Page 45 - Banking Finance August 2025

ARTICLE

Neuroadaptive

AI in Leadership

Development

Nirooj Fidin
Research Officer
Senior Manager (IT)
Union Learning Academy,
Union Bank of India, Mumbai

Neuroadaptive AI wasn't just listening. It was watching. It was interpreting micro-signals, subtle
hesitations, unspoken doubts, and stress markers invisible to even the best human coach, and
adjusting the learning journey accordingly. It wasn't just feedback. It was a mirror. And for many
in that room, it was the first honest one they'd looked into in a while.

L et's set the scene. A serene leadership retreat for years. But just minutes in, the screen pulsed. Then came
the AI's polite but firm nudge: "Your stress response is el-
tucked away in the hills, where lanyards came with
scented name tags and every conversation involved
the phrase "let's unpack that". A vice president, let's call evated. Would you like a break or to reframe the scenario?"
him Samar, known for his sharp instincts, spreadsheet-per- He froze. Not from panic, but from awe. The AI had seen
fect memory, and a reputation for getting deals done be- through the practiced calm and flawless rhetoric and spo-
fore lunch., sipped his green tea with the kind of intensity ken directly to his nervous system. Neuroadaptive AI had
that made interns nervous. He expected a weekend of lead- introduced itself, not with fanfare, but with brutal intimacy.
ership theory, trust falls, and perhaps an epiphany or two Turns out, Samar's brain didn't buy what his mouth was
served with locally-sourced granola. selling.

Instead, the retreat organizers, ever eager to push the Neuroadaptive AI wasn't just listening. It was watching. It
envelope, rolled in a cart stacked with neuroadaptive head- was interpreting micro-signals, subtle hesitations, unspoken
sets. Shiny. Sleek. Minimalist in that vaguely dystopian way. doubts, and stress markers invisible to even the best human
"We'll begin with a leadership simulation," someone an- coach, and adjusting the learning journey accordingly. It
nounced. "But with a twist. The AI will adapt in real-time wasn't just feedback. It was a mirror. And for many in that
based on your neural responses." room, it was the first honest one they'd looked into in a
while.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. A headset was placed gently on
his head, the sensors cool against his temples. The screen Reading Your Mind: What Neuroadaptive
lit up. A scenario unfolded-team conflict, budget constraints,
a boardroom full of virtual stakeholders. He launched into AI Actually Does
response mode, calm and assertive, the way he'd practiced How many times have you noticed how your boss's mood

40 | 2025 | AUGUST | BANKING FINANCE