You know those TV shows and films where the FBI arrives to take over the case from the disgruntled local sheriff?

And eventually it turns out that the sheriff knew best? Even the FBI, with their fancy reputation and limitless resources, couldn’t succeed without the sheriff’s knowledge and experience?

What usually happens in those shows is that the sheriff, nose out of joint, sits back and looks on, watching as the FBI goes through its motions.

Then something happens that shows the sheriff was needed all along.

You’re still the sheriff round here

I’m sure you’ve guessed where I’m going here – as a business leader, you are the sheriff, and AI is the FBI. May I extend the analogy a little further?

Like our sheriff, what sets you apart is relationships – you’re familiar with your workforce, customers and clients at a very human level. You know what makes them tick. What triggers them. What they might find funny.

And you have feelings. Like the coldly calculating FBI (stay with me here!), AI does not. Your honed capacity for empathy is one of the qualities that elevates all of your work.

However, AI is very impressive. People are being swept up. They’re tempted to let it take the reins.

And this is the big moment – when you step up and remind everyone that you’re still the boss. Yep, we’re at the ‘I’m still the sheriff round here’ scene.

What taking control of AI looks like

So, yes, absolutely, AI should be used. It’s naive to advise otherwise. But a leader must be mindful of all AI’s implications. We must keep the tech’s flaws front of mind for ourselves and our colleagues – because it’s oh so tempting to overlook them when you’re on a deadline and it can summarise that 300-page report in seconds. And it might be you who asked for that summary.

Then there’s the environmental dimension. AI absolutely devours energy. If sustainability is core to your vision or brand, you cannot lean heavily on it.

But once you’ve set your ethical framework, get the absolute maximum you can out of AI. A big part of your leadership in the AI age is to stay on top of what that maximum is – with the pace of the tech’s evolution, it’s going to change every month, possibly every week. 

After all, you’d stay on top of other metrics – here’s another non-negotiable for your list. You’re not in the least bit techy? Then delegate. But if you’re going to generate the kinds of carbon emissions pumped out by AI, make sure they’re not entering the atmosphere for nothing.

And don’t waste any time that AI dramatically frees up either. This tech is offering us something very precious – room to innovate. As leaders, it’s on us to work out what that means and how to make it happen.