The Transition Toward Artificial Intelligence Through the Lens of “The Leopard”

Talking about the adoption and coexistence with artificial intelligence (AI) is, in many ways, to evoke the atmosphere of change depicted in The Leopard, the celebrated novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, also recently adapted by Netflix. In the work, 19th-century Sicily is portrayed, shaken by the unification of Italy —the Risorgimento— a historical event that transformed power structures, social life, and class relations. Analogously, today we witness a similar process with the arrival of AI as a technology capable of reorganizing markets, reshaping professions, and revolutionizing the global economy.

The iconic phrase from the book —“If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change”— masterfully sums up the elite’s strategy for preserving their influence. Following this idea, organizations, entrepreneurs, and professionals who once thrived with traditional methods must reinvent themselves by leveraging AI; those who do not adapt risk being left behind.

Below, I will use the story and characters of The Leopard to understand the various stances humanity might take when facing the technological transition toward artificial intelligence, and to discover lessons applicable to business and personal life.

Don Fabrizio: The Decadent Nobility in the Face of AI

Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina, represents the old nobility who, with a certain melancholy and powerlessness, watches as the world they have always known is irreversibly transformed. In the novel, his privileged position falters with the rise of a new social class, the bourgeoisie, personified by Don Calogero and Angelica.

In today’s context, Don Fabrizio would embody those traditional companies or leaders who, although they recognize the possibilities of AI, are reluctant to make profound changes to their business model. They acknowledge that technology is advancing but cling to the belief that their experience and prestige will grant them permanent stability. However, just like the Prince of Salina, they feel a certain nostalgia for what is disappearing and, while they observe the new scenario, they risk becoming trapped in inertia.

Don Fabrizio’s example serves as a reminder that although tradition and experience are valuable, they alone are not enough to ensure survival. AI not only requires resources and infrastructure but also an open mind to question ingrained habits and routines.

Tancredi: Intelligent Adaptation

Tancredi, Don Fabrizio’s nephew, boldly embraces the new winds of change. His famous line —which gives voice to the central idea of the novel— defines the path to follow: “If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.” He understands that the only way not to disappear is to join the transformation.

In the AI landscape, Tancredi would represent the visionaries who, without completely abandoning their origins, venture into mastering emerging technologies. These are the entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals who cleverly adopt machine learning, robotics, or advanced data analysis, applying these tools to optimize processes and create new business opportunities.

This character reminds us of the importance of not remaining on the sidelines. Embracing AI does not mean giving up our essence; rather, it involves channeling innovation in a way that allows us to remain competitive and relevant. Tancredi teaches us that flexibility and openness to change become decisive advantages.

Angelica and Don Calogero: The Rising Bourgeoisie

Angelica and her father, Don Calogero, represent in The Leopard the ambition and pragmatism of the bourgeoisie, who burst into the aristocratic sphere with financial resources and the determination to impose themselves in the new political reality.

Translated to the AI era, this rise is akin to tech startups, small businesses that integrate algorithms and digital platforms from their inception, or investors who see in AI an unlimited horizon of opportunities. These new players —like today’s Don Calogero— are agile enough to capitalize on the possibilities provided by automation and large-scale data analysis, quickly positioning themselves in seats of power.

Angelica, with her charm and ability to fit into aristocratic circles, shows the force with which the new social class can earn the acceptance or even admiration of traditional elites. Similarly, businesses that successfully adopt AI often gain prestige and attract the interest of strategic allies. Moreover, the speed at which technology can bring about radical change particularly benefits those organizations and individuals willing to take risks.

Concetta: Rigidity in the Face of Innovation

Concetta, Don Fabrizio’s daughter, represents adherence to past norms and customs. Unable to accept certain transformations, she watches as her position in the family and in society slowly weakens, and the affections she might have found fade away.

In the AI environment, Concetta is the company, entrepreneur, or professional who clings to old practices and does not wish to “experiment” with new methods. This might involve someone who refuses to automate parts of their production, set up e-commerce, or use data analytics to study their customers. Such an attitude creates an ever-widening gap between those who do leverage technology, eventually relegating them to a secondary role.

Concetta illustrates the cost of inaction and how nostalgia or fear can lead to obsolescence. While it is understandable that change provokes resistance, history shows that embracing transformation at the right time is vital to avoid losing relevance.

