<![CDATA[This qualitative descriptive study explores how business leaders in Banten Province, Indonesia perceive the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the future of work and organizational competitiveness. Using purposive sampling, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with CEOs, directors, business owners, and senior managers from organizations across diverse sectors. Data were triangulated through semi-structured interviews, organizational document analysis, observation notes, and strategic planning documents. Thematic analysis revealed that business leaders recognize AI as fundamentally reshaping work through workforce transformation, human-AI collaboration, and organizational adaptation. Key findings demonstrate that leaders perceive AI as both an opportunity and a challenge, requiring strategic workforce capability development, ethical governance frameworks, and adaptive leadership practices. Notably, leaders emphasize the importance of developing human-centric skills—creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving—that cannot be replicated by machines. The study identified emerging competencies including digital literacy, AI collaboration skills, and change adaptability as critical for future workforce competitiveness. Organizations are implementing AI adoption strategies that prioritize augmentation over automation, positioning humans and machines in complementary roles. This research contributes novel insights into how emerging-economy business leaders strategically interpret AI's implications for workforce transformation, organizational adaptation, and long-term competitiveness, addressing a significant gap in literature that predominantly focuses on technological adoption rather than leadership perspectives in non-Western contexts. The findings provide actionable insights for HR leaders, organizational decision-makers, and policymakers in preparing future-ready workforces within the Indonesian economic context.]]>
