Keeping the Leader in the Loop: Building AI Leadership Literacy, Critical Thinking, and Ethical Reasoning Through Experiential Pedagogy

Abstract

This article presents the artificial intelligence pedagogical partnership model (AIPPM), a framework grounded in Fink's (2003) Taxonomy of Significant Learning and operationalized through nine experiential activities across diverse institutional contexts. Three distinct AI roles—Reflective Tool and Debate Partner, Co‐Creator and Constructive Critic, and Case Generator and Learning Companion—guide pedagogical design that keeps leaders “in the loop” as primary decision‐makers, developing both technical AI facility and critical consciousness. The article concludes with assessment strategies and implementation considerations for building AI leadership literacy while preserving the human judgment, cultural responsiveness, and ethical reasoning essential to effective leadership practice.