Future-Proofing Skills: How Leaders Are Adapting to AI's Impact

AI is changing the game, and leaders are taking notice. The World Economic Forum predicts that nearly 40% of workers' core skills will be disrupted within five years. This means that the skills needed to succeed in the workplace are evolving rapidly. To tackle this shift, a panel discussion is set to explore what executives now value most in rising leaders. The panel will bring together senior leaders from education, technology, and workforce strategy. They will discuss why competencies such as resilience, systems thinking, and ethical foresight are becoming crucial for high-potential talent. These skills enable leaders to adapt to disruption, navigate complexity, and build trust in AI-powered systems. Business school instructors, administrators, and students will be viewing the livecast of the webinar and participating in panel and small group discussions on the topic of career readiness for Business school graduates.The discussion will also touch on the importance of partnerships between business and higher education. Nearly 9 in 10 business executives and higher education leaders agree that these partnerships are key to addressing rapid skills disruptions. Colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to help scale AI readiness. Torian Richardson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DBR77, emphasizes that career resilience begins with agency. Leaders who thrive will pair technical fluency with human attributes, especially courage. Legacy educational institutions must match that dexterity, rethinking how they prepare students and partner with industries moving at superluminal speed. The event, titled "What the C-Suite Wants Now: Characteristics of High-Potential Talent in the Age of AI, " will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT. Business school instructors, administrators, and career planning professionals are encouraged to attend. Participants will also receive early access to the forthcoming 'AI Skills Development Framework: From Literacy to Mastery, ' a resource developed to help educators and employers identify and cultivate adaptable, future-ready talent.