How to figure out if an executive is AI fluent

"AI fluency is quickly becoming the new leadership divide: Some executives are already embedding it into strategy, while others are still asking what it means. The gap is widening-and it's shaping who gets hired to lead. That's why AI fluency is becoming a top priority in leadership searches. Not deep technical mastery, but a practical understanding of how these tools work and where they apply. Companies want leaders who aren't just talking about transformation but are actively engaged in it. People who've run pilots, evaluated risks, collaborated with product and tech, or led adoption efforts in their function."

"They don't need to be engineers. But they do need to know what these tools can (and can't) do-and how to help others use them responsibly. Executives at the forefront are already putting AI to work in meaningful, strategic ways. According to Salesforce, top-tier leaders are leveraging AI for critical tasks: running high-stakes market analysis, stress testing new business ideas before launch, and anticipating market shifts before they happen."

"A recent TechRadar piece reports that 74% of executives now trust AI's input more than that of colleagues, with 44% "willing to let it override their own decisions." AI has become more than a dashboard-it's a boardroom copilot. Behind the scenes, back-office leaders are increasing AI spending: 92% of executives surveyed plan to ramp up investments in AI over the next three years, and 55% expect a boost of at least 10%."

AI fluency is emerging as a decisive leadership attribute that influences hiring and strategic direction. Practical understanding of AI, rather than deep engineering expertise, is becoming the priority for leadership searches. Leaders with experience running pilots, evaluating risks, collaborating with product and tech, or driving adoption are in demand. Executives are using AI for market analysis, stress testing business ideas, and anticipating shifts, and many now trust AI input in high-stakes decisions. Organizations plan sizable increases in AI investment, but execution remains uneven and measurable productivity gains are critical for successful scaling.

Read at Fast Company