1. AI Projects Need Executive Sponsorship
The fundamentals of change management generally follow the ADKAR model: awareness, desire, knowledge, ability and reinforcement. Executives serve as the engines for awareness and desire, answering “Why are we doing this?” and “What’s in it for me?”
AI requires a cultural shift, not just a software update. When frontline engineers see that their vice president continues doing things the old way, they’re less apt to trust the new way. They need to see leaders using generative AI publicly, through sharing summarized meeting notes or drafting strategy docs in real time. AI project sponsorship isn’t just a pep talk; it requires mandating AI-first thinking and holding line-of-business leaders accountable for driving use within their teams. Without that accountability, adoption is merely a suggestion.
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2. Focus on Operationalizing AI For Success
If executive sponsorship provides the bridge from the boss’s office to the department, operationalization stands as the bridge between having a tool and actually wanting to use it. When AI is treated like a feature update rather than a process change, that’s the point at which most projects lose their momentum.
Showing users the “help me write” button doesn’t show them how to use AI. Showing teams real value, instead of a cool trick, is a business necessity. That’s also where teams shift from technical readiness (keeping the lights on) to operational readiness (getting work done). Success requires mapping AI tools to specific business drivers and objectives.
3. Find Internal AI Champions
To scale, businesses need a force multiplier: internal champions. Every organization has them — the early adopters and power users who played with large language models before they were assigned a license. Find them, and give them early access to new features and direct lines to enablement. Then recognize and reward them, with more than just a pat on the back, for leveraging the tools innovatively.
Last, give users a place to talk — a dedicated Google Chat space, a Teams channel or monthly office hours. Foster a community where these champions can share prompts, celebrate wins and help their peers. Peer coaching is the only way to turn knowledge into actual ability at scale.
