Management as AI superpower: Thriving in a world of agentic AI (www.oneusefulthing.org)

A recent experimental class at the University of Pennsylvania revealed the transformative potential of AI in entrepreneurship. Students, mostly executive MBA candidates with minimal coding experience, utilized AI tools like Claude Code, Google Antigravity, ChatGPT, and Gemini to create startup prototypes in just four days. The results were strikingly advanced, showcasing functional core features and insightful market analyses, significantly accelerating the traditional startup development timeline and reducing costs associated with pivots. This experiment highlights a paradigm shift in management as AI becomes a superpower for business leaders. As AI's capabilities evolve, effectively delegating tasks to these agents becomes crucial. The article outlines a framework to help determine when to assign work to AI based on three factors: Human Baseline Time, Probability of Success, and AI Process Time. Successful delegation now requires not just technical knowledge but also strong management skills, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and effective feedback. As AI transforms roles, the most effective leaders will be those who can articulate their needs well and harness AI's capabilities for innovative solutions.