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# AI Won’t Replace Leaders: How Emotional Intelligence Defines the Future of Leadership


- **Date:** Friday, Jul 11, 2025
- **Time:** 15:00–15:30 (30 min)
- **Room:** Stage 13
- **Event:** World Congress 2025

## Description

As AI becomes more advanced, traditional authoritarian leadership styles and purely data-driven decision-making are becoming obsolete. AI can optimize processes, but it cannot replace the emotional intelligence (EI) that defines great leadership. This talk will explore:

Why AI is already outperforming poor leadership—but will never replace truly effective leaders.

The critical role of EI in leading international teams in a tech-driven world.

Real-world insights from my MBA thesis research*, including case studies and interviews with leaders.

Practical strategies for integrating AI and EI to build more human-centered, future-proof organizations.

* Topic of My MBA Master Thesis Research: "Key success factors in leading of multinational teams". Through the interviews with leaders  (as part of the research) from different industries and employees there will be certain factors outlined what define true leadership.

## Speaker

### [Antonina Makarova](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@antonina-makarova)

Coach ICF & Mental Trainer | Ambassador of Human Potential and Emotional Intelligence


## Related talks at this congress

- [AI in Leadership: How Technology is Reshaping Executive Roles](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/671-ai-in-leadership-how) — Bernd Datler, Jasmin Kaiser, Jeff Hausmann, Sonja Alvarez
- [Leading efficiency, empathy, and the human experience with AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/803-leading-efficiency) — Alexander Birke, Benjamin Perlzweig, Emmanuel Viale, Ming Wu
- [Behind the Code: How Women Are Powering the Future of AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/724-behind-the-code-how) — Alexandra Wudel, Laura Moritz, Madalina Florean
- [Management in times of Agentic AI - The Human Premium](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/787-management-in-times) — Manjuri Sinha