Several companies played April Fool’s Day jokes involving their CEOs, some even going as far as announcing they had been replaced by AI.

Consid claimed its CEO, Peter Hellgren, had been succeeded by an AI avatar named PeterGPT in a blog post before later revealing it was a prank. Similarly, Artisan declared their CEO Jaspar had “resigned” and been replaced by AI. Again, it was a joke. 

But even in jest, these stunts reflect a growing curiosity (and unease) about what it would mean if executive leadership became… artificial.  

The idea of AI replacing a CEO might sound like science fiction, but in an era of algorithmic decision-making and automation, could it become reality? And more importantly, could it work?

What is the CEO’s role today?

The role of the CEO has always been more than just making decisions. They are the face of the company, shaping culture, reassuring investors, and setting the strategic vision.

Think about Tesla and Elon Musk, Apple and Tim Cook, or OpenAI and Sam Altman. Their reputations are intertwined with the companies they lead. When they succeed, the company thrives. When they stumble, the impact is felt in stock prices, customer trust, and media narratives.

Consider the current situation at Tesla: Elon Musk’s ongoing legal battles, his high-profile political affiliations, and broader economic factors have all converged to create turbulence for the company. Tesla shares have suffered, the brand’s perception has taken a hit, and competitors are seizing the moment. It’s a vivid reminder of how much a single leader’s actions can affect a company’s trajectory and why the human element remains so critical.

So, what happens when that human element is removed?

The risk of a faceless brand

We’re used to leaders being, well, human. A CEO can inspire, make judgment calls, and take accountability.

They show up in times of crisis, apologise when things go wrong, and reassure stakeholders when uncertainty looms. An AI CEO might be able to optimise efficiency, but can it foster trust, connection, and loyalty?

There’s also the question of accountability. When a human leader makes a mistake, they can be fired, their reputation can take a hit, and they can publicly address the issue. But if an AI CEO makes a bad decision, who takes the blame? Who steps in to reassure employees and customers?

So, could it work? Maybe… but not fully.

An AI CEO could bring many strengths to the role with data-driven decision-making, tireless efficiency, and zero emotional bias.

But business is not just about logic; it’s about relationships. Employees don’t just follow a leader because they make smart choices, they follow because they trust them, because they believe in their vision. Can an AI deliver that?

Perhaps the future isn’t about replacing CEOs with AI but augmenting leadership with AI-powered insights. A hybrid model, where human leaders leverage AI for decision-making but retain the personal connection, could be the smartest way forward.

Because at the end of the day, companies aren’t just built on algorithms and balance sheets. They’re built on people and the ability to navigate complexity with both intelligence and empathy. And that’s something AI, at least for now, just can’t replicate.