As AI Sprints, Leaders Must Stay Present
Reflections from the AI Summit NYC on why adaptability, courage, and resilience determine who thrives.
Yesterday I returned to the AI Summit Series as press, and it felt like coming back to a familiar city only to find the skyline slightly altered.
I first covered this event in 2022, when “AI” meant clever prompts and fun experiments. Now? We’re in an entirely different era: agentic systems, digital twins, AI chiefs of staff, and models that don’t just answer, they act with precision.
The pace is staggering. But what struck me wasn’t the technology. It was the people.
Here’s the truth I kept returning to, especially as someone who speaks about the human side of transformation:
Technology doesn’t create success. People do.
Their courage. Their adaptability. Their willingness to evolve faster than the environment around them.
Across seven panels, these themes surfaced again and again. Sometimes in bold statements, sometimes in quiet moments that weren’t even intended to land as deeply as they did.
A few stayed with me:
AI & Humanity. The Next Frontier of Leadership: Aaron Rajan shared how creating digital twins didn’t just cut costs, it doubled velocity. It’s not because of automation alone, but because leaders trusted the process enough to rethink how they operate.
How Leaders Can 10x Their Impact with an AI Chief of Staff. Aydin Mirzaee said something that made the whole room pause:
“The best person to write an AI prompt is AI itself.”
It’s a reminder that the real skill isn’t knowing everything; it’s knowing how to collaborate with intelligence that evolves daily.
Human-Led Innovation in the Age of AI. Cameron Kit urged leaders to synthesize client data with AI instead of drowning in it. We’re entering a world where clarity, not information, will become the new currency.
I walked out with one big insight: AI is sprinting forward, but the leaders who will rise are the ones who can slow down internally, long enough to stay human, present, vulnerable, and adaptable. Because resilience isn’t built by the tools we use.
It’s built by the stories we’re willing to rewrite about ourselves.
Savio P. Clemente is a journalist, Keynote and TEDx speaker, and creator of Adaptive Resilience Leadership for high performers. A two-time cancer survivor and board-certified wellness coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), he rebuilt his life after a life-saving stem cell transplant — what doctors call a medical rebirth. Savio has interviewed 2,000+ leaders across global stages on resilience, mindset, and human performance. Through his best-selling book and high-impact keynotes, he helps leaders turn adversity into strategic advantage. 🔗 saviopclemente.com ↗