A Critical Review of Digital Leadership in the Age of AI

Abstract

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies has disrupted traditional leadership models, and the question of how leaders can navigate AI-driven organizational change has become increasingly critical. This critical review analyses scholarship on digital leadership between 2014 and 2024 to illuminate the strengths and limitations of extant theories, the gaps in existing frameworks that continue to inform transformational and adaptive leadership models, and the emerging practices that can enhance the effectiveness of leaders in complex technological environments, with a particular focus on how to navigate the challenges of AI integration in a way that maintains organizational effectiveness and ethical standards. Based on these gaps and emerging practices, this study proposes a research agenda for developing multi-dimensional leadership approaches that address rapid technological change while preserving organizational integrity and societal values.