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AI Leadership Insights

AI expands what companies can do. Leaders determine what it delivers.

AI expands enterprise capability, but leaders remain accountable for where and how it is used. Creating business value from AI requires leaders who can set direction, redesign how the organization operates, and build a performance culture that scales AI as the technology evolves.

Explore our latest research, insights, and perspectives on the leadership, talent, organization, and culture shaping the AI-enabled enterprise.

Finding the human core of competitive advantage in the AI era

Our client conversations and research show how leaders’ expectations shape AI adoption, decision-making, and performance and what it takes to make the human side of AI a source of competitive advantage.

AI and on-demand talent
From 2026 High-End Independent Talent Report (April 2026) 
25%
of all requests for interim talent across business functions are related to digital, data, and AI—highlighting how these priorities are increasingly embedded across functions rather than confined to technology teams.
AI talent on demand: Insights from BTG, a Heidrick & Struggles company
Scaling LLM Inclusivity: AI Language Expansion for a Global Nonprofit

A global nonprofit engaged AI specialists to improve large language model performance across 11 underserved African languages. The work produced scalable methods for improving AI in low-data environments and expanding access to critical digital services.

AI and Machine Learning: How Independent AI Experts Are Helping Companies Get Ahead of Disruption

This article explores four key ways to leverage on-demand talent and practical skills on your AI journey.

More AI resources

Generative AI and other advanced AI models are poised to deliver enormous benefits for companies, but business leaders face multiple hurdles with understanding and implementing them—most notably finding experienced AI talent. On-demand talent is proving to be key for leaders to begin assessing opportunities and developing AI strategies. Learn more and start moving forward on your AI leadership journey.

AI leadership in the media
Here is what Heidrick & Struggles' consultants are talking about.
TechTarget CIO

The AI talent wars explained: What CIOs need to know

 

CIOs struggle to hire AI talent due to high demand and limited supply. The competition, known as the AI talent wars, drives up salaries and extends hiring timelines.

April 7, 2026

Corporate Board Member

Boards May Need To ‘Build’ Their Own AI-Literate Candidates

 

The shortage of AI-literate directors is pushing boards to look beyond conventional recruitment and start building a stronger future bench now.

March 19, 2026

The New York Times

Talking A.I. with the C.E.O. of Heidrick & Struggles

 

From the DealBook newsletter.

February 27, 2026

HBS Managing the Future of Work

Executive recruiting: Tom Monahan on algorithmic power brokers and adaptability

 

Corner office churn is up as demands multiply. Heidrick & Struggles' CEO explains what CVs leave out and why flexibility and organizational fit matter more as AI and global volatility undercut the predictive power of past performance. Also, AI-enhanced recruiting and lifelong learning.

February 25, 2026

Fast Company

AI for the analog executive

 

Three ways for late-adopter leaders to overcome the AI learning curve.

February 2, 2026

Meet the team
Nicholas DeMagistris
Global Lead, Digital Infrastructure
Sarah Driscoll
Global Lead, Technology Services
David Crawford
Regional Managing Partner, APAC & Middle East
Kelly O. Kay
Global Lead, Software & AI
Ryan Bulkoski
Global Co-Lead, AI & Technology Officers
Katherine Graham Shannon
Global Co-Lead, AI & Technology Officers
Sam Burman
Global Lead, Frontier Tech