AI leaders are in high demand, but come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We look at common career paths and profiles, based on our recent analysis of more than 100 AI leaders worldwide. AI has steadily evolved from a near-mythical technology to a pressing reality for organizations in every industry. Hailed as the next Industrial Revolution, AI is projected to increase labor productivity by up to 40 percent, and profoundly change the nature of work.1 Current estimates show AI creating 2.3 million jobs, eliminating 1.8 million jobs and producing insights that will assist one in five workers.2 As AI technology matures, two major talent challenges confront organizations aiming to tap its rich potential.