In this talk, I will discuss how computational leadership science (CLS) – a multidisciplinary field that integrates advanced computing techniques, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches to enhance decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic leadership in complex and dynamic environments – can be used to address mounting global challenges. From labor and economic losses due to global warming to cybersecurity threats and nuclear risks, urgency underscores the need for intervention. This presentation explores how the POP-DOC Loop – a crisis leadership framework developed at Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative – combines with CLS in harnessing AI's real-time capabilities, bolstering situational awareness and expediting decision-making. I will provide emerging examples of how crisis copilots, training bots, and network science are being used to prepare for, lead through, and learn from crises. I will also touch on how Microsoft addresses crises, explore the value of collective and hybrid intelligence, and hint at what it takes to nurture computational leaders. The key takeaway is that a holistic response to interconnected crises is necessary. By combining a proven crisis leadership framework with the latest in CLS, decision-makers will take organizational resilience and preparedness to the next level.

Brian R. Spisak, PhD, is a Research Associate at Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is also an independent consultant, a faculty member at the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a best-selling author. His new book, Computational Leadership: Connecting Behavioral Science and Technology to Optimize Decision-Making and Increase Profits, is an essential read for leaders striving to navigate an evolving digital landscape.