The Next Generation of Leaders Won’t Just Use AI. They’ll Shape It.

The next generation of leaders won’t just use AI. They’ll shape it.

It was a privilege to join the Unplugged & Unlimited conference in Queenstown this week as one of the keynote speakers. Huge thanks to Sue Lindsay for the invitation and for curating such an energising space for executive leaders, directors, and innovators.

My keynote focused on strategic leadership in the age of AI — how we bring our people on the journey with a clear vision, shared purpose, and the right support to build AI fluency at every level. We explored the widening equity gap in who gets to learn, experiment, and lead with AI, and why visibility, confidence, and inclusion are now essential leadership skills.

That’s exactly what we’re building through the AI Leadership Collective, launching next year and bringing together directors and executives to lift fluency, strengthen governance, and build the capabilities modern leadership now demands. It’s a year-long journey of learning, insight, and collaboration designed to turn AI from a risk into a strategic advantage.

I’ll be sharing more soon for those interested in joining the Collective or following its progress — it’s a community designed for curious, forward-thinking leaders who want to shape what comes next.