AI Adoption vs Implementation: Do People Matter More Than Platforms
In this episode, I am joined by Dr Alexandra Dobra-Kiel, Innovation and Strategy Director at Serviceplan Group and member of the Advertising Association’s AI Task Force.Together, we explore why AI adoption must go far beyond implementation and why organisational culture, leadership vulnerability and strategic clarity are essential to making AI work for people, not just systems.Alexandra offers a timely and thought-provoking analysis of how businesses can avoid superficial rollouts and instead embed AI in a way that delivers sustainable value.🎯 In this conversation, we cover:Why 77% of employees are anxious about AI taking their jobs and how leaders should respond with honesty and dignityThe difference between automation and augmentation and why we need a talent reboot, not a talent reductionThe importance of psychological safety and a culture that encourages openness, experimentation and risk-takingWhy “boring tasks” are often critical for learning, and removing them may unintentionally damage developmentHow leaders must demonstrate humility and vulnerability to build trust in AIThe traps of ego-driven resistance and incremental thinking and how to escape themWhy governance should be a tool for growth, not just complianceHow to ensure AI adoption reflects both human strengths and AI limitationsWhether you're a senior leader, strategist, policymaker or innovator, this episode offers practical insights for shaping the future of work with AI.Chapters00:00 Understanding AI Adoption vs. Implementation02:58 Factors Influencing AI Adoption in Workplaces05:52 Motivating Employees to Engage with AI09:06 The Future of Jobs in the Age of AI11:40 Balancing Ethics and AI Deployment14:39 Evolving Business Models with AI17:57 Spotting Opportunities in AI20:43 Assessing Organisational Maturity in AI23:33 Innovating While Achieving Operational Efficiencies26:30 Prioritising AI Adoption in the Boardroom