Wilson College

AI Skills for Business Leaders

Written by: Wilson College • Jul 14, 2026

A Business Leader Holding a Tablet Meets With a Group of Business Professionals.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is growing at a rapid rate. According to a 2025 report from McKinsey & Co., 88% of businesses now use AI to support at least one business function, a 10 percentage point rise from the year prior. AI’s influence spans virtually every sector and industry, including healthcare , finance, manufacturing, and education.

As AI becomes further embedded in business operations and decision-making, impacting everything from day-to-day workflows to long-term strategic planning, organizations will need their employees to gain the skills required to effectively and ethically use these tools. In a 2024 survey by IBM, CEOs said 35% of their workforce will need retraining and reskilling over the next three years, largely due to AI, which is up from only 6% in 2021.

For business leaders , AI skill development is essential, both to enhance their own expertise and to empower them to be able to guide AI implementation within their organizations. Leaders with the ability to properly leverage this technology and equip their teams to do the same can position their organizations for long-term success.

How Is AI Used in Business?

AI tools are now widely used across multiple business functions, including information technology, marketing, sales, customer service, logistics, and human resources. Although large corporations were the earliest adopters, more small businesses are investing in AI technology. A 2025 U.S. Chamber of Commerce report found that nearly 60% of small businesses currently use AI for their operations.

The following are some of the most common AI applications in business:

Data analysis: AI enables organizations to process and analyze large data sets quickly and efficiently, uncovering patterns and gleaning insights that support forecasting, performance measurement, and strategic decision-making.
Process automation: Businesses use AI to automate routine tasks, such as scheduling, reporting, inventory management, and customer engagement, which can allow employees to focus on higher-value, strategic work.
Marketing and sales: AI facilitates customer segmentation, personalization, and sales forecasting by analyzing customers’ behavior for insights on market trends. These insights help organizations develop marketing campaigns and better align their sales efforts with their customers’ needs.
Cybersecurity: Organizations regularly use AI to strengthen their security posture through continuous monitoring for suspicious activity and enhanced threat detection. Employing AI as part of a broader cybersecurity strategy can help organizations safeguard their sensitive data and prevent costly breaches.
Customer service: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide 24/7 support by handling common inquiries and routine requests from customers. This improves the organizations’ response times and the overall customer experience, while enabling human support teams to focus on more complex issues.

4 Key AI Skills for Business Leaders

A level of proficiency with AI tools and strategy is an increasingly vital skill for business leaders . Beyond that, leaders need to be able to guide their organizations through AI adoption in ways that are ethical, transparent, and centered on people, not just technology.

1. Foundational AI Literacy

To help their teams and organizations get the most out of AI, business leaders themselves need a working understanding of how these tools are used, including their common applications in areas such as data analytics and cybersecurity. This baseline knowledge allows leaders to determine where AI adds value and to make informed decisions about how to use it.

2. Open Communication

As organizations continue to integrate AI into their business operations, clear and transparent communication is essential. According to a recent LinkedIn survey, 9 out of 10 executives agree that soft skills are crucial in the age of AI, with communication ranking as the most sought-after skill. Leaders need to be able to articulate how and why AI is being used while reinforcing how AI supports rather than replaces human expertise, building trust and organizational buy-in among employees.

3. Coaching and Talent Development

Effective AI implementation depends heavily on leaders’ ability to support their employees’ learning and growth alongside new technologies. Business leaders play a key role in guiding employees through this process, encouraging experimentation and fostering psychological safety, so teams feel confident learning new tools and adapting workflows.

4. Leading by Example

Business leaders who use AI, in both their personal and professional lives, signal their curiosity and adaptability to staff. By modeling responsible AI use and sharing lessons learned, leaders establish social proof that encourages adoption and reinforces a culture of continuous learning among employees.

How to Develop AI Skills in Business

AI is reshaping the skill sets professionals need to succeed in today’s business landscape. LinkedIn research shows that the skills needed in many roles have changed by about 25%, on average, since 2015. By 2030, LinkedIn estimates that figure will reach at least 65%, driven largely by the spread of AI.

Build AI Fluency Through Hands-On Use

Business leaders can strengthen their own and their employees’ AI skills by actively using these tools in their workflows and encouraging employees to do the same. Hands-on experimentation through simulations, real-world case studies, or training tied directly to existing projects can help teams better understand AI’s practical applications and develop sound judgment about when and how AI adds value.

Align AI Training With Business Goals

AI skill development is most effective when learning efforts are clearly tied to an organization’s priorities. Leaders should connect employees’ training initiatives to specific business objectives and role-relevant use cases, rather than generic AI literacy goals. Aligning employees’ training with business goals and each team’s particular responsibilities helps staff build greater confidence and competence in using AI tools.

Foster a Culture of Experimentation and Peer Learning

Leaders play a crucial role in creating environments where employees feel comfortable experimenting with AI. Encouraging collaboration, sharing lessons learned, and normalizing trial and error can help teams build skills organically and accelerate adoption more effectively than formal training alone.

Business Leadership in the Age of AI

The future of work will be shaped not just by technology but also by leadership. Understanding how business leaders use AI, and how they can empower their teams to leverage these tools, can help professionals with leadership aspirations navigate change and lead with confidence in an increasingly AI-driven business landscape.

If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership skills, explore the Master of Organizational Leadership program at Wilson College Online. The program’s holistic and human-centered approach can help you become the kind of leader who balances technological innovation with empathy, ethics, and strategic decision-making skills.

Learn how Wilson College Online can help you develop the skills today’s organizations need.

Recommended Readings

How to Become a Creative Director

Management vs. Leadership: Similarities and Differences

What Does a Business Strategy Consultant Do?

Sources:

Business News Daily, “How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Businesses”

DHR Global, “AI in Business: The Leader’s Essential Guide”

Harvard Business Impact, “AI-First Leadership: Embracing the Future of Work”

Harvard Business Review, “5 Critical Skills Leaders Need in the Age of AI”

IBM, “6 Hard Truths CEOs Must Face”

IBM, “Upskilling and Reskilling for Talent Transformation in the Era of AI”