Why Asia’s AI moment depends on leaders, not tools
Accenture's Ryoji Sekido argues the deference that slows change elsewhere can speed up AI adoption—if leaders learn in public and go looking for bad news.
Asia's AI moment hinges on leadership, not merely technology. Geert Hofstede's research indicates that power distance—acceptance of unequal power distribution—is prevalent across Asian societies, surpassing Western norms. This cultural trait creates an opportunity for leaders to shepherd AI adoption. Traditionally, companies adopt AI by encouraging curiosity and rewarding early adopters.
However, this approach isn't sufficient for companies aiming to embed AI into their core operations. The disparity between merely speeding up existing processes and fundamentally reimagining business models can become insurmountable. Instead of fostering genuine innovation, companies risk stagnating at the efficiency stage. Asian organizations value hierarchy and deference to leadership, necessitating a top-down strategy.
Effective leaders act as beacons of curiosity—publicly demonstrating their willingness to learn from those who understand AI better than they do. One successful tactic is reverse mentoring, where senior executives learn from junior staff, reinforcing their commitment to AI development. This approach not only boosts the leader's credibility but also reinforces cultural norms by showing that seeking knowledge is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Moreover, leaders must demonstrate courage by committing to a course of action even when the future remains uncertain. This entails making tough decisions, such as retiring outdated processes or reallocating resources to more promising ventures. Leaders who acknowledge the limits of their knowledge and trust their organizations to navigate the rest foster an environment where transformation can flourish.
Lastly, leaders must actively seek and embrace honest feedback, even when it's uncomfortable. In cultures where hierarchy is deeply entrenched, upwards communication can become distorted. Leaders must create safe spaces for open dialogue, encouraging candid discussions about AI's successes and failures. By combining curiosity, courage, and connection, leaders can leverage Asia's hierarchical structure to accelerate AI adoption, transforming their organizations from efficiency-focused entities to leaders in innovation.
Written by urgent.news from Fortune's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
