Former Cisco CEO John Chambers predicts that by 2025, business leaders will need to reinvent themselves annually due to AI’s rapid advancement. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Chambers emphasized that AI’s transformative impact will be more significant than previous technological revolutions, including the internet. He warns that 40% of today’s companies won’t exist in a meaningful way within a decade due to their failure to adapt to AI changes. Chambers advises leaders to focus on three key areas: understanding AI’s capabilities and limitations, developing new leadership skills to manage AI-driven organizations, and creating strategies for continuous adaptation. He particularly stresses the importance of combining human judgment with AI capabilities, noting that successful leaders will be those who can effectively integrate AI while maintaining human-centric decision-making. The article also highlights Chambers’ perspective on AI’s role in business transformation, suggesting that companies must view AI not just as a tool but as a fundamental force reshaping business models and organizational structures. He emphasizes that the pace of change will require unprecedented levels of adaptability from leaders, with those who fail to evolve quickly becoming obsolete. The conclusion underscores the urgency for business leaders to embrace continuous learning and transformation in the AI era.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/leaders-ai-reinvent-every-year-cisco-john-chambers-2025-5