In a recent Thinkers50 LinkedIn live session, Dr Corey Crossan, a Research and Teaching Fellow at The Oxford Character Project, joined experts to explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in management—leadership, strategy, and innovation. The event, titled "Towards a Deeper Dialogue with AI: From Co-Pilot to Co-Thinker," examined how AI can transcend traditional functions to become a collaborative partner in complex decision-making processes.
Dr Crossan explored how character development strengthens responsible leadership, drawing from her background in exercise science. She emphasised that while organisations promote values like integrity, true leadership requires actively cultivating character virtues such as authenticity, transparency, and courage. Just as fitness requires daily training, character must be intentionally developed through consistent practice. She further highlighted the importance of balancing virtues—courage, for instance, can become recklessness without humility.
Discussing AI’s role in character development, she noted, “I think AI has all of these really exciting opportunities and possibilities, but of course, with it comes a lot of challenges, and in particular, it does challenge our character. In doing so, it reveals areas that we can focus on. But the really cool thing is that we can actually use AI to develop our character.”
She introduced practical tools, including an Excel tracker, to help individuals integrate character into daily leadership. AI, she argued, plays a dual role: It challenges ethical decision-making while also offering opportunities to enhance character development.
She emphasised that leadership is not just about holding positions but about fostering a disposition to lead. By thoughtfully integrating AI, organisations can create systems that support responsible leadership, ensuring AI humanises leadership rather than undermines it. This approach democratises leadership, making it accessible to all.
Explore the full discussion here: Thinkers50 Blog.