Execs Are Deploying Digital Twins to Do Their Work

2026-05-22 · Source: Technology - WSJ.com · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Executives are increasingly deploying AI-powered "digital twins" to manage workloads, as highlighted by the use of "Reid AI" by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. These AI systems analyze an executive's writing, speaking, and thinking patterns from sources like emails and speeches to create a doppelgänger capable of performing various tasks, such as answering subordinate questions or delivering public addresses. Hoffman's digital twin, trained on 22 years of his books, speeches, podcasts, and articles, has given over 75 presentations since its 2024 launch, including multilingual introductions in French, Chinese, and Hindi at a Dubai conference, speaking 74 languages compared to Hoffman's one. Users report significant time savings, with Hoffman noting a "50% time savings on the weeks it's deployed," allowing executives to focus on higher-level work, though workforce acceptance remains a challenge. The article also briefly mentions other innovations like e-hiking exoskeletons, ground drones in warfare, Google's Docs Live for voice-to-text drafting, and AI detectors protecting gray whales.

Key takeaway

For executives aiming to optimize their time and focus on strategic initiatives, consider deploying AI-powered digital twins. These systems can automate routine communications and public engagements, potentially saving you up to 50% of your time on specific tasks. Evaluate the potential for offloading repetitive work, but prepare for the organizational change management required to ensure broad workforce acceptance of AI doppelgängers.

Key insights

AI-powered digital twins can replicate executive communication and knowledge to automate routine tasks, freeing human leaders for strategic work.

Principles

• Digital twins can yield substantial time savings.
• AI doppelgängers offer multilingual communication.
• Workforce acceptance is crucial for adoption.

Method

An AI system analyzes an executive's communication style and knowledge from diverse sources like emails and speeches. It then uses this learned persona to perform tasks, acting as a digital doppelgänger.

In practice

• Delegate subordinate Q&A to AI.
• Use for public speaking and interviews.
• Enable multilingual introductions.

Topics

• Digital Twins
• AI Agents
• Executive Productivity
• Multilingual AI
• Workforce Adoption
• Exoskeletons
• Ground Drones

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, AI Product Manager, Executive, Director of AI/ML, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Technology - WSJ.com.