in management becomes more widespread, managers will have to take on a critical new role: making employees AI-ready. This involves not only introducing AI tools to the workforce but also ensuring that employees are equipped to work alongside these technologies. Managers must now focus on upskilling their teams, teaching them how to effectively use AI tools, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. In this role, managers will have to:
- Organize AI training sessions and workshops for employees
- Facilitate a smooth transition to AI-powered workflows
- Encourage innovation by promoting the use of AI in problem-solving and decision-making
4. Leading AI Initiatives
With the rise of AI in management, many organizations are launching AI initiatives to stay ahead of the curve. These initiatives will require managers to step into a new role as AI advocates and project leaders. In this capacity, managers will become responsible for identifying areas within their departments where AI can add value, overseeing the implementation of AI tools, and driving adoption across the organization. Thus, increased adoption of AI in management will entail new responsibilities for managers, which include:
- Identifying key AI opportunities within their department or sector
- Overseeing the adoption as well as the implementation of AI tools
- Measuring the success and impact of AI-driven initiatives
Thus, the ability to lead such AI initiatives will position managers as key players in the digital transformation of their organizations.
ALSO READ: 4 Powerful Examples of AI That are Shaping Our Future
The global rise of AI technologies is reshaping the way management works. As India remains strongly committed to AI adoption, embracing these advancements is essential for those aiming to stay ahead in the competitive landscape (3). So, if you are ready to leverage AI’s potential in your organization, consider enrolling in IIM Lucknow’s Data Science and AI for Managers programme. In collaboration with Emeritus, this nine-month program dives into essential topics like supervised and unsupervised machine learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), sentiment analysis, deep learning, recommendation systems, and edge computing. Here, you will gain the skills to drive automation and lead AI initiatives with confidence.
Take the step today—download the brochure, explore the course, and get started on your journey to becoming an AI-driven leader. The future of management is here, and this is your chance to be part of it.
Write to us at content@emeritus.org
Sources:
