How AI can supercharge your team

Which AI persona will supercharge your team first? Hult International Business School’s Patrick Lynch presents four distinct workplace functions at your disposal, before outlining MBA career opportunities for those looking to take full advantage of roles that bridge AI and strategy

Picture stepping into your office to find that your newest team member has already organised your day, flagged a key market trend and even suggested a strategy tweak before you’ve had your first coffee. But it’s not a person, it’s artificial intelligence (AI). And this is no far-fetched fantasy, it’s a possibility that already exists.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of jobs report 2025 estimates that 92 million jobs will be displaced by AI, yet 170 million new roles will emerge by 2030. For current and future leaders, this is your call to action to shift AI from a mere tool to a trusted collaborator, elevating human potential and innovation. The only question is: “Are you ready?”

Human + AI: A powerful partnership

I’ve seen firsthand how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human capabilities. While some worry about job loss, AI can enhance human strengths while expanding job roles. The ‘Computers as Social Actors’ theory suggests that people instinctively engage with technology as they would with colleagues. You can see evidence of this from observing how many people say “thank you” to Siri. The more you can frame AI as a teammate, the easier it is to see its advantages.

I like to think of AI across four different personas (adapted from research published in the Journal of Service Research) that illustrate how the technology can complement human teams. As in any team, you might see different personalities working together, from the analytical problem-solver and detail-oriented executor to the intuitive strategist and empathetic communicator. AI brings similar diversity through four distinct personas, each amplifying different aspects of human capability.

The four personas of AI in the workplace

The Digital Doer: A persona that thrives on mechanical intelligence, handling repetitive tasks with unwavering precision. Teams working with this AI personality find themselves freed from routine work, allowing them to focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving. Consider Sarah, a marketing manager who used a Digital Doer to automate campaign analytics. Her team now spends more time crafting innovative strategies and less time wrestling with spreadsheets.

The Number Ninja: This persona embodies analytical intelligence, processing vast amounts of data at lightning speed. This AI personality serves as your team's rapid-response analyst, uncovering patterns and insights that might take humans weeks to discover. James, a supply chain director, paired his team with a Number Ninja to predict inventory needs across dozens of locations. The result? Reduced stockouts and improved confidence in team decision-making.

The Silicon Psychic: This AI personality taps into intuitive intelligence, helping teams anticipate trends and prepare for future scenarios, with particular expertise in identifying emerging patterns and potential opportunities. Maya, a product development lead, used a Silicon Psychic to analyse customer feedback trends, enabling her team to spot upcoming market shifts months before competitors.

The Cyber Soulmate: A persona that brings empathetic intelligence to digital interactions. While AI can't replace genuine human empathy, this personality helps teams scale personalised engagement effectively. Alex, a customer service manager, integrated a Cyber Soulmate to help representatives handle routine enquiries, allowing them to dedicate more time to complex customer needs requiring human judgment.

By knowing these roles, you can better integrate AI into your team to support and extend their contributions. Moreover, AI isn’t static, it's quickly evolving into ‘Agentic AI’, with companies deploying AI agents to handle complex workflows. Swedish payments company Klarna, for example, uses an AI assistant to manage service requests, refunds and returns, effectively handling the workload of 700 employees with greater efficiency and precision. Similarly, Microsoft is rolling out AI agents to qualify leads, reconcile invoices, approve expenses and schedule field service agents. These examples show that AI is shifting from being a passive tool to an active, decision-making teammate.

AI-driven roles and MBA careers

While demand remains high for analytical and tech-savvy professionals, new job categories are emerging that blend AI fluency with business acumen. These 'connector roles' bridge AI technology with business strategy, ensuring benefits for both customers and operations.

Analytics translators – professionals who turn AI-driven data into actionable business insights
AI architects – strategic thinkers who design and implement AI solutions aligned with business goals
Digital transformation strategists – experts who navigate AI integration and manage organisational change
Data storytellers – communicators who transform complex AI-driven insights into compelling narratives
Ethical AI coordinators – guardians ensuring AI-driven decisions align with ethical standards and company values

Have an MBA? Good news! You’re already equipped with many of the skills for the roles listed above – strategic thinking, leadership and business communication. Plus, as AI takes on more routine tasks, the real differentiators are the human skills that technology cannot replicate. What were once called 'soft skills' or 'intangibles', such as creative thinking, adaptability and emotional intelligence, are now among the most tangible and essential skills for success.

Sure, AI can analyse data, but it takes a person to translate insights into bold, innovative action. It can automate processes, but resilience and agility allow leaders to navigate uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities. And while AI can simulate emotional responses, true interpersonal intelligence, the ability to build relationships, earn trust and inspire teams remains uniquely human

MBA graduates have a distinct advantage here. The case study method, team projects and scenario-based learning cultivate precisely these skills and are commonly embedded in MBA programmes. The qualification also trains professionals to think critically, adapt quickly and work effectively with diverse teams, all essential traits for thriving in an AI-powered business landscape. The key now is to develop AI fluency and digital literacy to stay ahead.

How you can champion AI adoption

Bringing AI into your team will shift the way people work and think. When I first helped a marketing team integrate AI, they feared it would automate them out of a job. Instead, AI cut hours of manual analysis, allowing them to focus on high-impact strategy. By the end, they were championing AI, not resisting it.

You can start by introducing AI in small, practical ways. Try automating a routine report or using AI-powered sentiment analysis to refine customer engagement. Give yourself and your team a chance to experience AI as an ally, not an adversary.

Culture also plays a huge role. I’ve seen teams thrive when leaders actively encourage AI-driven innovations. Reward curiosity. Spotlight success stories. When your team sees AI amplifying their impact, they’ll adopt it more readily.

The future belongs to AI-augmented leaders, professionals who work alongside AI and use its capabilities to amplify their own. Reframing AI as a collaborative tool enables a future where technology and human ingenuity complement each other. Leaders with this mindset will create more productive, innovative and adaptive workplaces that are ready for the future.

Your journey leading the AI revolution in your industry starts now. The only question is which AI persona will supercharge your team first?