The 9 Skills Every Tech Leader Needs in the Age of AI with Andrea Iorio, Author of "Between You and AI" - Modern CTO Recap

Podcast: Modern CTO

Published: 2026-01-19

Duration: 53 min

Summary

Andrea Iorio discusses the skills that tech leaders need to thrive in the age of AI, emphasizing the importance of balancing technological proficiency with critical human abilities. His book, 'Between You and AI,' outlines nine essential skills organized into three pillars: cognitive, behavioral, and emotional.

What Happened

In this episode of Modern CTO, Joel Beasley sits down with Andrea Iorio, a former chief digital officer at L'Oreal and author of 'Between You and AI.' Iorio highlights a gap in the literature surrounding AI, noting that while there is ample content on the technology itself, there is a lack of guidance on the skills leaders need to adapt and thrive amid these advancements. He emphasizes that humans must evolve alongside AI, rather than be replaced by it, suggesting that organizations need to cultivate these essential skills to remain competitive.

Iorio organizes his insights around three pillars: cognitive, behavioral, and emotional skills. Each pillar contains three vital skills that leaders should develop. For instance, in the cognitive dimension, he introduces the concept of data sensemaking, which involves critically analyzing data sets that AI has been trained with. He argues that as AI takes over data processing, humans must become adept at understanding the biases inherent in the data used to make decisions. On the emotional side, Iorio stresses the irreplaceable value of skills like empathy and agency, which require accountability for the AI tools utilized. This blend of skills, he argues, is crucial for navigating a rapidly changing world driven by technology.

Key Insights

• The need for leaders to evolve their skills alongside AI advancements.
• The importance of data sensemaking in the cognitive dimension.
• Emotional skills like empathy are irreplaceable by AI.
• Re-perception allows leaders to adapt to rapid changes effectively.

Key Questions Answered

What are the nine skills every tech leader needs?

Andrea Iorio's book outlines nine critical skills for tech leaders, categorized into three pillars: cognitive, behavioral, and emotional. Each pillar contains three specific skills that leaders must develop to succeed in an AI-driven world.

How does AI affect the role of tech leaders?

Iorio emphasizes that as AI technology advances, tech leaders must adapt their skill sets to ensure they are not replaced by automation. He highlights the importance of understanding AI's capabilities while also nurturing uniquely human skills.

What is data sensemaking?

Data sensemaking is the ability to critically analyze and interpret data sets that AI has been trained with. Iorio points out that as AI excels at processing data, humans must focus on understanding the biases present in the data to make informed decisions.

Why is emotional intelligence important for leaders?

Emotional skills such as empathy and trust are essential for leaders because they cannot be replicated by AI. Iorio argues that these skills help to foster better relationships and accountability in the workplace, especially as technology continues to evolve.

What is re-perception and how can it be applied?

Re-perception is the ability to let go of past decisions and embrace new information in a rapidly changing environment. Iorio suggests that leaders need to cultivate this skill to navigate a world where traditional decision-making based on past successes may no longer be effective.