Disruption or Dystopia? Assessing Automated Leadership for Traditional Work Contexts

In the wake of digitalization and automation, organizations are increasingly exploring automated leadership to enhance efficiency and standardization. However, while automated leadership systems promise operational improvements, they raise ethical, social, and technological concerns requiring careful consideration. This study presents a technology assessment based on 24 qualitative interviews with leaders to evaluate the potential consequences of automated leadership systems for traditional work contexts. The findings indicate significant economic benefits for organizations, such as efficiency gains or cost reduction. On the other hand, they indicate high risks for employees, such as psychological stress. Specifically, economic advantages were emphasized disproportionately more compared to other dimensions, such as social and technological risks. By providing insights into both benefits and risks, this research underscores the need for a balanced and human- centered approach to developing and implementing automated leadership systems.