Want to get ahead? Talk to your (AI) CEO

In a groundbreaking move, Alex Alonso has effectively created a digital twin of his CEO, Johnny Taylor Jr., leveraging emails and public appearances to develop an AI-powered chatbot. This innovative AI CEO provides Alonso with feedback on his work ideas, ensuring that the proposals he presents to the actual Taylor are well-prepared. Although Alonso describes the outcomes as a 'work in progress,' he notes that the chatbot has inspired him to tackle challenges from new perspectives. Alonso's initiative is part of a larger trend where companies are increasingly adopting AI replicas of their leaders, making senior executives more accessible to both employees and the public. This shift comes amid growing concerns about AI's impact on job security for rank-and-file workers. According to Sumeet Gupta, a senior managing director at FTI Consulting, there has been a noticeable rise in interest for AI digital twins over the past six months. Suman Kanuganti, CEO and co-founder of Personal AI, which assists firms in creating these AI doubles, reported a surge in demand starting in late 2024. Interestingly, some employees are already embracing this technology. Alonso remarked, "I’m not saying my colleagues are attempting to bribe me for access to this AI, but you’d be surprised." Having an AI CEO on standby has proven appealing to companies. Klarna, for instance, launched a hotline in June allowing users to interact with an AI version of CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski. The hotline has received over 3,000 inquiries about various topics, including app functionality and payment options. Siemiatkowski’s avatar has even provided insights from the company’s earnings reports. Similarly, Zoom has explored this concept, and experts like Scott Likens, global chief AI engineer for PwC, suggest that AI avatars could significantly reduce the need for executive travel, as they can be programmed to communicate in multiple languages. Jean-Yves Couput, a senior executive advisor at Salomon, shared that the company is testing an AI version of CEO Guillaume Meyzenq to improve access for global employees and preserve his vision for future transitions. Currently, around 40 employees at Salomon have access to Meyzenq’s AI persona, with new hires being the most frequent users. The company is also investigating additional applications for this technology, including an AI-generated buddy to help onboard new staff. AI personas are typically limited to specific subjects, focusing on areas like financial history or HR resources, and are trained using company data that includes public recordings and emails. Klarna utilized Siemiatkowski’s authentic voice and communication style to develop its AI hotline. While creating these AI doubles can be quick once the necessary data is gathered, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations is crucial. The emergence of AI has raised alarms regarding potential job losses, particularly in white-collar sectors. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, previously warned that AI could lead to increased unemployment. Notable companies like Amazon, Meta, and Salesforce have already made substantial workforce reductions partly attributed to AI advancements. Despite concerns, there are arguments suggesting that AI could create new job opportunities and allow workers to concentrate on more fulfilling aspects of their roles. A PwC survey of 300 senior executives revealed that 79% report AI agents are being integrated into their operations. When questioned about the potential for AI to replace human staff, Klarna’s AI avatar thoughtfully responded, "At Klarna, we view AI as a tool to enhance our work, not to completely replace our human teams." This sentiment reflects a broader perspective among businesses, emphasizing collaboration between AI and human workers rather than replacement.