AI is dominating boardroom conversations. At our most recent Senior Leadership Roundtable for COOs, leaders from across industries shared their perspectives on where AI is helping, where it still falls short, and how senior leaders should approach it in their businesses.
Here are some of the standout insights from the discussion.
AI Isn’t Replacing People, It’s Freeing Them
One of the clearest messages from the group: AI should be seen as an enabler, not a replacement. As one COO shared, in clinical settings AI is already freeing staff from repetitive tasks, such as deleting blank medical record pages, giving them more time for patient care.
This reflects a broader truth: AI adds the most value when it takes away the manual, time-consuming tasks that stop people from doing their best work.
Context Is Everything
AI isn’t one-size-fits-all. Its value depends heavily on context and application. What works in sales may not translate to HR. What improves customer service may not suit operations. Leaders agreed: understanding your business problem should come before implementing an AI solution.
The Authenticity Debate
Another strong theme was authenticity. While AI can generate content and simulate interaction, it cannot replicate genuine human connection. Audiences can often sense when something is inauthentic, though there was some concern that over time, people may become less discerning.
This makes authenticity one of the most important differentiators for brands and leaders in an AI-driven world.
The Key Insight
Perhaps the most memorable takeaway came from one of the attendees: “AI is not going to take over the world. People who know how to use it will.”
For senior leaders, the opportunity is clear: those who learn how to integrate AI into their strategy will be the ones to drive the most impact. And this is exactly where Maxwell Bond can help. Through our dedicated AI, Robotics & Data network, spanning both permanent and contract talent, we connect businesses with the experts they need to turn ambition into measurable outcomes. Whether it’s embedding AI into operations, building data-driven strategies, or scaling robotics innovation, we provide the talent to accelerate your AI journey.
Join the Conversation
This was just one of many powerful discussions from our Senior Leadership Roundtable. At Maxwell Bond, we host these sessions regularly, both virtually and in-person, for senior leaders across the UK, EU, and US in Tech, Sales, Operations, and TA/HR.
If you’d like to join the conversation and connect with peers tackling the same challenges, reach out to Andy Holt to learn more about our upcoming roundtables.
Get in touch with Andy today to reserve your place.
