Norway Hosts European High-level Debates on Leadership and AI MANAGE

Artificial Intelligence and its impact on leadership and the future of work were central themes of the CEC European Managers Conference, held alongside the organisation's General Assembly in Oslo. During the conference, CEC European Managers presented AI MANAGE, the European Commission-funded project that places managers at the centre of the discussion on the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence.

Introducing the project, Torkild Justesen, Secretary General of CEC European Managers, explained that AI MANAGE reflects the organisation's conviction that artificial intelligence has become a strategic issue for managers across Europe.

AI is transforming leadership, workplace organisation, skills requirements and industrial relations, making managers key actors in the implementation and governance of these technologies.

Speaking during the conference's session on artificial intelligence, Justesen highlighted the speed at which AI has evolved since the emergence of generative AI tools. Alongside new opportunities for productivity, decision-making and organisational efficiency, managers are increasingly confronted with questions relating to ethics, accountability, transparency, bias, privacy, security and human oversight.

These challenges require practical guidance that supports responsible implementation across workplaces.

He explained that AI MANAGE aims to develop practical guidelines and management tools that enable organisations to introduce artificial intelligence responsibly.

The project will identify principles and best practices that help organisations benefit from AI while maintaining trust, fairness and human responsibility.

Justesen also recalled that AI MANAGE builds on CEC European Managers' previous work on digitalisation and the future of work. Initially submitted to the European Commission in 2024, the project was successfully selected for funding following the joint efforts of the consortium partners.

Beyond its research dimension, AI MANAGE will contribute to European policy discussions by ensuring that managers' experience and expertise are reflected in debates on the future governance of artificial intelligence.

Providing a detailed presentation of the project, Andreas Bücker (FECCIA) outlined the scientific approach underpinning AI MANAGE.

He explained that the project is coordinated by CEC European Managers, with Lederne Denmark and CFE-CGC acting as co-beneficiaries and Danske Erhverv and U2P participating as associated partners.

Bücker stressed that AI MANAGE is built on research rather than assumptions.

The methodology combines literature reviews, expert contributions, and a longitudinal field study involving employers, managers, and employees from different sectors and countries.

This approach will allow the project to analyse how Artificial Intelligence affects managerial decision-making, relationships between managers and employees, organisational transparency, trust, fairness and support mechanisms in the workplace.

The project's objective is to identify practical success factors for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and translate these findings into concrete guidelines and toolkits for managers.

Rather than focusing on individual technologies, AI MANAGE examines the principles that should guide the implementation of AI in organisations.

According to Bücker, this approach ensures that the project's outcomes remain relevant despite the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.

During the General Assembly, Bücker also presented the governance structure, planned deliverables and the role of each partner within the consortium.

"Managers should actively shape the deployment of Artificial Intelligence and algorithmic management rather than simply adapt to technological developments after they occur," Andreas Bücker said.

Questions from delegates focused on how AI MANAGE will remain relevant as technology evolves and how member organisations can contribute to its work.

Justesen explained that the project's research methodology has been designed to evolve continuously through regular feedback from workplaces, while Bücker emphasised that its flexible structure will enable the consortium to respond to emerging technological developments throughout the project's implementation.

Both encouraged member organisations to participate actively through consultations, conferences and project activities, allowing managers from across Europe to contribute directly to the project's outcomes.

AI MANAGE will accompany organisations throughout the ongoing transformation of work by combining scientific research with practical guidance for managers.

Presented in Oslo, the project represents CEC European Managers' contribution to ensuring that the deployment of Artificial Intelligence is supported by responsible leadership, evidence-based recommendations and the experience of managers across Europe.