Arman Process Journal (APJ)
Quarterly Journal of Information and Communication Technology ​

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Developing and Enhancing Leadership Skills Iranian Government Organizations

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Hadi Zahabi 1
MOHAMAD MOHTADI 2

1 Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Strategic Planning, Imam Hussein (AS) University, Tehran, Iran

2 Faculty of Management and Strategic Planning, Imam Hussein (AS) University, Tehran. Iran

Abstract
Background and Objectives: Rapid technological developments in recent decades, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, have fundamentally transformed traditional leadership models in government organizations. Leaders in the digital age can no longer rely solely on conventional management skills; they must harness the potential of new technologies for intelligent decision-making, creativity, foresight, and effective accountability. While AI has been increasingly adopted in public administration globally, there remains a significant gap in the academic literature regarding how AI specifically contributes to developing leadership skills among government managers, especially in national contexts with unique institutional and cultural characteristics such as Iran. This study aims to explain the role and functions of artificial intelligence in developing leadership skills among managers in Iranian government organizations.
Methods: The present study used a mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) to explain the role and functions of artificial intelligence in developing the leadership skills of managers in Iranian government agencies. In the qualitative stage, by conducting semi-structured interviews with 12 experts in the fields of public administration and information technology, the effective components and indicators were identified.
Findings: Through content analysis, four main dimensions were extracted including digital leadership self-awareness, smart decision-making, smart communication, and AI-based learning and development. In the quantitative phase, to empirically validate the AI-based leadership model developed in the qualitative section, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 80 government managers and the data was analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Conclusion: Analyses show that targeted use of intelligent technologies, especially in the areas of data analysis, organizational behavior prediction, and personalized training, can significantly increase the level of decision-making, managerial agility, and communication capabilities of managers. Also, the lack of data infrastructure and traditional organizational culture are among the most important challenges to the effective use of artificial intelligence in the public sector.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence
Leadership skills
Government managers
Leadership development
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Arman Process Journal (APJ)
Volume 7, Issue 2
Summer 2026
Pages 1-15

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