Why AI Leadership Fails Without ROI Discipline

As artificial intelligence becomes central to modern business strategy, adoption is now widespread but organisational confidence and maturity vary sharply. According to the 2025 State of AI report from McKinsey, 78% of organisations currently use AI in at least one business function, reflecting how embedded the technology has become in operations worldwide.

Yet adoption alone is no guarantee of value. Deloitte’s 2025 AI ROI research shows that only around one in five organisations qualify as true ‘AI ROI Leaders’, outperforming peers by treating AI as an enterprise-wide transformation, embedding clear ROI discipline and making early strategic bets on generative and agentic AI.

This gap between experimentation and measurable impact is a source of real anxiety among executives, as leaders grapple with governance, skills and the organisational changes needed to realise AI’s potential. In this context, Brett Schklar, a renowned artificial intelligence speaker, brings practical insight on how leaders can move beyond fear, reframe AI as an enabler of strategic thinking and build capability that drives real return.

In this exclusive interview with the London Keynote Speakers Agency, Brett Schklar explores why AI anxiety persists in boardrooms, how artificial intelligence is reshaping leadership expectations, and what it takes to future-proof decision-making in an era of constant technological change.

Question 1: At leadership level, AI anxiety is becoming increasingly visible. What patterns are you seeing among executives, and what practical steps should organisations take to address this at scale?

Brett Schklar: “I have witnessed a significant amount of AI anxiety among CEOs and leadership teams. This ranges from fear driven by how Hollywood has portrayed AI, to concern about being left behind.

“Ultimately, the best way to overcome that anxiety, as with any transformation, is not to try to race ahead of it, but to help the organisation understand it. Building centres of excellence or steering committees allows people across the company to feel more empowered and more capable of leveraging AI in their roles.

“That shared understanding helps reduce fear. Without it, anxiety tends to escalate rather than disappear.”

Question 2: AI is often described as a productivity tool, but its impact appears to run much deeper. How has artificial intelligence reshaped leadership thinking and the way strategic decisions are made in modern organisations?

Brett Schklar: “AI has completely redefined leadership and how business gets done. One of the most significant changes is that, when implemented correctly, AI removes many of the mundane and repetitive tasks that people dislike.

“When AI or AI agents take on those tasks, leaders are freed to become better thinkers, planners, and strategists. What I have seen consistently is that organisations embracing AI are able to think more clearly, grow more effectively, and build plans that can actually be executed.

“This is very different from organisations that build ambitious strategies that remain hopes and dreams because they lack the capacity to deliver them.”

Question 3: With AI evolving at pace, many leaders are struggling to plan beyond the short term. What does genuinely future-proof leadership look like in an environment where technology, tools, and priorities change so quickly?

Brett Schklar: “One of the key elements of future-proof leadership in the age of AI is agility. Leaders must recognise that what they put in place today may be outdated or no longer relevant within three months.

“Another critical factor is measurement. When evaluating any technology, tool, or system, leaders need to ask whether they are measuring the return on AI. Is it simply an interesting technical experiment, or is it a genuine initiative that supports business growth and delivers tangible returns?

“That distinction makes all the difference.”

Question 4: What do you want audiences to leave with after hearing you speak?

Brett Schklar: “My hope is that audiences leave with two clear takeaways. First, that it is entirely possible to overcome the fear of AI that has been ingrained in us for decades through popular culture and media.

“Second, as employees gain confidence and comfort using generative AI tools, the overall AI intelligence, or AIQ, of the organisation increases. When fear is removed and people are empowered to develop their AI capabilities, organisations put themselves in a strong position to achieve a meaningful return on AI.”

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This exclusive interview with Brett Schklar was conducted by Tabish Ali of the Motivational Speakers Agency.