Leadership in the Age of AI: Aristotelian Rhetoric and Human-Centered Management

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Published: Sep 18, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/dia.46975
Keywords:
Aristotelian ethic Ethos Pathos Logos Leadership Artificial intelligence Human-centered AI Emotional intelligence digital trustworthiness communicative action organizational communication
Aikaterini Manoli
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of International and European Studies, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki,
Sotiria Triantari
Professor, Department of International and European Studies , Director of the M.A. Program in Interna- tional Human Resource Management Policies, Communication and Leadership , University of Macedonia , Thessaloniki,
Ioannis Zervas
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the conjunction of Aristotelian communicative rhetoric with contemporary applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplace communication, with particular emphasis on leadership. To this end, the study focuses on the relationship between leaders and employees and considers the extent to which, and the ways in which, Aristotle's core rhetorical modes—ethos, pathos, and logos—can serve as a theoretical and ethical foundation for the design and use of AI systems in management. From this perspective, the study advances a theoretical framework of "Aristotelian digital rhetoric" in leadership, in which AI does not replace the leader but strengthens the leader's capacity to communicate with honesty, transparency, and phronesis. The study seeks to identify the key principles for the appropriate and responsible integration of AI into human-centered leadership practices, with particular emphasis on justice and virtue

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