How Is AI Helping CEOs Build Long-Term Strategic Growth?
AI is moving from novelty to necessity in the C-suite. According to Capgemini research, one in six CXOs are actively using AI in their decision-making, and that figure is expected to double within three years. CEOs lead the pack: their active use is nearly twice that of other non-tech CXOs, and two in five are already experimenting with AI in their decision process.
From static plans to live decisions
Strategy is no longer a once-a-year offsite and a slide deck. As Simon Rost, CMO of GE Healthcare, puts it: "Setting the strategic direction used to be a static exercise. That model doesn't hold anymore.
"Now, real-time AI intelligence enables us to continuously review decisions against real-time KPIs, course correct when needed, and even pivot without losing long-term vision."
How top CEOs are using AI right now
Satya Nadella shared that GPT-5 in Microsoft Copilot has become part of his daily workflow-prepping meetings, drafting updates, and assessing risks and results. He says it "adds a new level of intelligence," which creates space to focus on the decisions that actually move the business.
Marc Benioff uses AI to tighten his planning loop. He consults it on market trends, technology shifts, and customer positioning, then runs competitive analysis on draft strategies to spot strengths and surface practical recommendations.
A practical playbook for better decisions
- Map the decisions that move the P&L (portfolio bets, pricing, capital allocation, key hires). Embed AI assistants at each step.
- Keep accountability with leaders. AI proposes; executives decide. Log rationale, data sources, and outcomes.
- Use a decision matrix: automate transactional calls; require higher human input for strategic choices.
- Instrument your operating system: real-time KPIs, assumption trackers, scenario tests, and thresholds for course-correction.
- Tighten governance: model/tool approval, data privacy, compliance, access controls, and audit trails.
- Set an operating cadence: weekly decision reviews with AI inputs, monthly model refresh, quarterly strategy recalibration.
Avoid sameness as adoption spreads
Capgemini flags a real risk: 42% of C-suite leaders worry about idea stagnation as more companies use similar AI tools. The edge goes to teams that combine AI outputs with unique experience, proprietary data, and sharper questions.
- Feed models with proprietary datasets and customer signals, not generic info.
- Ask for contrarian takes, edge cases, and "what would break this plan?"
- Pair AI output with field feedback and executive judgment to refine options.
- Run competitive "red team" prompts across CFO, COO, and CHRO views before committing.
Governance and skills win
Capgemini recommends reinforcing accountability and revamping AI governance so leaders can use AI with confidence. The bigger move: reimagine leadership roles by upskilling the C-suite, building AI fluency, and defining where AI helps-and where it shouldn't.
- Clarify decision rights, risk thresholds, and escalation paths.
- Set rules for data use, model selection, evaluation, and monitoring.
- Upskill senior leaders so they can question, calibrate, and improve AI recommendations.
Start this quarter
- Pick three decisions with clear metrics (e.g., pricing change, pipeline prioritization, or a cost reduction bet).
- Draft simple workflows: inputs, prompts, tools, owner, and expected outcome.
- Pilot for 60-90 days against a control. Track speed, accuracy, and impact on KPIs.
- Codify what works into standards. Sunset what doesn't. Expand methodically.
If you're building leadership fluency and want structured upskilling by role, explore AI courses for executives by job.
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