The Social Complexity of Change

The richness of The Leopard also lies in its secondary characters, who reflect the social complexity in the context of the Risorgimento. Similarly, in the transition toward AI, various sectors and groups take different stands, either resisting or favoring the transformation according to their interests and beliefs.

1. Father Pirrone— He is the figure who observes reality from a spiritual and religious perspective. His role highlights the tension between traditional values and new emerging opportunities. In the transition to AI, we might think of those opinion leaders who raise concerns about ethics, social responsibility, and the effects of automation on employment. His presence reminds us of the importance of analyzing the human impact of technology.
2. Francesco Paolo— Concetta’s brother, a character who typically remains in the background. In terms of the AI transition, he might represent those who remain mere spectators. They observe the landscape and recognize the emerging power of technology but do not take decisive action, either for or against it. Eventually, this lack of definition could lead to irrelevance.
3. Carolina and Caterina Corbera— The Prince’s sisters, linked to the perpetuation of certain social formalities and deep-rooted traditions. Their attitudes and concerns reflect a more silent resistance to change, fearing the rupture of the known order. In the AI arena, those who behave similarly yearn for the security of old structures and do not welcome the arrival of disruptive business models. However, their inertia does not stop the progress of transformation.
4. Chevalley— A civil servant who tries to persuade Don Fabrizio to become involved in the new politics of unified Italy. He symbolizes an attempt to “institutionalize” the change and seek allies within the old order. In the AI transition, he can be likened to public policies that promote the use of emerging technologies or training in digital skills. Chevalley is the helping hand extended by proponents of change, sometimes met with reluctance by those unwilling to reshape their reality.

Lessons From “The Leopard” for the AI Era

1. Change Is Inevitable; Resistance Leads to Obsolescence— Just as the old nobility failed to halt the rise of the bourgeoisie, no industry is safe from technological disruption. The invitation is to consider how to act: Do we want to be Don Fabrizio, aware but melancholic and indecisive, or do we prefer to imitate Tancredi with his pragmatism and forward-thinking ambition?
2. “If We Want Things to Stay as They Are, Things Will Have to Change”— This paradox encapsulates the key to business adaptation. To preserve the essence of a business—its identity, its purpose—it is necessary to embrace innovation. AI offers ways to optimize operations, improve service, and explore new business models. Refusing it means ignoring the flow of history.
3. The Importance of Vision and Flexibility— Tancredi and Angelica show that being open to change and having the boldness to take risks can yield great rewards. Likewise, those who incorporate the power of AI with a clear vision will increase their competitiveness and leadership in the market.
4. Reflection on Decadence and the Fragility of Power— The Leopard emphasizes how fleeting influence can be. Those in power, if they do not renew their structures, become weak. The arrival of AI stands out as a force that can redistribute economic and social power. Those who do not adopt it may suffer the same decline as the Sicilian nobility portrayed in the novel.
5. Nostalgia as Both a Brake (and a Driving Force) of Innovation— The novel is imbued with nostalgia for a vanishing world. Similarly, many entrepreneurs and professionals are hesitant to transform processes that have worked for decades. Yet, if there’s something history teaches us, it is that evolution is constant. Anyone who fails to update will fall behind.

Conclusion

The transition toward artificial intelligence, just like the Risorgimento in the Sicily depicted in The Leopard, not only redefines hierarchies but also invites us to reflect on who we are in relation to change. Prince Salina, Tancredi, Concetta, Angelica, and Don Calogero embody different responses: melancholy, pragmatism, rigidity, and ambition, respectively. Today, every sector and every individual has a parallel in these characters.

The underlying question is: What role do we wish to play? If we want our businesses, ventures, or professional paths to “stay as they are” at their core, we must understand that “everything must change.” AI, as a transforming force, requires flexibility, vision, and a restructuring of old paradigms. Only then can we achieve the longevity and relevance that we all desire in our own way.

Ultimately, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s novel leaves us with a profound reflection on the decline of traditions and the fragility of power in the face of the unstoppable march of time. Likewise, artificial intelligence is ingrained in this century’s DNA as a key factor in a new historical stage. Adapting to it is not merely a whim, but an imperative for those who wish to prosper. Just as it happened during the Risorgimento, those who learn to ride the wave of change will be the next protagonists; those who ignore it will see their structures collapse as swiftly as the aristocratic world of The Leopard faded away.