Generation AI: How Tony Evans is Redefining Leadership for the AI Era
Tony Evans' Generation AI reshapes leadership in the AI era, focusing on people-driven success and ethical change.
By
Oct 31, 2025
OCTOBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) Imagine being at the helm of a company that’s undergoing a seismic transformation. Technology is rapidly changing the landscape, and the lines between human workers and artificial intelligence are blurring. As a leader, you’re tasked with guiding both your team and technology toward success, but how? In Generation AI, Tony Evans, founder of ONV.ai, offers more than just a guide to navigating artificial intelligence. He presents a revolutionary approach to leadership that integrates people, AI, and change into a cohesive force for growth.
Evans is no stranger to managing growth and technology. Having played a pivotal role in Meta’s explosive expansion from 1,000 to 80,000 employees, Evans has seen firsthand the power of scaling an organization during times of immense technological change. In his new book, Evans goes beyond the basics of AI and delves into the heart of leadership itself, human connection, empathy, and effective guidance in a time when both people and machines must thrive together.
The Real Challenge: Leading in the Age of AI
In a world where AI is reshaping industries, the most pressing question for leaders is not how to adopt AI, but how to lead people through the AI transformation. Generation AI isn’t just for those managing AI tech; it’s a handbook for leaders in any industry who want to harness the potential of AI without losing sight of their team’s humanity.
The core message Evans shares is clear: AI should complement human abilities, not replace them. "People are at the center of this transformation," Evans says. "AI isn’t just a tool for business efficiency. It’s an opportunity for leaders to enhance their team’s potential, to bring out the best in people, and to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, ethical, and human-centered."
A Leader Who Knows Both People and Machines
What makes Generation AI stand out from other leadership books is Evans’ unparalleled ability to blend his background in organizational psychology with his deep understanding of technology. As a team coach and organizational psychologist, he focuses on the emotional intelligence and group dynamics necessary for AI integration. Evans argues that leadership isn’t just about managing tech, it’s about managing people through the technological shift.
This holistic perspective is evident in his work at ONV.ai, where Evans helps businesses bridge the gap between AI and human talent. His mantra is simple but powerful: prioritize people over processes or products. Through this philosophy, Evans helps organizations ensure their AI strategies not only drive business results but foster employee engagement and collaboration.
How to Make AI Work for Your Team
Evans’ book is designed to help leaders implement AI while keeping their employees engaged, motivated, and prepared for change. But how can you do that when generational divides and resistance to new technology often create friction?
Generation AI dives into this challenge, offering a roadmap for overcoming generational barriers. Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each with different attitudes toward AI. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all bring diverse perspectives to the table. Evans teaches leaders how to tap into these generational differences, turning them into an asset instead of an obstacle.
“AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different generations need different approaches,” Evans explains. “It’s crucial for leaders to understand these dynamics to ensure that AI is embraced and utilized effectively across all levels of the organization.”
The book also highlights that effective leadership during this transformation doesn’t rely on the technology alone. Rather, it’s about creating a culture of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose, one where employees understand the role AI plays in their growth and success.
Three Key Sections for Transformative Leadership
Generation AI is structured into three powerful sections, each designed to equip leaders with the tools and mindset necessary for managing the AI transition:
Understanding the Present: Evans starts by helping leaders assess their organization's current AI readiness. He provides a framework for leaders to evaluate AI’s potential within their company and identify opportunities and challenges specific to their organizational culture.
Understanding Your People: This section explores the psychological aspects of leadership in the AI era. Evans teaches leaders how to understand their teams’ attitudes toward AI, how to address fears or resistance to change, and how to foster a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration.
Implementing for the Future: In this section, Evans outlines practical, actionable steps for integrating AI into the company’s strategy, culture, and operations. His focus is on a human-centered approach, ensuring that AI adoption enhances, not replaces, human roles, building a strong foundation for sustainable growth and ethical AI use.
Additionally, Generation AI includes over 50 questions designed to spark meaningful conversations among leadership teams, along with customizable AI prompts to stimulate innovation and action within the organization. The book also features a unique tool, a custom GPT model built specifically on the book’s research, helping leaders move from theory to practice with ease.
Leadership for the Long-Term
What’s most compelling about Generation AI is its focus on the long-term impact of AI integration. Evans doesn’t just offer quick fixes or surface-level solutions; he encourages leaders to think about how AI can transform their organizations sustainably, ethically, and inclusively. This vision for the future is critical as AI continues to evolve rapidly.
“We can’t just view AI as a short-term trend,” Evans warns. “This technology will fundamentally change how we work, and leaders must approach AI integration with a long-term strategy, one that’s rooted in human values, empathy, and a commitment to ethical innovation.”
Why This Book is a Must-Read for Today’s Leaders
Generation AI is not just for tech executives. It’s for anyone who leads a team in today’s rapidly changing world. Whether you're a CEO, team manager, or HR leader, Evans’ book provides invaluable guidance for integrating AI in a way that empowers both people and machines. His unique combination of psychological insight, leadership experience, and tech expertise makes this book essential reading for anyone looking to thrive in the AI-driven future.
By focusing on the intersection of AI and human potential, Evans offers a vision for leadership that is both forward-thinking and grounded in the timeless principles of empathy, collaboration, and respect. Generation AI is not just a book about technology, it’s about leadership in a time of change.
To learn more about Tony Evans and his work, visit his website at www.onv.ai or check out his book Generation AI on Amazon here. For leadership insights, subscribe to his newsletter at And The Rest Is Leadership or connect with him on LinkedIn at Tony Evans.
