One more area to focus on for social learning about AI opportunities is meeting with subject-matter experts who can fully explain the data underlying a business operation. Jamie Hutton, CTO of Quantexa, says, “As agentic AI becomes a reality, data literacy becomes a core leadership skill. If you can’t explain where your data comes from, you can’t responsibly deploy AI on top of it. Humans and AI agents will be working side by side much sooner than most realize.”
Social learning by asking “why” questions, meeting security teams that respond to AI security issues, and reviewing data from business operations can help formulate ideas on where AI can deliver sizable benefits. “The fastest path to C-level is by seeking out ‘bet-the-company’ problems,” says Miles Ward, CTO of SADA, an Insight company.
Don’t eliminate formal learning
Many C-level leaders find the job too demanding and time-consuming, and leave formal learning activities as a nice-to-have. Lifelong learners recognize that a 10% commitment to reading, listening, viewing, coursework, and other learning experiences can expand their mindsets and expose them to new concepts. Learning is not just about skill development.
