How Top CEOs Integrate AI into Daily Workflows

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a standard tool in the daily routines of top executives across the technology, real estate, and pharmaceutical sectors. Leaders at companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia are utilizing AI to summarize emails, research complex topics, and prepare for meetings.

According to data from consulting firm PwC, AI could contribute approximately $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Specific use cases include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella using Copilot to process podcast transcripts and Nvidia's Jensen Huang employing AI as a personalized tutor.

Meanwhile, OpenAI's Sam Altman relies on the technology for parenting advice, and Tim Cook credits AI with saving significant time on email management. The trend extends beyond Big Tech, with executives at Zillow, Coinbase, and Eli Lilly implementing AI to streamline operations and enhance decision-making processes.

The integration of artificial intelligence into executive workflows is most visible among the world's largest technology companies. Microsoft has invested heavily in the sector, introducing its Copilot assistant in 2023 and establishing a $13 billion partnership with OpenAI in 2024.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella describes AI as a necessary part of his life, both inside and outside the office. He utilizes the technology to process information during his commute and organize his workday.

Key applications for Nadella include:

• Uploading podcast transcripts to Copilot to discuss content with a voice assistant
• Summarizing Outlook and Teams messages upon arriving at headquarters in Washington State
• Using at least 10 custom agents from Copilot Studio for meeting preparation and research

At Apple, CEO Tim Cook focuses on efficiency. Cook, who announced the company's generative AI system, Apple Intelligence, in 2024, stated that the technology helps him summarize long emails. Cook noted that saving time in small increments adds up significantly throughout the day, stating, "It's changed my life. It really has."

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang uses AI primarily for education. Huang, whose company designs the hardware powering many AI systems, uses the technology as a daily tutor. He explained his method: "In areas that are fairly new to me, I might say, 'Start by explaining it to me like I'm a 12-year-old,' and then work your way up into a doctorate-level over time." Huang also uses tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT almost daily for research on topics such as computer-aided drug discovery.

Executives are extending AI usage beyond professional tasks into their personal lives. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman became a father in February and turned to AI for support. Altman admitted to using the technology "constantly" during that period.

While acknowledging that people have raised children without AI for generations, Altman said, "I don't know how I would have done that." Currently, he primarily uses ChatGPT to research developmental stages for his child. In a professional capacity, Altman uses AI to process emails and summarize documents, describing his usage as "the boring ways."

Altman's company remains a central player in the industry, having launched its viral chatbot in 2022. Despite competition from other tech firms, OpenAI continues to expand its global reach and was selected to participate in the $500 billion "Stargate" AI infrastructure project announced by President Donald Trump.

The trend of AI adoption is not limited to the technology sector. Executives in real estate, cryptocurrency, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality are integrating the technology into their daily operations.

Real Estate and Crypto

Jeremy Wacksman, CEO of Zillow, uses AI to process meeting data. Instead of reading transcripts at high speed, Wacksman asks ChatGPT to summarize information based on his specific role. Zillow has also implemented AI-powered natural-language search on its platform.

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, is testing the limits of AI in decision-making. Armstrong revealed that his development team recently completed the first "AI to AI crypto transaction," where one AI purchased tokens from another. Coinbase has partnered with Perplexity AI to provide real-time market data to traders. Armstrong has also enforced strict adoption policies, stating he fired employees who failed to integrate AI into their workflow by set deadlines.

Healthcare and Hospitality

David Ricks, CEO of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, utilizes AI during meetings to answer science questions and review medical data. Eli Lilly is currently building a supercomputer with Nvidia to accelerate drug discovery. Ricks noted a preference for using Anthropic's Claude or xAI's Grok over other platforms.

Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, uses AI to improve his public speaking. Fogel uploads videos of his speeches to chatbots to receive feedback on his performance, including suggestions on body language such as distracting hand movements.

The widespread adoption of AI by top executives signals a shift in how business operations are conducted. The technology's ability to rapidly collect, analyze, and communicate information is seen by leaders like Jensen Huang as a way to close the tech gap, noting that AI allows anyone to program it regardless of their coding background.

As companies like LinkedIn continue to integrate AI tools—such as the "second brain" feature used by CEO Ryan Roslanksy to draft high-stakes emails—the reliance on large language models is expected to grow. With the potential economic impact projected at $15.7 trillion by 2030, AI is transitioning from a novelty to a fundamental component of executive strategy and daily life.