Courageous Leadership in the Age of AI: Key Insights from The Malaysia Leadership Summit 2024 (Part 1)

In an era marked by rapid technological evolution and the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), leaders across the globe face an urgent call to navigate uncharted territories with vision and courage. The Malaysia Leadership Summit 2024, sponsored by Sime Darby Property alongside Leaderonomics, Malaysia HR Forum and Together We Can Change The World, convened thought leaders and experts to address the pressing challenges and opportunities that AI presents to modern leadership. The summit’s theme, "Courageous Leadership in the Age of AI," encouraged participants to adopt an explorer’s mindset—embracing curiosity, agility, and a willingness to evolve.

The Great AI Gatsby: Turning Innovation into Profit by Manoj Menon

When we think of "The Great Gatsby," images of the Roaring Twenties spring to mind—a time of unprecedented technological change, economic prosperity, and cultural shifts. The 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, were marked by the rise of automobiles, the booming stock market, and the widespread popularity of jazz. It was within this dynamic era that F. Scott Fitzgerald set his iconic novel, The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby and AI I Manoj Menon

In the novel, Gatsby's relentless pursuit of wealth and status reflects the broader societal aspiration for success. Mr. Menon opines that, AI represents a similar pursuit — a vision of a future where technology solves humanity's greatest challenges, from climate change to healthcare. Leaders in AI, like Elon Musk, believe that AI could create a world of abundance where work as we know it becomes obsolete, and the cost of goods and services plummets to near zero. This vision echoes the idealism of Gatsby, who believed in the possibility of achieving his dream against all odds.

AI is the most powerful tool humanity has ever created. The rate of improvement is faster than any technology we have ever seen. - Elon Musk

The Power and Potential of AI

AI's potential lies in its ability to perform tasks with superhuman efficiency and creativity. It's a computer that can pretend to be human (perceive, reason, learn, interact with teh world, problem solve and more), without the limitations that humans have. In 2017, a program called AlphaZero shocked the world by defeating Stockfish, a leading chess program, after only four hours of self-training. This victory was not merely about AI winning a game; it demonstrated that AI could think in ways that humans had not, opening up new realms of possibilities.

The comparison to the iPhone’s revolutionary impact is apt. When the iPhone launched in 2007, it combined three previously separate functions — music, camera, and internet — into one device, sparking a technological revolution. Similarly, AI is now transforming various industries by becoming more accessible and intuitive. Applications range from assisting in holiday planning to revolutionising customer service with conversational AI engines, as seen with companies like Expedia (in-app trip planning feature) and SK Telecom.

The Three Stages of AI Adoption

As companies navigate the AI landscape, they typically move through three stages: AI-ready, AI-native, and AI-reimagined.

1. AI-ready: Companies start by integrating AI into existing systems to improve efficiency. For example, BMW's parking assist is an AI-ready feature that enhances user experience without fundamentally changing the product.
2. AI-native: In this stage, AI becomes central to a company’s operations. Autonomous vehicles, where the AI drives the car without human intervention, are a prime example of AI-native technology.
3. AI-reimagined: The final stage involves completely rethinking what is possible with AI. Elon Musk's vision of a $20,000 personal robot for every household is an example of AI reimagined—a future where AI is so integrated into our lives that it becomes indispensable.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

However, much like Gatsby's tragic pursuit of an unattainable dream, the rise of AI comes with significant challenges. There are concerns about job displacement, income inequality, and the potential misuse of AI for harmful purposes. The monopolisation of AI profits by a few companies, like NVIDIA, also raises questions about economic fairness and the concentration of power.

Moreover, the potential for AI to create highly targeted and dangerous technologies, such as chemical weapons or sophisticated scams, underscores the need for careful governance and ethical considerations.

Democratising AI: A Path Forward

The key to unlocking AI's full potential lies in democratising its use. Rather than centralising control, the goal should be to empower various teams — legal, finance, HR — to use AI tools effectively and responsibly. By doing so, companies can innovate at scale while maintaining ethical standards.

As we look to the future, the success of AI will depend on how well we navigate its challenges. Just as Gatsby's dream was both a source of hope and tragedy, the AI revolution holds the potential for incredible advancements, but only if managed wisely. 

