WB-40 (329) AI Leadership
May 20, 2025
Matt Cockbill, an executive search consultant with over 20 years' experience in hiring tech leaders, shares insightful perspectives on AI leadership and talent acquisition. He discusses the challenge of finding seasoned leaders in the fast-evolving realm of generative AI and the importance of assessing true expertise. The conversation highlights the need for tech leaders to articulate a compelling vision while focusing on tangible business outcomes. Cockbill emphasizes strategic partnerships and storytelling as essential skills for leaders navigating the complexities of AI integration.
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Scarcity of Generative AI Leaders
- Generative AI leadership talent is scarce due to its novelty and the difficulty in proving deep experience.
- Organizations may need to partner with academia to access cutting-edge skill and convert use cases into business value.
Shift From Cost Cut to Growth
- Post-COVID tech investments shifted from transformation to cost management.
- AI hype has renewed focus but firms seek leaders with experience driving growth and value, not just cost cutting.
Verify Generative AI Claims
- Treat claims of extensive generative AI experience with caution and verify credentials.
- Focus leadership searches on those who have proven value delivery in generative AI contexts.