On the Right Headset to Implement AI - Get Smart, Get Serious, Get Going

You May Think

Successful company AI implementations are largely the result of technical, data-centric factors. Or perhaps it’s “have chatGPT, will succeed”.  While AI portends transformative enterprise efficiency and competitive edge, its implementation too often feels like navigating a labyrinth without a map. Consider this: despite AI's potential to revolutionize operations, only 10% of businesses actively leverage it, even as 80% anticipate its game-changing impact within five years. This stark gap between expectation and execution raises a critical question‚ why does AI adoption remain elusive?

In the Real World   

There’s no right way to focus on the wrong things. While technical, data-centric factors are necessary, they are by no means sufficient. In fact, BCG reports that AI success calls for 10% emphasis on algorithms, 20% on data and platforms and 70% on change management. Likewise, my experience shows the challenge lies less in the technology, tools or algorithms but more in the nuanced interplay of resource constraints, AI literacy vs talent scarcity, addressing fears of job displacement and troublesome tribal customs. As companies grapple with skill gaps, limited budgets and fragmented data ecosystems, the challenge isn't just adopting AI but doing so in a way that aligns with their unique operational realities, readiness and their capacity to change….the intelligent alignment of pace, scope, timing and capabilities….. it’s largely about change integration.

If Instead,

Companies took stock of AS-IS, planned TO-BE with information, and addressed the change integration issues …. Start by understanding what AI is and isn’t good at. It’s a contact sport. Engage and learn. Hint: think “people smart hearts – AI smarts.” Somewhere between “this too shall pass” and “uninformed, over exuberant, AI-hyped ideas” there is a set of worthy, intelligent AI experiments to connect in a plan, then deploy and review. 

Stop google searches. Instead, try perplexity. Type a prompt like "list AI critical success factors and case studies for ("my business sector") into perplexity.

So ….

Get smart. Get serious. Get going. And be much more likely to realize – fully - the results intended and described in the AI business cases – and help people in their organization raise their game in daily work.