This company just appointed a robot as its new interim CEO
While this is probably not the best idea we are already seeing technologies such as AI automate CEO's and boards, and this one comes with a body attached.
Key takeaways
- Even the concept of working alongside AI algorithms seems far less far-fetched than it did just a year ago.
- Simonetti also took to the streets, asking New York City residents what they thought of the robotic CEO.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2023) 'This company just appointed a robot as its new interim CEO', 311 Institute, 26 November. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/this-company-just-appointed-a-robot-as-its-new-interim-ceo/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
A little while ago, hot on the heels of Jack Ma saying that one day Artificial Intelligence (AI) will one day replace CEO’s, I talked about a company that appointed AI as its CEO, and now it turns out that we’ve got a robot in the hot seat.
Over the past year, we've all become intimately familiar with sophisticated but deeply flawed AI chatbots that can draft up a work E-Mail or high school essay with a simple prompt. Even the concept of working alongside AI algorithms seems far less far-fetched than it did just a year ago. But what if you had to report to an AI boss instead? And what if that AI came in the form of a creepy, uncanny-looking humanoid robot CEO?
Meet your new CEO!
Earlier this year, Polish drinks company Dictador announced that it had anointed a robot called Mika as its "Experimental CEO."
The robot was created by Hanson Robotics, the company also behind the famed humanoid Sophia, and was hailed as the "first AI human-like robot CEO" of a global company.
"I don't really have weekends, I'm always on 24/7, ready to make executive decisions and stir up some AI magic," the robot told Reuters in a "video interview" at the time. But while the rum company sees its robot as the key to its future successes, others aren't as convinced the tech is ready for prime time just yet.
Fox Business reporter Lauren Simonetti recently interviewed Mika over a video call and found that there was a "significant delay" in the time it takes for the robot to actually respond.
Simonetti also took to the streets, asking New York City residents what they thought of the robotic CEO. While one person said they would treat it with compassion, another person argued that "robots don't need respect" because they're "just machines."
If machine learning systems do keep getting stronger, though, using them in lieu of human executives might not be the farthest-fetched idea.
In a survey from earlier this year, for instance, The Hustle found that 40 percent of all respondents said it makes sense to replace CEOs with AI, after all, they won't think twice about dirty work like firing human employees, and now it appears that one day those redundancy notices could be a two way street ...
What this means for your organisation
AI is moving up the hierarchy.
Automation is reaching decisions once reserved for executives. A robot chief executive is largely symbolic today. Boards should consider which leadership tasks AI could support.
Publicity is part of the plan.
Appointing a robot draws global attention to a small brand. Novelty can be a marketing tool. Leaders should separate genuine capability from stunts.
Accountability still needs a human.
A robot cannot be held responsible in law the way an executive can. Governance must say who answers for decisions. Keep clear human accountability for any AI-led choices.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which leadership decisions could AI support in our organisation?
- How do we tell real AI capability from publicity?
- Who is accountable when AI shapes our decisions?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
While this is probably not the best idea we are already seeing technologies such as AI automate CEO's and boards, and this one comes with a body attached.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on robotics and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
- D5mpwNgyoms youtu.be
- The first robot ceo in a global company dictador.com
- Mika worlds first ai human like robot ceo foxbusiness.com
- The Hustle found thehustle.co
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 26 November 2023. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2023). This company just appointed a robot as its new interim CEO. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/this-company-just-appointed-a-robot-as-its-new-interim-ceo/
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