COMPUTATIONAL LEADERSHIP: REMAINING INNOVATIVE AND PEOPLE-CENTERED IN THE AGE OF AI

Abstract

Spisak conducts a variety of activities and areas of research, including being a research associate at the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University). His major concept, computational leadership, is described as a “leadership process that seamlessly integrates high-quality data and state-of-the-art technology with practical insights and validated social science.” In discussion of his creation of the concept, he writes that “science provides a clear plan of action, data informs this plan, tech scales it, and experience makes it human,” and in the intersection of artificial intelligence/AI and leadership, he notes his personal principle and motto: “Leadership First, Tech Last.” He writes of the dangers and potential pitfalls of organizational use of chatbots, and of the dangers of “blind adoption of technology without a robust plan in place.” For the application of computational leadership, five steps are outlined, which in his words are (1) Define Ambitious Goals Guided by Science (2) Leverage Data for Strategic Decision-Making (3) Embrace Technology with Purpose (4) Combine Experience with Innovation (5) Communicate Your Vision Clearly. Responsible AI is outlined in his words in four imperatives: Informed participation; transparent objectives; Employee and Stakeholder Well-Being; and Data Management.