In a world of constant transformation, emerging technologies are reshaping the rules of business. Among them, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only emerging as an innovative tool but also as a strategic pillar that redefines business models and drives economic growth towards 2025.

AI should be seen as a strategic ally that enhances human potential and creativity to drive innovation. Beyond automating tasks and processes, AI has the power to reimagine how organizations are managed, how decisions are made, and how operations are optimized. For this reason, its adoption cannot be limited to a technical approach; it requires clear and committed leadership from top management—especially CEOs—who must play a central role in setting priorities, guiding implementation, and ensuring that AI’s impact is reflected in both business growth and value creation for teams. Their vision must go beyond operations, fostering a cultural transformation that promotes innovation and organizational agility.

In this context, there are five key areas that a CEO must address to successfully lead in an AI-transformed environment.

The first step is encouraging business leaders to explore AI’s possibilities, both in its traditional form—based on machine learning, computation, and predictive algorithms—and in its more modern "generative" version, which has gained prominence thanks to advances in computing and the massive availability of data. CEOs must be the first to embrace curiosity and learn from others' experiences, without fear of asking questions and discovering how these technologies can generate real value.

Once AI’s capabilities are understood, the next step is to envision the organization’s future. CEOs should ask themselves what could be done differently by fully leveraging AI’s potential—how it could enhance customer service, optimize internal processes, or improve operational efficiency. This stage requires a creative mindset to envision how AI can transform the business model and existing processes.

The third step is moving from imagination to action. It is no longer enough to run proof-of-concept trials; organizations must develop a clear deployment plan to integrate AI into their business structure. It is crucial to have a multidisciplinary team that not only has deep technological knowledge but also understands how to apply AI effectively within the business. Rather than creating a specific role such as Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, companies should involve professionals from different areas to work together and maximize AI’s impact.

AI integration must be an ongoing process. As technology evolves, organizations must continuously refine their systems and processes. This includes monitoring for potential biases and managing the ethical risks associated with AI, such as “hallucinations” or errors in automated decision-making. CEOs must be aware of these challenges and ensure that AI implementation is conducted responsibly.

Finally, business leaders must adopt an ethical approach to AI. CEOs must ensure that AI adoption is not only beneficial from an operational perspective but also aligned with ethical and diversity principles. This technology should be leveraged to drive positive change both within the company and in society.

AI is a transformational force that requires strategic leadership—not only focused on its technological adoption but also on how it is seamlessly integrated into the organization’s culture and operations. CEOs must take the lead in AI implementation, fostering curiosity, creativity, and collaboration within their teams while cultivating a culture that embraces change. Adopting a fail-fast approach, where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, is key to innovating quickly and adapting to market needs.

Leaders who successfully guide their organizations through this transition—ensuring an ethical and efficient implementation—will be best positioned to lead in the future, maximizing AI’s full potential.

This article was originally published in El Economista.