Not long ago, technology was the backstage crew. Today, it’s stepping onto the main stage. Shaping decisions, influencing culture, and co-authoring strategy.
This is not hyperbole. Technology has changed. And as it continues to do so, the demands placed on leaders and teams grow sharper.
Now, those that know me, will know that I am not a back-end techie. I live on the front-end. The point at which people, processes and businesses meet technology. Leveraging tech to enhance strategy, performance, collaboration, efficiencies and demonstrative business execution… I think you get the point!
Why This Matters? The Workforce Is Shifting, Rapidly
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 lists technological literacy as one of the top skills needed for the future workforce, with over half of organisations rating it essential. It is no longer sufficient to know how to use technology. We (all) must also understand when and why to use it.
In addition to technology literacy, we have entered a world where every knowledge worker needs to continuously develop their level of digital literacy.
With the traditional definition of literacy focusing on reading and writing. In today’s world, this definition needs to expand to include the likes of digital and technology. Regardless of your industry, job function or level within an organisation.
This is the difference between simply adopting tools and truly collaborating with them.
Bringing Context: Digital & Technological Literacy Defined
- Digital literacy: The ability to access, evaluate, create, and communicate information through digital platforms and tools.
- Technological literacy: The capacity to understand a technology’s functions, limitations, and potential impact on society.
Together, these literacies form the foundation for effective and ethical collaboration with AI. They are not optional extras. They are essential leadership capabilities.
AI as a Colleague spawned from Technology as a Team Member – Contribution by Devaan Parbhoo
This concept is starting to take root. We’re using technology for more and more activities. We’re finding efficiency and in some cases becoming more productive.
But there’s a deep concern rising. The greater the reliance on AI, the greater the reduction of brain functioning and cognitive performance. We’re not thinking. We’re relying on AI to do the thinking and believing that because it is producing an output quickly that seems true, with minimal effort, it must be correct.
The problem is this: ‘the more we push AI to go further, the less effort it uses to produce an output based on task complexity’.
It is what I call, confidently wrong with very little training to acknowledge when it’s not correct.
You may ask, “Devaan, so then how do we go about leveraging AI as a Colleague? After all, you’re advocating for it, aren’t you?”
Yes, I am, but we need to use it as an assistant and not to replace our thinking.
What This Means for Leaders and Teams
- Decision-Making Evolves
Technology now presents scenarios, generates options, and surfaces insights. Leaders must weigh these against context, culture, and values.
The critical question becomes: “Is this the right choice for us, here and now?” That requires digital fluency.
- Culture is Shaped by Technology
The systems we use influence how people collaborate, communicate, and even prioritise. Without recognising this, leaders risk unintended consequences, from diminished psychological safety to skewed feedback loops. To name just a few. - Trust Extends to Systems and Tech
In the past we asked, “Do I trust my colleague?” Now we must also ask, “Do I trust the system / tech?” That means understanding how recommendations are generated, and being able to interrogate them with confidence.
Leadership with Tech: No Longer Optional
Leaders today must go beyond adopting tools. They need to understand how these systems shape behaviours, expectations, and decisions.
This requires:
- Interpreting dashboards with nuance
- Challenging algorithmic recommendations with critical thinking
- Distinguishing between influence and instruction
- Embedding ethical boundaries into how technology is used
The Human Edge
Technology may amplify possibilities, but only humans provide (for now, anyways):
- Empathy and ethical reasoning
- Cultural wisdom
- Resilience in ambiguity
- The ability to inspire trust and belonging
Far from replacing us, technology reframes our role: from coordinators of human effort to facilitators of human-tech partnership.
Closing Thought
Technology has not only moved from backstage to centre stage. The entire performance has changed.
To lead effectively now, you must be both digitally and technologically literate. Because when AI becomes a colleague, your success depends on how well you understand it. Alongside yourself and your team.
Are you ready to share the stage, and shape the role technology should play in your business?
References
- World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025: technological literacy ranked as a core skill (51%).
- Definition of technological literacy: the ability to understand and evaluate technology, beyond use.
