Organizations today find themselves facing a technological shift with an impact comparable to the rise of steam power or the advent of the internet. Initially, these historical innovations seemed small - steam power was first used simply to pump water from mines before fundamentally reshaping transportation and manufacturing globally (Rosen, 2010). Likewise, the internet started as a straightforward tool for rapid communication but soon led to entirely new industries and business models (Castells, 2001).
The lesson from these transformative periods is clear: genuine innovation demands more than incremental improvement. It requires the ability and mindset to explore the opportunities that lie ahead without exactly understanding what the outcome will be, and a fundamental reimagining and restructuring of how organizations and the people within them operate.
AI Adoption: Beyond Technology to Processes and People
Organizations often start with AI from a rather narrow approach, viewing it primarily as a technological upgrade. However, truly impactful AI adoption simultaneously pays attention to the organizational processes and the people involved.
In our consultancy field, we talk to organizations that struggle with the next step in adopting AI. Licenses are expensive, and not everyone uses the AI tools provided. People struggle with how to embed AI solutions in their way of working or business outcomes. To overcome this, we need to create the right environment for experimentation. No one will learn how to use AI successfully without the ability to experiment.
Crucially, organizations must normalize experimentation and embrace failure as part of the learning process. Effective leadership sets clear strategic directions but allows flexibility and autonomy within these boundaries, enabling true innovation.
As with historical shifts like steam power and the internet, the ultimate applications of AI may differ significantly from current expectations. Organizations that succeed will embrace uncertainty, demonstrating agility and openness to iterative innovation.
Leadership’s New Direction: Fostering Innovation through AI
Executive leaders must drive this holistic transformation, shifting from a mindset of maintaining control to encouraging experimentation and continuous innovation.
We see now the first examples in scaling GenAI solutions, specifically by organizations that have created this ecosystem where learning and experimenting are normal. For instance, ING Bank, a frontrunner in agility and innovation in its sector, successfully leveraged AI to improve its customer experience and reduce the workload of its call center agents.
The world is waiting to see more of these successful results, so it can copy the approach or set up, but not that many organizations are sharing their first experiments and attempts. Why? because not many are willing to share their failures and become the headline in tomorrow’s news.
But it is these first attempts by organizations that dare to experiment and create the ability to learn that make them more likely to become successful in the near future.
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
We can expect that 39% of our existing working skills will become outdated in the next five years (World Economic Forum). The adoption of AI inevitably reshapes job roles and skill requirements. Forward-thinking leaders must proactively reimagine their workforce, recognizing that AI integration involves much more than automation. Roles increasingly demand a blend of technical proficiency, strategic insight, and creative thinking.
This growing change in working skills endorses leadership’s need to rethink their current setup and organizational ability to learn and adapt to change.
Embark on Your AI Transformation
At Xebia, we specialize in supporting executive teams navigating complex AI transformations, balancing technological innovation with the equally vital elements of culture, processes, and human engagement. Our approach ensures comprehensive integration of AI throughout your organization.
Join our upcoming conference to discover actionable insights, preparing your company not just to survive, but to thrive amid AI-driven uncertainty.
The future belongs to those who act decisively today. Are you ready to lead your organization into this exciting new frontier?
References
- Rosen, W. (2010). The Most Powerful Idea in the World. Random House.
- Castells, M. (2001). The Internet Galaxy. Oxford University Press.
- World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025.
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