Artificial intelligence (AI) is storming into every corner of business—and corporate training is no exception. In our March 2025 Training Pulse survey, 58% of respondents said AI-personalized learning is the most influential trend shaping the year ahead. But when we zoom into the leadership development space, the story gets more nuanced—and more provocative.
As we unpack the deeper insights from our leadership-specific pulse poll of Learning and Development (L&D) professionals, we’re left with one central question:
Are we building better leaders with AI—or just faster ones?
AI IN LEADERSHIP TRAINING BY THE NUMBERS
Let’s start with the good news: A solid 58% of respondents believe AI does enhance leadership training. From adaptive content to 24/7 virtual coaching, AI opens the door to global scalability and hyper-personalized learning. As one L&D Professionals Club member shared, “AI doesn’t just deliver training—it evolves with the learner.”
But despite this optimism, a quiet tension runs through the data. At right is a snapshot of how L&D professionals across the globe responded to our leadership pulse poll. The poll ran for a week in March 2025 with 800 L&D Professionals Club members from around the world sharing their input, including:
• 59% believe AI can’t fully grasp cultural nuance.
• 65% insist emotional intelligence (EQ) training still needs a human hand.
• And while 70% see AI as a step forward, 30% warn it could reinforce bias.
BEYOND THE HYPE: THE REAL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
Microlearning is on the rise (20% of Training Pulse respondents ranked it second only to AI in our March survey), and hybrid models are cementing their place in post-pandemic learning strategies. But let’s not forget what leadership development ultimately aims to do: shape decision-makers who can thrive in and manage complexity.
That complexity includes understanding people across cultures, leading ethically under pressure, and connecting in meaningful ways—areas where many L&D professionals still see AI falling short.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR L&D PROFESSIONALS
• Don’t default to AI—design with purpose. Use AI for data insights and scaling but keep human elements at the core of leadership design.
• Address cultural complexity head-on. AI may not understand every nuance yet—so blend global tech with local wisdom.
• Build ethical checks into your AI-led programs. Bias in data = bias in output. Leaders need more than algorithms; they need accountability.
GET INVOLVED: ATTEND A TMN WEBINAR
If these topics spark questions (and they should), don’t miss these upcoming Training Magazine Network (TMN) AI and leadership Webinars:
• May 13: Leadership: Key Tips for Empowering Employees to Step Up and Lead, Molly McGrath, founder, Hiring & Empowering Solutions
• June 4: Human at the Helm: Leading Learning Organizations in the Age of AI, Karin Hurt, CEO, Let’s Grow Leaders; Dr. Avi Ratnanesan, leadership and AI expert; Sara Canaday, leadership strategist and author; and Jon Peters, chief innovation officer, AthenaOnline
• June 4: Best Practices to Maximize AI’s Evolving Role in Leadership Development, Michael Leimbach, VP, Global Research & Development, Wilson Learning Worldwide
Visit https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/ to register. The Webinars are free to TMN members (and TMN basic membership is free).
FINAL THOUGHTS
The future is hybrid—not just in learning modes. Leadership in 2025 won’t be driven by AI or humans alone. It will be shaped by those who blend the best of both—data and empathy, scale and sensitivity, speed and soul.
Let’s lead that conversation—together.