AI-powered CEO messages raise authenticity concerns

As generative AI increasingly permeates the business world, its application to executive communication represents a particularly significant shift. The potential for CEOs to leverage AI in drafting messages to employees could dramatically reshape how leadership communicates, impacting both operational efficiency and organizational culture. This change could reclaim valuable executive time while raising important questions about authenticity and the human element in leadership communication.

The big picture: Executives currently spend nearly a quarter of their workday on electronic communications, presenting a significant opportunity for AI to reclaim valuable leadership time.

• Harvard Business School research from 2018 found that 24% of the average executive’s day is allocated to electronic communication.
• CEOs are already experimenting with using generative AI to draft personal messages, a natural extension given AI’s growing proficiency in mimicking human writing.

Why this matters: AI-drafted executive communications could fundamentally transform how leadership connects with employees, potentially shifting organizational culture.

• The efficiency gains could be substantial, allowing executives to reallocate time to more strategic priorities.
• However, the authenticity of leadership communication—often considered essential for building trust and organizational cohesion—could be compromised.

Potential implications: The shift toward AI-assisted executive communication raises important questions about the evolving balance between efficiency and authentic human leadership.

• Companies may need to develop new frameworks for determining when AI assistance is appropriate versus when direct human composition is essential.
• The effectiveness of AI-drafted communications on employee engagement, trust, and organizational culture will likely become an important area of research.