Accenture CEO Julie Sweet emphasizes that for companies to successfully transform using artificial intelligence, the change must start at the very top. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sweet argued that leaders cannot guide their organizations through AI adoption without a deep, hands-on understanding of the technology.
The Three-Year Benchmark
Sweet proposes a clear metric for success: within three years, a CEO should be able to demonstrate that their company offers distinct services and generates new insights specifically enabled by AI. Achieving this requires a strategy of "leader-led learning."
The Necessity of Hands-On Leadership
The central argument is that theoretical knowledge is insufficient. Sweet cited a tangible example where a client organization remained stagnant until their top 300 leaders physically used AI tools ("touched keyboards"). Similarly, Accenture trained its top 50 leaders immediately following the AI boom in late 2022 to ensure they "got their hands dirty" to unlock the technology’s possibilities.
Implications for Regulators
The need for education extends beyond the corporate boardroom. Sweet warned that regulators and government officials must also undergo leader-led learning. If regulators lack understanding, they risk blocking AI advancements, which would prevent industries from scaling and succeeding.
Mentoring question
As a leader, are you personally ‘touching the keyboard’ to understand the capabilities and limitations of AI, or are you relying entirely on your team to interpret its value for your organization?