AI-Revolution – A Paradigm Shift
Expert Interview with Thomas Heeger
Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming the corporate world. It is redefining competitive factors, reshaping business strategies, and influencing the world of work at an unprecedented pace. Companies must adapt to the new reality of a digitized market to remain successful in the long run.
AI Revolution – Brief Explanation of the Paradigm Shift
Thomas Heeger: AI is creating new rules for competitive advantages, corporate positioning, and strategic management. Management and corporate culture are undergoing a profound transformation. Automation and AI-driven decision-making are becoming increasingly important. As a result, some job roles will become obsolete, others will evolve, and entirely new professions will emerge, with new requirements and career opportunities.
You have extensive experience in both executive search and industry. What is happening right now? How is AI changing the world of work and the executive search industry?
Thomas Heeger: Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the world of work and executive search. Routine tasks are increasingly being automated, while strategic and creative tasks are gaining importance. In executive search, AI enables more precise talent identification, optimizes the matching process, and increases recruitment efficiency. At the same time, the competency profile for specialists and executives is shifting: digital skills and the ability to work with AI-driven tools are becoming key success factors. The biggest challenge—and at the same time, the greatest opportunity—lies in strategically combining technology with human expertise to make excellent hiring decisions.
How is AI changing recruiting and talent acquisition?
Thomas Heeger: AI is fundamentally changing recruiting by automating standardized processes and taking over repetitive tasks such as CV screening or matching. This leads to a paradigm shift: less quantity, more quality. Less recruiting, more consulting. The role of the executive search consultant is becoming more strategic and advisory. He or she must deeply understand the company, its culture, and competitive landscape to evaluate candidates not only based on their skills but also on their cultural fit and long-term potential. AI can support this process, but the final assessment and in-depth evaluation remain an indispensable core competency of experienced consultants.
How can companies identify true top talents?
Thomas Heeger: It is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to identify true top talents. In the age of AI-driven profiling, LinkedIn profiles, CVs, and cover letters are often polished to perfection—yet a flawless presentation says little about actual suitability. This is where experienced executive search consultants are irreplaceable: They combine deep market knowledge with personal judgment to identify not only the best but also the right candidates. All partners at DELTACON have profound industry expertise, leadership experience, and use structured assessment tools to ensure the crucial cultural fit. Sustainable success only emerges when competency and corporate culture align.
I will be happy to advise you!
Will AI create new jobs, or will it primarily eliminate existing ones?
Thomas Heeger: AI will automate many repetitive tasks, initially replacing traditional roles in areas such as administration, data processing, and customer service. However, new, highly specialized jobs will emerge that will future-proof companies: Chief AI Officer, Data Scientists, Engineers for Machine Learning, Robotics Engineers, AI Ethics Specialists.
What will happen to the existing workforce?
Thomas Heeger: The workforce, across all industries, is facing a fundamental transformation. But there’s no need to panic: Early upskilling and reskilling are key. Digital skills, AI-driven tools, combined with strong soft skills, will be essential. However, companies must act NOW and actively support their employees throughout the change process. AI should not be seen as a threat but rather embedded as an enabler within corporate culture.
How does AI influence remote work and global recruiting?
Thomas Heeger: AI is significantly advancing remote work and global recruiting—virtual teams today work geographically independent and are spread across continents. However, this flexibility also increases leadership demands: Multicultural teams require intercultural understanding, empathy, and digital leadership skills. Mass recruiting is no longer enough—it takes professional executive search to leverage networks and identify top experts and leaders for the company.
If AI can handle global recruiting, why do companies still need executive search firms?
Thomas Heeger: AI can efficiently handle global recruiting and match candidates based on technical qualifications. However, for leadership positions, soft skills, cultural fit, and strategic vision are crucial. Executive search firms offer deep industry knowledge and provide differentiated leadership analyses through executive profiling to ensure the best cultural fit. Their expertise remains indispensable in securing top leaders and ensuring long-term business success.
Which advantages does AI offer in Executive Search, and what risks are associated with its use?
Executive Search Advantages
AI-Driven Risks
How is AI changing corporate leadership culture?
Thomas Heeger: AI is transforming leadership culture by prioritizing data-driven decision-making and agile working methods. As a result, decisions are becoming more precise and reliable. The major advantage of AI is its ability to analyze and solve complex issues more efficiently than humans.
What leadership qualities must a future AI-savvy manager possess?
Thomas Heeger: The manager of the future must have digital skills and analytical abilities to understand and effectively support data-driven decision-making. Of course, soft skills, empathy, intercultural sensitivity, and excellent communication skills remain essential. But even beyond that, managers should actively integrate AI into everyday work and meetings with their teams to maximize learning effects and foster the acceptance of digital technologies.
How can professionals and executives future-proof their careers in the AI era?
Thomas Heeger: Professionals and executives should continuously expand their digital and social skills—deep AI understanding, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence are indispensable. Human capabilities such as critical thinking, negotiation skills, and leadership remain crucial despite automation. Additionally, building a strong personal brand, gaining general AI competency, and leveraging AI-driven tools for networking and visibility will be decisive. The future belongs to those who can combine technical knowledge with human expertise.
Executive Search Consultant for pharmaceutical industry, medical technology and diagnostics
Thomas Heeger is a founding partner of DELTACON and Managing Partner of DELTACON at our location in Switzerland in Zurich. His Competence Center covers the Life Science sector with the pharmaceutical industry, medical technology and diagnostics. As an “industry insider” with more than 20 years of management and leadership experience in leading companies, he knows the business in international corporations, their subsidiaries, but also the needs and issues in innovative life science start-ups.