The future of leadership? AI replacing human CEOs
Some of the world’s top tech CEOs are letting their AI doubles handle big moments, like earnings presentations.
In a move that feels straight out of a science fiction movie, some of the world’s top tech CEOs are letting their AI doubles handle big moments, like earnings presentations.
Leading the charge are Swedish fintech giant Klarna and video conferencing powerhouse Zoom, whose CEOs have recently used AI-generated avatars to deliver quarterly financial results.
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According to The Verge, this signals a fast-growing trend where artificial intelligence is not just a back-end tool but is stepping into the spotlight, reshaping leadership and corporate communication as we know it.
Klarna, widely known for its "buy now, pay later" services that many Kenyans have come across while shopping online, rolled out its Q1 2025 earnings using a digital avatar of CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski.
The avatar did not shy away from its robotic roots, opening with,
“It’s me, or rather, my AI avatar.”
This is not the first time Klarna has used AI for earnings; it also went digital last December, but the company is doubling down on the technology after reporting solid financial wins.
Klarna has previously used AI avatars and continues to expand AI’s role across its operations, crediting the technology for improving efficiency and customer experience.
Not to be left behind, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan also debuted his AI counterpart during Zoom’s Q1 2026 earnings call.
Yuan proudly called himself “one of the first CEOs to use an AI avatar in an earnings call,” underlining Zoom’s drive to weave AI into every facet of its business.
But it is not all robots, human touch remains key.
Yuan joined the live Q&A after the AI presentation, and Klarna reversed an AI hiring freeze to bring back human staff in customer support.
It is a reminder that, at least for now, AI can assist but not fully replace human interaction.
The Verge also pointed out that these AI avatars are not perfect yet; Klarna’s digital CEO blinked less than a real person and had some out-of-sync lip movements. But with how fast AI is evolving, these quirks may soon be history.
For Kenya’s growing tech scene, this trend could be a glimpse into the future of corporate leadership, where AI handles routine tasks and front-facing roles, while human leaders focus on strategy and connection.
Safaricom, Kenya’s telecom giant and a major player in Africa’s digital transformation, is well-positioned to experiment with AI-driven innovations.
Its track record with M-Pesa and investments in AI-powered customer solutions show a willingness to embrace new technology. As AI continues to advance, local companies may also explore similar innovations to stay competitive globally.
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