Leadership & Business Growth
in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is transforming business — but real growth still depends on leadership.
At the AI Summit Kitzbühel, speakers from IBM, Microsoft, Otto Group, NFON, and others agreed: AI alone doesn’t drive impact. Instead, it takes clear strategy, cultural readiness, and human judgment.
Why AI-Driven Growth Starts with People
IBM’s keynote made one point clear:
AI tools only work if people trust and use them. For instance, when IBM replaced traditional HR support with its AskHR chatbot, even seasoned employees resisted at first. However, with time and improved user experience, adoption grew quickly. As a result, 94% of inquiries are now resolved automatically, operational HR costs dropped by 40%, and the number of HR apps fell by 90%.
The lesson? Transformation starts with mindset, not just models.
The Questions That Matter
Most AI failures come from a lack of clarity.
Leaders don’t need to code — but they do need to ask better questions:
- What problem are we solving?
- What model are we using — and why?
- How will we measure success?
- What are the real (and hidden) costs?
Technology only works when everyone is on the same page.
From Use Case to Growth
Eve Psalti from Microsoft emphasized that successful AI depends on linking tools to real business needs. For example, Allstate cut support costs by 98% by using AI for speech transcription, while Lufthansa deployed AI copilots to improve insider risk management.
Meanwhile, the Otto Group is experimenting with multi-agent AI systems that coordinate tasks across departments instead of just automating isolated actions. At the same time, NFON is scaling customer service with automation, and Microsoft 365 Copilot is already giving employees back valuable hours each week. Consequently, productivity is rising across industries.
Build Trust — or Lose Traction
Another recurring message was clear: without trust, adoption fails. Whether a startup or a global enterprise, every organization must build transparency and safeguard data. IBM’s concept of Human-Friendly Automation is a good example. By designing systems that respect users and involve employees early, companies reduce resistance and increase engagement.
In short, responsibility and trust are not optional extras — they are the foundation of AI-led growth.
Conclusion: Tech Can’t Lead — People Must
AI is a powerful tool, but only in the hands of leaders who use it wisely. The AI Summit showed that sustainable growth does not come from flashy tools alone. Instead, it requires thoughtful leadership, cultural alignment, and responsible execution.
Put simply: AI doesn’t replace leaders. Rather, it empowers them — provided they are willing to lead with clarity, courage, and a deep understanding of both people and technology.
AI in Business: Panel Takeaways
Finally, the panel “AI in Business” brought together leaders from Austrian Post, Microsoft, Otto Group, and Stellenberg Group. They showed how AI is already embedded across business — from predictive parcel delivery and multilingual onboarding at Austrian Post, to Microsoft’s multimillion savings with Copilot, to Otto Group’s hundreds of GenAI use cases across logistics, sourcing, and marketing.
The discussion underlined one key truth: while almost every company is testing AI, only a few have a clear strategy — making leadership and alignment the real differentiators.
Looking Ahead
The next AI Summit Kitzbühel will take place in June 2026. Until then, the momentum continues — with companies already implementing ideas discussed at the summit, and new collaborations forming across sectors.
For those who couldn’t attend — or want to relive it:
Sources:
- IBM | Deborah Hüller & Daniel Unkelhäußer: “The Future of Work: powered by AI, driven by people”
- IBM iX | Fabio Pernegger & Atousa Khajehpour Khoei: “Leading AI with Clarity, Questions & Impact”
- Microsoft | Eve Psalti: “Harnessing the Power of AI to Drive Business Growth”
- Microsoft | Florian Schink & Sarah Volland: “Boosting Efficiency with M365 Copilot”
- NFON | Stefania Popa & Günther Schilling: “Automating Customer Service with AI”