Source: Fortune
Summary
Many executives use AI to summarize documents and draft emails, with 68% of U.S. and U.K. leaders using the technology for summaries and 58% for emails, according to a survey. LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella rely on AI for communication tasks. Hachette CEO David Shelley warns that overreliance on AI could create a communication crisis and weaken leadership skills. Studies suggest AI use may reduce critical thinking and the ability to form original ideas. Experts argue that reading and writing remain essential for leadership and emotional intelligence.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
CEOs use AI to draft emails and summarize reports.
Some leaders, like Shelley, resist the trend.
AI may weaken critical thinking and leadership skills.
Reading remains a key skill for leaders, but it’s fading.
Author: Evan Null
AI in the C-Suite
More than two-thirds of U.S. and U.K. executives use AI to summarize documents, and nearly 60% use it to draft emails. The trend is growing as leaders seek to manage the constant flow of information. AI tools are now part of daily routines for top executives, including LinkedIn’s Ryan Roslansky and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella. These tools help condense information and streamline communication, but some leaders are wary of overreliance.
CEO Concerns
Hachette CEO David Shelley warns that AI could create a communication crisis by making written messages feel inauthentic. He argues that leaders need to write their own messages to maintain a human connection. Shelley believes that overreliance on AI may dull a leader’s instincts and weaken critical thinking. He also fears that AI is accelerating a decline in reading for pleasure, a habit once associated with successful leaders.
Reading and Leadership
Reading is a common habit among successful leaders, with 46% of U.K. adults saying distractions make it hard to focus. Studies show that reading literary fiction can improve emotional intelligence and the ability to understand others. Experts like Daniela Amodei suggest that AI could make human skills like empathy and communication more valuable. However, some worry that AI is making people rely on shortcuts instead of developing deep thinking and reading habits.
The Risk of AI Overuse
Experts warn that heavy AI use can lead to cognitive offloading, where people rely too much on technology and lose the ability to think independently. A 2025 MIT study found that participants who used AI to write essays showed weaker brain engagement. Natalie Sutton, a communications consultant, says that imperfect messages from a CEO can be more effective than flawless ones written by AI. She argues that sincerity, not perfection, is what employees value most.
The Future of Leadership
Some leaders believe AI will free up time for more creative and strategic work, but others fear it may weaken essential leadership skills. David Meadvin, a former Senate speechwriter, uses reading to stay sharp and protect his mental health. He believes that in a world of constant disruption, self-awareness and lifelong learning are crucial. As AI becomes more common, the challenge for leaders is to balance efficiency with the human qualities that make them effective.
