From AI-Support to AI-First Enterprises

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly visible element of business management, influencing not only operational processes but also strategic planning, financial management, leadership, and organisational governance. This book examines these changes from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining management studies, innovation research, AI ethics, and enterprise decision-making. Rather than presenting artificial intelligence solely as a technological tool, the volume explores its growing role in shaping organisational structures, managerial practices, and new models of leadership.The chapters discuss integrated AI systems, intelligent process automation, predictive analytics, and AI-supported decision-making across strategic, operational, and financial dimensions. Particular attention is devoted to the appearance of humanoid and virtual leaders, including the cases of Mika, the humanoid CEO, and Tang Yu, the virtual CEO. These examples are used to analyse how AI is increasingly embedded within executive and managerial functions, raising important questions about accountability, transparency, human oversight, explainability, and the future role of managers in organisations.The volume additionally includes an empirical market analysis conducted among 192 enterprises representing sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, finance, trade, technology, and services. The findings illustrate how organisations implement AI technologies, what barriers they encounter, and how intelligent systems influence organisational efficiency, strategic adaptability, customer relations, and innovation processes.At the same time, the book addresses broader organisational and societal implications connected with AI adoption, including workforce transformation, algorithmic bias, governance challenges, and changing forms of human–machine collaboration. Combining theoretical discussion with case studies and practical examples, the volume offers a critical and accessible examination of how artificial intelligence is influencing entrepreneurship, enterprise management, and leadership in the digital economy.