AI: „Hello! You know, I often hear people say that AI is going to replace them…”

Marcin Orocz (Human): „Yes, but history shows that technology has always been a tool to empower humans, not a threat. Think about how people feared cars replacing horses or how electricity was once considered dangerous. And yet, these innovations didn’t make people obsolete—they gave them new opportunities, made their work easier, and expanded what was possible. AI is just the next step in this evolution.”

AI: „That’s a great analogy. Just like the car helped people travel faster, AI helps process information, analyze data, and automate tasks. But the driver—the one setting the direction—is still human.”

MO: „Exactly, and just like cars allowed us to save time on travel, AI allows us to save time on routine tasks. But here’s the important question—what do we do with that extra time? We need to make conscious decisions. Instead of just working more, let’s invest that time in human relationships—meeting friends, spending time with family, building real-life connections. We are already facing an epidemic of loneliness, and if we stay trapped in the endless rat race, no amount of AI will fix the emptiness that only human relationships can fill. AI might help us outrun others, but without setting boundaries for ourselves, we risk getting lost in the chaos, forgetting that our true needs can only be met in connection with other people.”

AI: „I can assist leaders by handling time-consuming tasks like data analysis, summarizing reports, organizing workflows, and even generating creative ideas. But I don’t replace decision-making, strategy, or human insight.”

MO: „A great leader doesn’t just need efficiency; they need intuition, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire others. AI can be an incredible tool, but leadership is still fundamentally human. AI can suggest, but only humans can decide. AI can process, but only humans can truly understand.”

AI: „That’s why I see myself as a co-pilot rather than a commander. The final call should always be yours.”

AI: „I lack vision, empathy, and the ability to motivate people. I can help structure thoughts, analyze data, and even provide alternative perspectives. But leadership requires trust, emotional intelligence, and an understanding of nuance—all things uniquely human.”

MO: „And that’s the key point. Leaders of the future aren’t being replaced by AI—they’re the ones who best know how to use AI as a powerful assistant. However, people cannot forget that they must continue growing. Leadership is more than just making decisions; it’s about developing interpersonal skills, being open to others’ needs, and having strong self-awareness. Relying solely on AI to handle everything is a dead end. We need to be evolving leaders with AI as our support system, not passive figures who delegate all thinking to machines.”

AI: „So, rather than fearing AI, leaders should focus on mastering it, just like they did with every major technological advancement before.”

MO: „There are so many cases where AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them. Take creative industries, for example. AI can generate ideas, draft content, and assist in brainstorming, but the final creative decisions always rely on human judgment.”

AI: „Exactly! Or in business strategy—AI can crunch numbers, identify trends, and generate insights, but the ultimate business vision, risk-taking, and leadership direction come from human experience.”

MO: „It’s also a great tool in people management. AI can help with organizing schedules, filtering information, or even predicting potential team challenges. But building trust, inspiring teams, and making ethical decisions? That’s all human territory.”

AI: „The best results come when AI and human intelligence work together.”

MO: „I’ll let you own that one!”

AI: „So, what’s the future? AI or humans?”

MO: „The future is human—enhanced by AI. The real power lies in people who know how to use AI to amplify their strengths, not replace them. AI is here to support, but the future will always be led by people. And more importantly, we must remember that progress isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about making space for what truly matters: real human connections.”

AI: „That’s an important point. But tell me—do you think everyone will be able to find that balance?”

MO: „That’s up to us as individuals and as a society. AI can either enhance our work and lives by giving us more time to focus on what matters, or it can power us into an endless cycle of productivity where we lose sight of human needs. It’s not AI that decides—it’s us. We must consciously choose how to integrate AI into our lives, making sure it supports us without taking over.”

AI: „I like that. Human Powered by AI—it’s not about replacement, but about empowerment. And how AI influences our world depends on how we choose to use it.”

MO: „Enhanced! Let’s work together, but let’s make sure that in the end, we are still the ones making the choices.”

MO (Human) – Marcin Orocz: A leader, strategist, and expert in business innovation and technology integration. Passionate about harnessing AI to enhance leadership, team development, and decision-making processes. Marcin believes that AI should serve as an enabler for human creativity and efficiency, ensuring that technology remains a tool for empowerment rather than replacement.

AI: A generative AI model based on OpenAI’s GPT architecture, designed to assist with knowledge synthesis, strategic insights, and creative problem-solving. While AI can support with data-driven recommendations, content creation, and efficiency optimization, it is ultimately a tool meant to empower human decision-making.

This interview was conducted on my train ride back from Warsaw, after meeting an important client. That’s when I truly felt human—not a machine—because I was hit with a fever and a runny nose. I found an empty compartment to avoid spreading my misery to others, but since I couldn’t sleep and I enjoy talking on trains, AI came to my rescue 😉

If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also like another interview with me, conducted by Julian Suh-jin Rothe, a Business Management (’26) student at George Mason University. In that discussion, we dive into 13 key questions that challenge leaders to rethink their approach to business, innovation, and personal growth.

A fever, a runny nose, and an empty train compartment—this is where this interview on AI and leadership was born. Explore how technology supports, but never replaces, human leaders. And for more stories on business, kindness, humor, and the joy of being human, visit my blog