Most Russians doubt that artificial intelligence could replace human leaders, a view echoed by 53 percent of participants in a recent survey. A further 35 percent expressed openness to working with AI as a supervisor, imagining a hybrid management model where machines handle routine decisions while humans guide bigger strategic moves.
Meanwhile, 24 percent underscored the necessity of their superiors, and 9 percent argued that AI could take on many managerial tasks with ease, handling repetitive duties with consistency and speed.
When asked about the ideal leader, most respondents highlighted positive traits. Humanity topped the list at 69 percent, followed by professionalism at 64 percent, and optimism at 50 percent. On the flip side, stinginess and alarmism were cited by a quarter of participants as negative marks. Additional concerns included a reluctance to understand subordinates’ work (18 percent), toxic behavior (16 percent), and resistance to new approaches (14 percent).
Interestingly, about half of all respondents indicated tolerance for a leader who possessed some negative qualities. Roughly one third reported job satisfaction, with 29 percent loving their work. Another 18 percent admitted they hoped for a change, imagining their boss would eventually be replaced. Only a small portion, 6 percent, feared losing their own position.
The survey drew input from 2,000 working Russians and was conducted through the Zarplata.ru service in coordination with Hexlet School, adding a notable perspective to the discussion about leadership and AI in the workplace.
In a separate study, researchers highlighted a shift in employer demand: the share of vacant positions requiring AI-related skills rose sharply, by nearly eightfold. Concurrently, advertising for such roles pushed salaries higher—on the order of a 53 percent increase, with typical wages around 74,140 rubles per month—reflecting growing market value for AI competencies.
There are also ongoing discussions about situations where an employer might call an employee back from vacation without consent, illustrating the evolving dynamics of workplace autonomy and managerial control as new technologies and policies take hold.