Breaking AI Barriers pt.7: Rapid Change
We live in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept of the future it’s here, it’s happening, and it’s shaping the way we do business today. However, the speed of AI’s evolution can feel overwhelming, especially for executives facing the daily pressures of leading a company. Change, particularly technological change, brings both opportunities and challenges. The question isn’t whether to adopt AI but how to do it in a way that aligns with your purpose as a leader and benefits your organisation.
Let’s explore how smart leaders are overcoming the barriers to AI adoption, embracing rapid technical change, and setting their companies up for success in this new era.
The Power of AI: It’s Not as Complicated as You Think
One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it’s overly complex, meant only for the tech elite. Many executives hesitate to implement AI because they believe they don’t have the technical knowledge to guide their teams. But let me assure you - AI is simply a tool, and like any tool, its effectiveness depends on how well you know your “why.”
Why are you considering AI? Is it to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, or make better data-driven decisions? Start with that purpose. AI can be broken down into manageable pieces, each aligned with your strategic objectives. IKEA, the global furniture retailer, embraced this mindset when they introduced AI to optimise their supply chain. Based in Sweden, IKEA focused on automating repetitive tasks like stock replenishment and logistics, freeing up time for their teams to innovate in other areas. By keeping their focus clear, they avoided the trap of overcomplicating their AI implementation and instead used it to enhance their core strengths.
Similarly, in Australia, Woolworths Group utilised AI to improve inventory management. The goal was simple - reduce wastage and ensure that popular items were always in stock. By embracing AI for this specific purpose, Woolworths could see measurable results without getting lost in the complexity.
The takeaway here is that AI isn’t about adopting the most cutting-edge technologies for the sake of it. It’s about clarity in purpose. When you know why you need AI, the how becomes much easier to manage.
Navigating Rapid Change: The Role of Leadership in AI Adoption
Leadership plays a crucial role in how smoothly any organisation adapts to rapid technological change. During times of uncertainty, your team looks to you for guidance. How you frame AI and its impact on the company will influence whether your organisation embraces or resists the technology.
Let’s take Mercedes-Benz as an example. The German automotive giant has been leveraging AI to improve customer engagement, particularly through chatbots and personalised marketing. Mercedes-Benz’s leadership made it clear from the beginning that AI wasn’t here to replace jobs but to create better customer experiences. By aligning AI with the company’s long-standing commitment to luxury and quality, leadership ensured the transition was smooth, and staff felt secure in the direction the company was heading.
Netflix offers another lesson in leadership during rapid AI adoption. Based in the United States but serving a global market, Netflix used AI to understand audience preferences and curate content accordingly. But it wasn’t just the technical teams driving this change. Leadership at Netflix emphasised the company’s why: to entertain and connect people through great stories. AI was simply a means to that end. By maintaining a clear focus on their purpose, Netflix’s leadership could steer the company through AI adoption without losing sight of their core mission.
Leadership that stays focused on purpose over process helps ensure that AI adoption enhances, rather than disrupts, the organisation’s culture and objectives.
Breaking Down the Fear: Overcoming Resistance to AI Adoption
Change, especially technological change, often brings fear - fear of the unknown, fear of job loss, or fear that AI will dehumanise the workplace. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to address these fears openly and honestly.
Grab, the ride-hailing giant in Singapore, provides a strong example of overcoming internal resistance to AI. When the company first introduced AI to enhance customer service and optimise routes for drivers, many employees feared job displacement. Leadership tackled this head-on by showing how AI could actually improve their roles, allowing them to focus on more meaningful work while AI handled the mundane tasks. By addressing these fears transparently, Grab’s leadership successfully navigated the human element of AI adoption.
In the United Kingdom, John Lewis faced a similar challenge. Staff were concerned that AI would replace roles within the department store chain. Leadership, however, emphasised that AI would be used to enhance customer interactions, not replace them.
For instance, AI was deployed to personalise online shopping experiences, while in-store staff were empowered to provide even better service. By making it clear that AI was a tool for job enrichment, John Lewis turned potential resistance into enthusiasm.
Addressing fears openly can turn barriers into bridges, making the path to AI clearer and more welcoming.
AI as a Strategic Tool: Shifting From Fear to Opportunity
AI is not just a disruptor; it’s a strategic tool that can unlock growth and new opportunities for your business. The key is to shift your mindset from fear to opportunity.
Take Walmart, for example. The US-based retailer uses AI to enhance both customer experiences and supply chain efficiency. From self-checkouts to AI-powered inventory systems, Walmart has managed to integrate AI across its operations, improving everything from employee productivity to customer satisfaction. What’s more, AI allows Walmart to anticipate customer needs, giving them a competitive edge in an ever-evolving retail market.
In India, Reliance Industries has adopted AI to predict customer demand and reduce waste across its supply chains. By using AI to analyse data in real-time, Reliance can make better decisions, optimise resources, and reduce costs—all while continuing to scale at an incredible rate. What’s interesting here is that AI has enabled Reliance to maintain its competitive advantage in a country where markets are fast-changing and unpredictable.
When you start viewing AI as an enabler of opportunities, the question shifts from “How do we keep up?” to “How can we get ahead?”
Conclusion: The Future of AI is Human
As we conclude, let’s return to the most important point: AI doesn’t replace people - it empowers them. AI, when aligned with purpose and strategic goals, has the power to amplify human potential, not diminish it.
As leaders, it’s our job to ensure that AI is used to amplify what humans do best—think creatively, solve problems, and connect with one another. The best companies understand that AI isn’t about cutting costs or reducing headcount. It’s about elevating the organisation’s ability to fulfil its mission, whether that’s providing healthcare, retail services, or entertainment. In the face of rapid technological change, the most successful leaders are those who see AI not as a challenge but as a foundation for the future. By breaking down the barriers to AI adoption and leading with purpose, you can turn AI from a source of anxiety into a tool for growth.
Remember, AI is here to empower us, not replace us. The question is: are you ready to lead your organisation into that future?
References
o How show business tech can automate IKEA warehouses – IKEA Global
o Woolworths plans AI driven stores as cloud transformation bears fruit (afr.com)
o Gen AI in high gear: Mercedes-Benz leverages the power of ChatGPT | McKinsey
o How Netflix Enhances User Experience with AI Recommendations - growthsetting
o Grab’s chief product officer says gen AI is an ‘accelerator’ for development | Fortune Asia
o UK retailer John Lewis boosts AI capability with Google deal | Reuters
o Case Study: Walmart's AI-Enhanced Supply Chain Operations - AIX | AI Expert Network
