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Jumping on the AI train. So you’re in leadership at your company and you’re bound and determined to get on the AI train. But what exactly is the AI train? Do we even know what AI is? The questions can feel endless: What is AI, really? How do you get started? How do you create meaningful MVPs? Is it just about chatbots or retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)? Should you jump in with both feet, or just dip a toe?
The landscape can feel overwhelming. Who should you partner with? Microsoft? Google? Amazon? Maybe a consulting firm like Deloitte, Slalom, or Bounteous, or a trusted local firm like SPR, HatchWorks AI, TXI or Quantum Rise? Or should you build an in-house department? Should AI be part of IT? If so, who owns it—the CIO? The CTO? The COO? Should there be a new role altogether—a Chief AI Officer?
Start with fundamentals. Not with answers. But with the right questions. Here are some:
- What specific business problems could you solve with AI?
- How could AI align with and support your strategic goals?
- How could you prioritize AI use cases within your organization?
- How do you measure success for your AI initiatives?
- What are the potential risks? How do you mitigate them?
- How do you prepare your people for the cultural changes AI will bring?
- Should you build AI skills in-house or partner with external vendors?
- What lessons can you learn from companies that are on the AI train?
- Who’s responsible for AI? What leadership structure do you need?
- What manageable projects could you start with to demonstrate value?
So, how to get started? Dip that toe in. First, identify leadership in your organization. Someone with AI chops. But doesn’t have to be a guru. Second, get buy-in from leadership (is that you?) Get sign-off. Convince leadership that getting on the AI train is a material requirement to be competitive. Third, get thought leadership, strategic leadership, AI know-how. Either hire it or get an outside consulting partnership.
The AI train has left the station :-) Jump on board. Sure, it’s a little daunting. Sure, people are questioning the ROI. But the train is in motion and being on board is fundamental to competing, and even more importantly, leading!
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