AI has the power to streamline board operations. But with automation comes a hidden cost: the erosion of board chairs’ influence. As AI takes over routine tasks, it can quietly displace the strategic thinking that defines effective senior leadership. Here’s how to safeguard that power.
Recognize which tasks carry influence. Power-conduit tasks—like shaping agendas, framing and summarizing discussions, and evaluating board members—may seem administrative, but they’re core to a chair’s authority. These responsibilities establish meeting flow, guide narratives, and ultimately shape team dynamics. Outsourcing them to AI risks diluting the human insight and judgment they require.
Distinguish what shouldn’t (and can’t) be automated. Certain roles demand empathy, discretion, and real-time decision-making. Whether it’s reading the room, setting a meeting’s tone, or delivering difficult feedback, these leadership moments hinge on experience and emotional intelligence—not efficiency. Use AI to assist, but not to replace.
Set boundaries that preserve human leadership. Establish where AI can support without overruling judgment. Let AI propose—but not finalize—agendas. Use it to draft summaries, but keep final synthesis in human hands. Codify these boundaries to ensure that technology augments rather than undermines leadership. |
