Generative AI is no longer just the province of engineers or entry-level workers fearing automation. Today, it’s a critical tool reshaping how top executives lead companies, make decisions, and even coach themselves. From drafting investor pitches mid-flight to building personalized AI agents for executive feedback, leaders are embedding AI into their daily workflows in ways that signal a profound shift in the future of work.
To understand how deeply this transformation runs, eight C-suite executives across industries—from robotics to cybersecurity to consumer tech share their insights into how AI is becoming more than a tool. It’s becoming a collaborator.
From Search Engine to Strategic Partner
Brad Bogolea, co-founder and CEO of Simbe Robotics, says ChatGPT is now his near-daily collaborator, helping him refine board presentations and investor messaging. “I use it as a thought partner to move faster and think more clearly,” he told Modern CEO. “It helps me distill ideas and pressure-test strategies—sometimes from an Uber or in-flight.” Bogolea also relies on Google’s Gemini for specific tasks like parsing certain file types. His secret? Knowing which model to use when. “The key is acceleration,” he added.
AI as a Decision-Making Accelerator
At Rokt, an e-commerce technology company, Chief Commercial Officer Elizabeth Buchanan taps AI not only for faster decision-making but to track and synthesize client sentiment across platforms. “I automate updates from press releases, LinkedIn posts—even casual mentions. It’s an extraordinary time-saver,” she said. “AI is a lifesaver when you’re trying to keep up with what clients care about in real time.”
Similarly, Dave Dama, founder of Aquasonic and cofounder of Onyx Global Group, uses generative tools to refine messaging and collaborate with his marketing team. “It’s not a replacement for judgment—it helps us get to clarity faster.”
AI Is Reshaping Organizational Structures
Virta Health CEO Sami Inkinen believes AI’s influence goes beyond productivity—it’s altering the DNA of how companies are structured. “I foresee org charts shifting from pyramids to diamonds,” he explained. “Smaller teams, fewer layers, and highly productive, AI-augmented individuals.” Inkinen uses AI for everything from scenario planning to memo drafting and believes AI’s greatest value lies in compressing hours of work into minutes. “It’s a force multiplier for clarity and execution.”
Executive Coaching… by AI?
Perhaps the most innovative use case came from Evan Reiser, CEO of cybersecurity firm Abnormal AI. Reiser has developed a suite of personalized AI agents—including one called “Evan AI Coach”—that delivers weekly performance feedback based on meeting transcripts. “It tells me where I’ve been effective, where I need to improve—like listening more deeply or reinforcing our mission. It’s like having a 24/7 coach trained on me.”
Another agent scans news, social media, and internal CRM data to generate briefing reports before customer meetings, all delivered automatically.
AI Adoption as a Corporate Mandate
At enterprise software company WorkJam, CEO Steven Kramer has made AI adoption a 2025 mandate. Employees have access to multiple tools including Google Agentspace, JetBrains, and Windsurf. “AI gives me back five to ten hours a week,” Kramer said. “That’s time I now use to connect with teams and customers—the places where great ideas happen.” WorkJam has even established a cross-functional AI steering group, responsible for building internal tools and AI “agents” that optimize workflows.
The Era of Executive Multiplier Tools
From AI-enhanced legal research to code editing and talent discovery, these leaders are redefining productivity. Spencer Hewett, CEO of Radar, uses AI to scout talent and streamline communication. Philip Smolin of Daash Intelligence leans on AI for high-value strategic research and competitive analysis. “AI doesn’t just help me do more,” said Kramer. “It helps me think better.”
In conclusion, As generative AI continues to evolve, so too does the way executives manage time, communicate, and shape strategy. Whether it’s summarizing legal documents, coaching a CEO, or crafting investor memos, AI has become deeply integrated into executive life—not as a novelty, but as a necessity.
