AI and Leadership in the Age of Automation: A Critical Analysis of Generation Z’s Perspectives on Humanoid Robot Leaders

This paper explores the combination of leadership, innovation, and the new role of humanoid robots as leaders, with a focus on Generation Z’s perceptions. Through a structured survey of a convenience sample of 63 individuals in Poland, the study examines how various leadership styles are perceived in fostering innovation and whether humanoid robots can effectively assume leadership roles. The study investigates participants’ attitudes toward the potential advantages and drawbacks of humanoid robots in leadership. Findings reveal that while Generation Z is conscious of the importance of innovation, they are skeptical about humanoid robots as leaders, largely due to concerns about emotional intelligence, creativity, and ethical issues. The respondents favor democratic and transformational leadership styles for fostering innovation and express a strong preference for human oversight in AI-driven leadership roles. The study underlines the importance of ethical guidelines and accountability in the integration of AI into leadership.