How AI is Transforming the Role of Managers in Business

In brief:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming management without replacing it.
• Managers spend more time monitoring metrics than interacting with their teams.
• AI shifts the manager’s role toward interpretation and strategic decision-making.
• Manual and technical jobs are becoming more attractive compared to traditional academic careers.
• AI will create new roles, particularly in governance, data annotation, and cybersecurity.

AI as a Driver of Management Transformation

More than 70% of companies that have implemented AI tools report improved quality of operational decisions. Yet this progress is reshaping managers’ roles: nearly half of mid-level managers admit spending more time tracking indicators than engaging with their teams.

According to Ravi Kallury from Northeastern University, automating planning, evaluation, or performance monitoring does not eliminate the need for managers it transforms their function. Tomorrow’s manager becomes an interpreter of algorithms, capable of translating AI-generated data and insights into actionable human decisions aligned with team and organizational objectives.

The Rise of Manual and Skilled Trades

In the United States, part of Generation Z is shifting away from higher education toward skilled manual trades, which offer job security and attractive salaries. The Economist notes that enrollment in community colleges (offering vocational diplomas equivalent to BTS or BUT) has grown by nearly 20% since 2020, while the number of young apprentices more than doubled between 2014 and 2024.

Social media also boosts the appeal of these professions: young plumbers and electricians post videos of their daily work on Instagram and TikTok, garnering tens of thousands of views and comments. Moreover, some trades outperform university graduates in terms of income: an elevator technician earns an average of $106,580 per year, compared to $98,000 for STEM graduates and only $69,000 for graduates in humanities.

The challenge remains to improve perceptions of manual trades and establish coherent training pathways coordinated between schools, businesses, and governments. Switzerland is cited as a successful example, where nearly two-thirds of young people choose vocational training after compulsory schooling, benefiting from permeable pathways between vocational and academic tracks.

AI and the Creation of New Jobs

Artificial intelligence will not only transform existing jobs but also create entirely new roles. According to the World Economic Forum, AI could generate 170 million jobs by 2030. Key examples include:

• Algorithm Interpreter: specialists who can explain algorithms to teams and clients.
• Data Annotation Specialist: critical for training AI models with accurate and relevant datasets.
• AI Governance and Risk Expert: responsible for evaluating the ethics, compliance, and security of AI systems.

Other sectors, including construction and education, will also benefit from the AI-driven digital transformation, making lifelong learning essential for adapting to rapid changes in the labor market.

Manager 2.0: From “Checker” to Interpreter

The manager of the future will be neither a mere “checker” of metrics nor an all-knowing hero. They must be able to:

• interpret data provided by AI,
• translate results into operational decisions,
• and maintain a human connection with their teams.

The true value of a manager will lie in combining human judgment with AI insights, ensuring decisions remain relevant, ethical, and adapted to human contexts.