SCALING AI: BUILDING AI-POWERED ORGANIZATIONS
"We're buying AI tools for everyone!” you cheer as you stuff cash into cannons and fire them at the tech giants. “Take our money! We shall now be future-ready! Transformation complete!!"
If only it were that simple.
But I’ve got some sour news, friends. The American economy is built atop the notion that buying tools changes behavior.
It’s why Thighmasters™ are gathering dust in our basements.
Too many organizations are investing in AI tools like ChatGPT for Enterprise and Microsoft Copilot, expecting an instant revolution.
But here's the reality: having the tools doesn't mean you're using them effectively.
It's a bit like giving everyone a treadmill and expecting heart disease to vanish. (Spoiler alert: it doesn't.)
This isn’t about buying a tool and expecting change.
This is about changing behavior. But how do you do that at scale? Anyone who has led change management knows how hard this is. Your organization is made up of individuals, and getting them all to buy into a new culture, or set of norms, or behavioral shifts - that’s hard.
Heck, it’s hard to do with just your own team. It’s hard to do with just your own family. (Teenagers, amiright, parents?)
So how do we move beyond simply having AI tools to becoming an AI-powered organization?
Stop thinking of this as a digital transformation, where you set everyone up with the latest CRM and tell everyone to use it.
This requires something simple on the surface, but complex when it comes to implementation.
Generative AI is a different animal. It behaves more like a human than a software, and that requires a new kind of roadmap.
Let's explore the path to scaling AI across your company.
Discover my course, Generative AI for Professionals at www.conorgrennan.com/courses
THE AI SCALING ROADMAP: 4 MILESTONES TO SUCCESS
1. START AT THE SUMMIT
Imagine this scenario: You train your middle managers on AI tools. They become productivity wizards overnight. Sounds great, right?
Not so fast.
This approach creates a misalignment.
How do you evaluate performance now, when some are using generative AI and some aren’t?
How does it impact the broader organization, when you have no guarantee that those folks aren’t just going to turn their 8 hour day into a 6 hour day and go home early, never impacting revenue?
That's why our journey begins at the top.
Senior leadership needs to grasp AI's potential and set new benchmarks for what an AI-enhanced workday looks like. This top-down understanding ensures a coordinated effort that can truly impact the organization's bottom line.
2. INSPIRE AND EDUCATE
Scaling AI isn't just about learning a new tool – it's about changing behaviors. And let's face it, humans aren't exactly known for embracing change with open arms.
You need a structured framework that both inspires and educates. Think beyond "here's how to use ChatGPT" and more "here's how AI will transform your role (and here's a structured framework to using it)."
Don’t just tell people “Practice more! Try it out! Find use cases!” That doesn’t work. You have to give them a formula, a format, a framework, a system. (By the way, this is what I cover in my AI Mindset Framework course, which is now available for teams and enterprises, if you're interested.)
This isn't just training; it's a mindset shift. And it needs to be engaging enough to overcome our natural resistance to change. You can’t just give people a treadmill and hope for the best.
3. CULTIVATE THE AI MINDSET
The goal here is to make AI integration second nature. We're not aiming for occasional AI use. We're talking about fundamentally rethinking how work gets done.
This means fostering an environment where the first instinct is to consider how AI can enhance every task. It's about turning "Maybe I should ask AI about this" into "How can AI help me tackle this more effectively?"
Creating this mindset requires ongoing support, encouragement, and showcasing of AI wins across the organization.
4. FUTURE-PROOF YOUR TALENT POOL
As you scale AI, you need to think about the future of your organization. And that future belongs to the critical thinkers.
Why? Because they're the ones who will master generative AI fastest and use it to amplify their work. They'll ask the right questions, provide the right context, and know how to validate and build on AI outputs.
Start prioritizing critical thinking skills in your hiring process. It might even edge out some traditional skill requirements. Remember, in an AI-powered world, the ability to think critically and creatively becomes more valuable than ever.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Scaling AI isn't about buying licenses and hoping for the best. It's about strategically reshaping your organization from the top down.
Remember:
Begin with leadership alignment
Focus on behavior change, not just tool adoption
Foster an AI-first mindset
Prioritize critical thinking in your talent strategy
Follow this roadmap, and you won't just scale AI – you'll transform your entire organization into an AI-powered powerhouse.
And who knows? Maybe this approach will finally get you to use that dusty treadmill too. (Better you than me, people.)
Booking Conor for an Event
I’m thrilled that I get to do a ton of keynotes and lead workshops for companies. If you’re looking for a highly practical, framework based approach, feel free to reach out at www.ai-mindset.ai/speaking