Conscious Leadership with AI: Aligning Values, Technology and Human Potential  by Tareef Jafferi

Today, AI gives us the impression that we're moving at an incredible speed—like going 140 or 180 kilometers per hour—yet we may not be advancing in the right direction. This raises two important questions: Are we accelerating the right processes? And why are we optimising certain tasks? In business, where conditions are often unpredictable and complex, it’s crucial to apply the right leadership strategy. While some leaders excel in straight, clear paths, the real challenge is in navigating the twists and turns of an uncertain environment. Leadership today is more about managing these complexities than it is about driving at top speed on a straight road.

To be effective in this complex world, Tareef says, leaders must anticipate, adapt, and align their actions with their goals. Anticipation involves gathering the right information at the right time. For example, relying on outdated employee engagement surveys may give you information too late to be useful. Instead, real-time data collection and analysis are key to staying ahead. Adaptation means using this information to respond to challenges and opportunities as they arise. Finally, alignment ensures that everyone in the organisation is on the same page, working towards the same goals. This requires clear communication and a shared understanding of what truly matters.

Navigating the Corners - Anticipate, Adapt and Align I Tareef Jafferi

Leaders also act as choice architects, designing the environment in which their teams operate. By setting up systems that encourage the right behaviours, leaders can create a culture that reflects the organisation’s core values. For instance, placing healthy food in accessible locations encourages healthier eating habits. Similarly, in the workplace, Tareef holds the view that, where you place certain tools or how you structure processes can significantly impact behaviour. These seemingly small decisions compound over time, leading to meaningful changes.

Motivation, ability, and prompt are the three key elements that influence behaviour. When these elements align, behaviour change becomes more predictable. For example, adding fun elements to a task can increase motivation without necessarily altering one’s ability to complete it. In the workplace, simplifying processes or providing the right tools can enhance employees’ ability to perform tasks efficiently. Prompts, like reminders or visual cues, can nudge people towards the desired behaviour.

Design dictates behaviour more than willpower. Instead of constantly trying to motivate people to change, leaders should focus on designing systems that naturally guide them toward the right actions.

One of the most powerful aspects of leadership is aligning the organisation’s values with its daily operations. Values shouldn’t just be words on a wall; they should guide every decision and action. However, not all values are created equal. Some are foundational, like respect and integrity, and serve as the baseline for behaviour. Core values, on the other hand, set your organisation apart from others. These are the values that you prioritise above all else. Finally, there are aspirational values, which require significant effort and change to achieve. Leaders must be selective in choosing which values to focus on, ensuring they align with the organisation's goals.

Measuring the impact of these values is crucial. Tareef maintains that leading indicators, such as employee engagement or customer satisfaction scores, provide insights into how well the organisation is living its values. For instance, if continuous learning is a core value, leaders should regularly measure how often employees engage in learning activities. By tracking these metrics over time, organisations can identify areas where they need to improve and reinforce their values.

In conclusion, while AI and other digital tools offer incredible speed and efficiency, leaders must be mindful of where and how they apply these tools. The goal should not be speed for its own sake but thoughtful, intentional design that aligns with the organisation’s values and objectives. 

Unlocking the Power of Curiosity to Uncover Talent Within Your Organisation in the Age of AI by Jean Marie DiGiovanna

To harness the true potential of your organisation, it begins with acknowledging the talent that already exists within your teams. There is often an untapped reservoir of skills, knowledge, and passion hidden within people. The key to uncovering these treasures? Asking powerful questions that delve beneath the surface of day-to-day interactions.

Great leaders know the value of asking great questions.- Jean Marie DiGiovanna

It is through these great questions that hidden talent is uncovered, and innovative ideas are brought to light. Questions create space for people to think for themselves and express their thoughts and feelings, which in turn nurtures a culture of curiosity, innovation, and continuous growth. By asking the right questions, leaders make their teams feel seen, heard, and understood.

Consider how, as children, we are full of questions, brimming with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. But as we grow older, striving to become experts in our fields, we tend to ask fewer questions. Yet, one of the most powerful tools we possess as humans is our self-awareness—the ability to reflect, inquire, and remain curious. This innate skill, often overlooked, is the secret to leveraging our potential, where anything and everything becomes possible.

