By Laura Peterson, Senior Managing Director, Americas Operations Lead, Accenture
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly within industries like communications and media, generative AI (Gen AI) has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance productivity, decision-making, and operational efficiency.
A recent trend we’ve observed is a growing interest in leveraging AI to streamline not only leadership decision making, but workforce management and talent attraction too. Leaders are seeking innovative ways to unlock insights, make informed decisions, and drive growth while developing a strong workforce and retaining the best talent while keeping an eye on the future.
Empowering Executive Decision Making with Data-Driven Insights and… a Human Touch
Gen AI, with its capacity to process vast amounts of data and generate high-quality content, offers a promising solution to these challenges. By harnessing the power of large language models and advanced AI techniques, leaders can extract valuable insights from diverse data sources, such as financial reports, customer feedback, and market trends, underscoring the transformative impact Gen AI has on making strategic decisions, identifying emerging opportunities, or mitigating risks.
But there is a caveat to this. Our research shows that the true potential of Gen AI lies in its trio of opportunities: it can accelerate economic value and drive business growth while also fostering more creative and meaningful work for people. Leaders that embrace the potential of technologies like generative AI and encourage staff reskilling will create an engaging, competitive work environment and experience remarkable growth, increased productivity and cost reduction, and enriched customer experiences.
As AI adoption grows, it’s crucial for organizations to develop confident leaders who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to unlock AI’s strategic potential and transform it into a meaningful tool that enhances people and processes.
For example, training teams on effectively prompting and utilizing AI agents to tackle complex tasks can drive impactful business outcomes. Innovative approaches, such as leveraging AI to streamline campaign creation and execution, can deliver strategic results: reducing manual steps, increasing cost savings, and accelerating speed to market.
While Gen AI offers immense potential, it is crucial to approach its implementation with a human-centered perspective. This involves carefully considering where, when, and how AI can be effectively utilized to augment human capabilities. By viewing AI as an “AI pair” or “helper,” employees can be freed from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more creative, strategic, and collaborative work.
A Future Empowered by Human-Centered AI
As Gen AI continues to evolve, its impact on leadership will only grow stronger. By embracing this technology and adopting a human-centered approach, leaders can unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
Based on what we’re experiencing and noticing with our stakeholders, here are the strategic areas to reflect upon to navigate the change effectively:
1️ Anticipate shifts: Start by identifying how work will change, assessing the impact on roles, and pinpointing the skills needed for every AI-driven initiative. A robust talent strategy is key.
2️ Build adaptability: Establish people-centered change practices that help employees understand the impact of AI on their roles and experiences.
3️ Invest in learning: Whether through internal resources or partnerships, prioritize continuous learning programs to ensure employees have the skills to thrive in a transformed workplace.
4️ Empower HR as a strategic partner: Evaluate HR capabilities and invest in the tools and competencies needed to support your vision for reinvention.
5️ Revisit your employee value proposition: Ensure your organization’s commitment to employees reflects in your use of AI, making people feel valued and supported at every step.
Ultimately, the future of leadership is not solely about technological advancement. It’s about creating a world where technology and human insight converge to drive progress, efficiency, and innovation.
About the Author
Laura is a Senior Managing Director and the Americas Market Lead of Accenture Operations. She works with clients to deliver sustainable growth and competitiveness through strategic managed services. Accenture Operations offers and delivers a comprehensive portfolio of enterprise, growth, and core industry business process services, including R&D, procurement, supply chain, finance, HR, marketing and sales, customer service and support, and trust and safety, as well as industry-specific business services in banking, insurance, capital markets, telecom, utilities, software and platforms, and health and life sciences.
In addition, Laura is the office managing director for Accenture in New York Metro. In this role, she leads Accenture’s 7,000+ people aligned to the region, as well as clients and community-related efforts. As a leading voice in the technology and business community in New York, Laura is a member of the Tech:NYC board and a David Rockefeller Fellow at Partnership for New York City where she is working with industry, technology and civic leaders to shape the city’s future.
Before assuming her current position in 2024, Laura managed a client portfolio of the world’s most recognizable brands in the wireless, media, entertainment, high tech, and software and platform industries, and was a vital part of driving the industry group’s global revenues of $11.5B in fiscal 2023, where she was also accountable for Accenture’s strategy, talent development, growth and delivery for its Communication, Media and Technology (CMT) clients. In her prior 24 years with Accenture, she’s played a number of leadership roles across Accenture’s businesses, including Operations, Shared Services Advisory, Customer Growth Services with clients within CMT as well as Retail, Life Sciences, Industrial, Mining and Consumer Goods.
Laura is often recognized among powerful women in business and is awarded for her leadership and focus on diversity. She received Seramount’s 2022 Women of Excellence honors and Crain’s New York Business “Notable Women in Accounting and Consulting” award. She is active in local causes and volunteerism programs in New York and serves on the WICT Network’s global board of directors and is a member of the Women’s Forum of New York.
Article published: December 19, 2024
