Rewire or Retire: Why AI is a Leadership Issue, Not a Technology Problem

You cannot just be a leader that takes a can of digital paint and paints over the analogue cracks of your business. It will not survive the disruption that's coming.

In this episode of Arkaro Insights, Marco Ryan—former Chief Digital Officer at BP and co-author of Rewire or Retire: AI for Leaders—makes the case that AI isn't a technology problem. It's a leadership issue.

Marco explains why senior executives are "nearsighted" when it comes to AI, why wisdom and judgment don't always sit at the top of the table, and how to find the AI whisperers already hidden in your organisation. He shares practical advice on using AI as a "strategy buddy" and why asking "what if?" matters more than technical expertise.

The choice facing every leader is clear: rewire your approach or retire gracefully to let others lead.

CHAPTERS
0:00 AI is forcing change on you
0:42 Introduction to Marco Ryan
3:16 The AI maturity gap in senior leadership
6:04 What is DQ (Digital Quotient)?
10:15 The 80/15 disconnect: executives vs employees
12:02 The inverted pyramid: where AI talent really sits
15:16 Rear-view mirror leadership
19:36 How to choose AI tools: separating wheat from chaff
22:00 Using AI as a strategy buddy
25:49 Enabling Claude and ChatGPT safely at work
29:51 Mission Command and the reverse 80/20 rule
31:29 Slow AI: questions over answers
36:00 The board pack moment
40:25 Wisdom, judgment, and dancing with AI
41:26 Where to find Marco

GUEST
Marco Ryan is a Non-Executive Director, author, and former Chief Digital Officer at BP. He has held senior roles at Wärtsilä, Thomas Cook, and Accenture, and is Cyber Leader in Residence at Lancaster University Management School. He is co-author of Rewire or Retire: AI for Leaders.
LINKS
🌐 Marco's website: https://marcoryan.com
📖 Book: Rewire or Retire: AI for Leaders (Amazon)

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Arkaro is a B2B consultancy specialising in change management, innovation, and commercial excellence for the agriculture, food, and chemicals industries. Using our collaborative "do it with you" approach, we work alongside clients to deliver sustainable, value-generating solutions. We don't just coach—we get on the pitch with you.