 There's always something to learn I Jean Marie DiGiovanna

In an era dominated by technology and AI, Jean opines that curiosity is the new currency. While AI can process information and provide data-driven insights, curiosity is what keeps us connected to our humanity. It allows us to remain agile, flexible, and adaptive in this rapidly changing landscape. Curiosity is what keeps us moving forward, enabling us to explore new perspectives and push boundaries.

One of the biggest barriers to curiosity, however, is our own mind. While it allows us to be creative and innovative, it can also lead us to judge, categorise, and box people and ideas. The mind cannot be curious and judgmental at the same time—it can only be in one state at a time. So, why not choose curiosity?

How to Cultivate Curiosity Within Your Teams

To foster a culture of curiosity, Jean believes, leaders need to consciously practice self-awareness and mindfulness. Here are some ways to build curiosity within your organisation:

1. Be Present: Remove all preconceived notions about a person and focus on the moment. Listen actively without letting past judgments cloud your view.
2. Remove Judgement: It takes self-awareness and intentional effort to hold back judgment. Instead of labelling people or their ideas, focus on how you can support them and offer your attention.
3. Accept and Honour Diversity: Embrace the different experiences, perspectives, and cultures within your team. Accepting people as they are builds a foundation of trust and openness.
4. Ask Different Questions: Transform the way you ask questions by using more "What" or "How" queries. This opens the door to deeper thinking and exploration. Stop talking, start asking, and watch your team transform from the inside out.

There's always something more to learn - Leonardo Da Vinci

In conclusion, while AI is indeed a powerful tool, curiosity remains the driving force that distinguishes leaders who inspire, innovate, and lead with impact. By cultivating a mindset of curiosity, we not only uncover hidden talent but also create a thriving environment where everyone can contribute their best. So, the next time you're with your team, take a step back, and ask yourself — how can I be more curious today?

Punching Above Your Weight: Leadership, Technology and Fighting Cyber-Crime in Your Business by Danny Kim

The entrepreneurial mindset is not just for business founders; it's a critical trait that everyone should cultivate, especially in an AI-driven world where creativity and innovation are key. This mindset, characterised by out-of-the-box thinking and a refusal to accept limitations, first became clear to Danny Kim when he co-founded FullArmor Corp 38 years ago in his parents' basement. Danny and his co-founders bootstrapped every aspect of the business, from coding to packaging, even using a hair dryer to shrink-wrap their products. This experience highlighted the importance of resourcefulness and innovation, traits that became the foundation of their career and continue to drive them today.

Danny Kim and the co-founders of FullArmor (background) I Danny Kim

One of their pivotal moments came when Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, asked them to secure every computer in their stores. However, a bug in their software caused every computer to crash, leading to potential litigation. By fixing the problem for free and offering to return the money, they managed to turn the situation around. This experience taught them that  - a business built on integrity and innovation can overcome even the toughest challenges. 

Danny’s involvement in education over the past nine years, starting as a parent volunteer at a high school in San Jose, CA, further cemented the value of the entrepreneurial mindset. Witnessing the passion and innovation of students involved in a space program that sent experiments to the International Space Station inspired Danny to democratise access to such experiences. He proposed a system that reduced the cost of space experiments, enabling millions of students to participate. Despite initial scepticism, he successfully developed the technology, proving that innovative thinking can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

This mindset was put to the test again when his students and Danny entered an X Prize competition to map the ocean floor at 5,000 meters. Competing against teams with decades of experience and million-dollar budgets, they had minimal resources but an abundance of determination. The students secured donations, learned to operate complex equipment, and made it to the final round, demonstrating that persistence and innovative thinking can break through any barriers. Their success illustrated the power of a mindset that refuses to accept limitations and constantly pushes boundaries.

In cybersecurity, this entrepreneurial approach led to the development of a groundbreaking solution at Danny’s company. They tackled the challenge of removing open ports from servers —a major security vulnerability—without disrupting the existing environment. Their product, when tested by a government agency, reduced cyberattacks from thousands per month to zero. This experience underscored the importance of challenging conventional methods and embracing innovation to solve critical problems in both education and industry. Today, these principles continue to guide FullArmor as they serve clients like the USA government agencies, FBI, and the White House, proving that trust and entrepreneurial thinking are the cornerstones of long-term success —something AI simply can’t replicate.

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