How Management Roles Change in the Era of AI Coexistence [Event Report]

株式会社コーナー (CORNER), which operates the HR professional boutique "CORNER," held "CORNER DAY vol.24," a closed-community event for HR leaders, CHROs, and executives, themed "What is required of managers in the AI era (Redefining management in the AI era)."

As AI adoption rapidly advances, the discussion focused on how management roles, organizational structures, and talent development will change. Insights were shared based on a case study presented by Mr. Sen-nosuke Fujisawa, co-founder and CAIO (Chief AI Officer) of SilverX, followed by an exchange of opinions among participants.

## Highlights of the Discussion

### What Leadership is Required in the AI Era?
Participants observed that while tasks like information gathering, analysis, and progress tracking are streamlined by AI, the unique roles that humans must fulfill are becoming clearer.

Key elements highlighted included:
- The ability to frame questions
- Decision-making ability
- The willingness to take responsibility
- The ability to motivate others

Many groups emphasized the importance of "EQ (Emotional Intelligence)." In an era where anyone can access logical answers through AI, the ability to involve people with different values and perspectives, build consensus, and drive the organization becomes a key differentiator.

There was a consensus that in an era where AI supports operations, managers are increasingly required to be "people who frame questions, make decisions, and drive people and organizations forward," rather than "people who just hold the right answers."

### Will AI Change the Premises of Organizational Structure and Careers?
Discussions also touched on whether current organizational hierarchies and role divisions remain effective as individual productivity increases due to AI.

Participants suggested that "organizational structures where managers exist merely as information relay points might be reconsidered" and "the boundaries between professions and areas of expertise may blur, making leadership independent of job titles more important."

Conversely, it was noted that in a rapidly changing era, corporate philosophy and organizational values become even more critical as the axes for decision-making.

### Questioning and Discerning Skills Beyond AI Utilization
It was agreed that the ability to use AI itself will not be a differentiator in the future. As AI becomes commonplace, the ability to paint a vision, set questions, make judgments, integrity, and leadership will become more important than ever.

現場 (Field) feedback was shared regarding new challenges for HR, such as "employees using generative AI to find loopholes in regulations and logically arming themselves against HR," and "essential discussions becoming obscured by a flood of AI-generated documents."

### How to Cultivate Leaders in the AI Era?
Active discussion took place not only on "what kind of managers are needed" but also on "how to nurture those capabilities."

It was pointed out that it is important to design opportunities to experience decision-making and leadership regardless of job titles, rather than focusing solely on traditional promotions. Designing intentional opportunities to demonstrate leadership outside of job titles, such as through leading small projects or cross-organizational initiatives, is set to become an important theme for HR.

## Summary
What emerged from this CORNER DAY is that while business processes and organizational structures change due to AI, the value of unique human qualities—such as the ability to frame questions, make decisions, and drive organizations forward by involving people—is increasing.

Furthermore, the event highlighted the expansion of themes that HR must face, including organizational structure, career development, talent development, and evaluation systems.株式会社コーナー will continue to provide opportunities through CORNER DAY for HR leaders and executives to discuss advanced themes related to organizations and human resources and share practical insights.