Hanging in there with talking and doing about AI in the context of numerous human beings inside and outside of Deutsche Telekom taught me a thing or two about getting people involved. And it starts to look like the lessons I learned are quite similar to those learned by others – like Ethan Mollick, who I quoted in the attached post below. Here are my very personal and maybe slightly subjective learnings you might also have come across if you are engaged with getting your organisation into an AI mindset like me (raise your virtual hand if you do):
- Be in the (un)comfort zone: AI competency needs to be put front and center in every team. Literally! Be there or be square. Don’t hide in your AI-vory tower of expert knowledge.
- Dunning-Kruger: Expectations of self and tech of the novice AI users are through the roof. Thank you, Snake oil vendors!
- Map it out: Use cases for (generative) AI are mapped through identifying pain points along both the employee- and customer journeys. This enables you to start thinking about where and how AI application makes sense.
- Push thru: If you only talk about, but don’t do about, you’ll cry about (AI).
- Enlightenment by Excitement: Not being boring but still getting the message out is a masterclass in its own right. Show them, don’t tell them.
- Connect and enable: Find value in bringing bright minds and those eager to learn together. It’ll spark humbleness within the pros and will teach surprises in the students.
- Learn and unlearn: Be prepared to completely reevaluate your mission if reality crosses your strategy.
- Start small but design for scale: Pilot with manageable wins, then expand systematically.
- Create learning loops: Connect pioneers with learners and build knowledge-sharing networks.
- Get governance right from the start: Set clear rules and boundaries that enable rather than restrict.
Maybe one more piece of advice – Focus: start with those intrinsically motivated and then let their positive experiences speak for the vision themselves. Do not start trying to „convince“ those who are clearly against anything AI and wouldn’t want to listen to solid arguments anyway. You do not need to „sell“ anything. Keep the Nay-Sayers informed but don’t waste energy and time here that you wish you had left for those pushing forward with you.