As artificial intelligence enters a new phase—one where autonomous agents can reason, adapt and take action—the real question is what kind of leaders organizations will need to guide that transformation.

This was one of the central themes explored during the Full-Time MBA Study Tour in Dublin, where students visited Salesforce to discuss the rise of the Agentic AI era and its implications for organizations, management and leadership.

For Salesforce, Agentic AI represents far more than another technological evolution. After years spent digitizing processes and building systems that support human work, companies are entering a new phase in which AI agents become active collaborators capable of operating across complex business processes.

But technology alone is not enough. As the Salesforce team explained during the session, intelligence only creates value when it is embedded in a trusted platform that provides context, governance and accountability. The objective is not replacing people, but enabling humans and AI agents to work together—allowing professionals to focus on creativity, judgment and strategic decision-making.

That perspective strongly resonated with the MBA students.

Rather than concentrating exclusively on technology, the discussion quickly moved toward organizational transformation, leadership and the human dimension of AI adoption. According to Mirko Spinelli, Regional Vice President at Salesforce, these are precisely the conversations today's business leaders should be having.

"Technology continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, but leadership remains fundamentally human. Curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, communication, and the ability to inspire people through change cannot be automated."

The exchange highlighted an increasingly important reality: as AI becomes more powerful, competitive advantage will depend less on access to technology than on the ability to lead its adoption responsibly and effectively.

For SDA Bocconi, this reflects the philosophy behind the Full-Time MBA. Preparing future leaders today means developing not only analytical and technological capabilities, but also the judgment, emotional intelligence and managerial vision required to navigate uncertainty, orchestrate change and create value through people.

Experiences such as the Salesforce company visit demonstrate how the MBA connects students with organizations shaping the future of business while encouraging critical dialogue around the challenges that future presents.

Because in the age of AI, the most valuable capability may not be building better algorithms, but developing better leaders.