How AI is reshaping leadership training for today’s workplace

I founded my company nearly two decades ago. As a bootstrapper, it was initially just me, but soon enough we grew to a dozen people, then a few dozen, then a hundred, and so on.

In the early days, I remember feeling confident in my hard skills, like product development and growth strategy. But soft skills were uncharted territory.

So I did what you do: practiced the tough conversations and speeches in front of the mirror. It helped—preparation is half the battle—but sometimes I imagine how much faster my leadership skills would have developed if I had real-time feedback. That’s one of the features of AI-powered leadership platforms. 

For today’s businesses, leadership training is more important than ever. Cornell Tech lecturer Keith Cowing recently noted that simply completing tasks will hold less value in an AI-driven future, while judgment and leadership will become increasingly critical. He added that those with strong judgment will be significantly more rewarded than those who rely solely on task execution.

It’s no wonder that tech giants and startups alike are tossing their hats into this burgeoning AI industry, from ​LinkedIn Learning’s AI-powered coaching to newer arrivals like CodeSignal and Tenor. 

As CEO of Jotform, I’m leveraging these training tools myself, but I’m even more excited to see how they will help executives and employees at all levels to advance in their careers. Here’s a closer look at the power of AI-powered leadership training. 

A more effective way to develop essential skills

For enterprises across the globe, soft skills are more important than ever. According to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2025, leadership and social influence are among the top three core skills required by employers, highlighting the rising importance of human-centric abilities in the rapidly evolving job market.

While out-of-the-box training solutions often fall short (and can be less than stimulating), AI-powered leadership training offers tailored, hands-on learning experiences. You can work on the skills and address the challenges unique to your position and organization.

CodeSignal’s AI-powered Conversation Simulation solution, for example, leverages generative AI and voice models to create realistic conversational partners. Users engage in dynamic conversations with AI partners and simulate potential situations. They can practice invaluable skills like delivering feedback, active listening, and conflict resolution.

It’s the next best thing to real-world practice. While the AI-powered leadership development platform Tenor offers training in common scenarios, users can also work with the company to develop organization-specific situations and incorporate their company’s distinctive leadership philosophies. 

Traditional leadership training modules often feel more like staged performances than genuine learning experiences.

Imagine standing in front of your peers, tasked with role-playing a difficult conversation. For some, it’s an engaging exercise. For others, it’s an exercise in self-consciousness. (Like that time I had the brilliant idea of enrolling in an improv comedy class—not my most comfortable experience.)

The beauty of AI-powered leadership training is that it removes this pressure. Instead of performing for an audience, you’re practicing with an AI partner—free from judgment, free to focus on developing real skills.

At Jotform, we take an automation-first approach: If a process can be automated, we do it. If a solution scales, even better. AI-powered leadership training embodies both principles. It’s accessible to employees at every level—from top executives and middle managers to ambitious entry-level employees.

And because it’s scalable, as your company grows, more employees can tap into these resources, building a steady pipeline of future leaders.

Best of all, AI-driven programs are often more cost-effective than traditional leadership workshops, making high-quality training available without breaking the bank. 

AI is transforming leadership training by making it more adaptive, personalized, and scalable.

These platforms don’t just offer cookie-cutter lessons. They analyze individual strengths and weaknesses, consider your company’s unique circumstances, and provide tailored simulations and real-time feedback.

Today’s most successful leaders aren’t just keeping up with the latest AI advancements—they’re using it to boost their decision-making, innovation, and learning.

By combining AI-driven tools and traditional training methods, companies can develop stronger, more prepared leaders who are ready to navigate as fast-changing business landscape.