Complex system management: Intuition and/or analysis with artificial intelligence involvement

Abstract This paper tackles the largely untouched issue of optimal management of complex systems, now rendered much more challenging by current conditions of instability and turbulence. Managers need capabilities of foresight and holism in capturing the essence of wicked problems and the best way forward. Interviews were conducted with complex systems managers regarding their perceptions of the value of analysis and intuition in these circumstances and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to bring extra value to both modes, analysis, and intuition. Findings indicate that both styles were employed, and descriptions of intuition covered both experience‐based intuition and creative intuition. Regarding the encroachment of AI, the advantages of speed and reduced costs seemed to these respondents to make its adoption mandatory. However, the oversight role of people was considered critical by most respondents. The paper presents a framework to assist managers in understanding the relative roles of AI, analysis, and intuition as these relate to the complexity level of the system being managed.