Global Partner & Head of AI Strategy (EMEA)
AI is no longer just a tech initiative.
It’s becoming the lens through which strategy, operations, and growth are viewed. But while most companies are experimenting with AI, very few are doing it with the right strategic intent. And that often comes down to one thing – leaders aren’t asking the right questions.
The goal isn’t to chase hype or stack up pilots. The goal is to drive impact. And that starts by asking better questions.
“The goal isn’t to chase hype or stack up pilots. The goal is to drive impact. And that starts by asking better questions.”
⸻ Vincent Pirenne
Here are 10 questions we believe every executive team should be tackling right now.
These won’t solve everything, but they will help spark the conversations that move you forward.
AI is moving fast, but your operating model probably isn’t. Many companies still manage AI like IT projects. But the next phase requires something else entirely.
If you’re still using legacy structures to drive next-gen transformation, it’s time to redesign the system.
Scaling AI isn’t about launching more pilots. It’s about identifying the few initiatives with real impact potential and doubling down.
Without clear priorities, AI becomes an expensive distraction. AI has the power to transform, but only when applied with laser focus to what matters most.
Johnson & Johnson recently narrowed down from 900+ AI ideas to a select few that were moving the needle.
“Now we’ve moved from the thousand flowers to a prioritized focus.”
⸻ J&J’s CIO for WSJ, 2025
Many companies use AI to reduce costs. Fewer use it to create something new.
The real strategic opportunity with AI lies in differentiation — rethinking how you deliver value, not just doing things faster or cheaper.
“If your AI roadmap is only about finding efficiency, you’re not playing to win, you’re just trying not to fall behind.”
⸻ Vincent Pirenne
We argue that AI adoption is unfolding in three waves:
AI success doesn’t start with a model — it starts with data. Clean, connected, labeled, and accessible. If your data is siloed, incomplete, or buried in legacy systems, even the best models won’t help.
“Most companies overestimate their AI readiness and underestimate their data problems.”
⸻ Vincent Pirenne
It’s easy to let teams launch experiments in isolation. But without shared learning, central oversight, and a clear plan for scaling, these initiatives rarely deliver value. Create a system to track, review, and sunset pilots that don’t scale.
If your AI expertise lives mostly in vendor contracts, it’s worth asking whether you’re building enough capability internally. External partners can play a key role in accelerating progress, but the long-term impact also depends on internal teams having the skills and context to drive initiatives forward. Offer learning paths, build hybrid roles, and enable people to rotate into AI squads.
AI is no longer just for data teams. It’s a board-level topic. As we pointed out in our latest Fast Company article, companies led by AI-literate teams are more likely to spot value and act on it. Start by building shared language and base knowledge across your leadership bench.
“Companies led by AI-literate teams are more likely to identify where AI can create value — and act on it.”
The tools will change. The hype cycles will come and go. What matters is whether your vision is durable. Are you building toward a future-proof business model that gets better with AI? Or are you stuck chasing trends?
This might be the most important question. If no one owns it, it won’t happen. AI doesn’t belong in a silo; it needs cross-functional leadership, clear KPIs, and integration into core strategy.
With agents becoming more capable, certain tasks may no longer need direct human coordination. That’s not just automation, that’s a shift in your workforce. Have you through about what happens when agents start owning outcomes, not just tasks? Which parts of your value chain change? Having a clear point of view now will help you lead the shift rather than react to it.
These questions aren’t meant to be overwhelming. They’re meant to start better conversations that move you from exploration to execution, from scattered pilots to real transformation.
And in a world that’s becoming more AI-native by the day, these conversations might be your strongest competitive edge.
Keen to dive deeper?
Vincent is a senior leader in AI strategy and business transformation, helping Fortune 500 organizations unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence. As a Global Partner at Board of Innovation, he specializes in shaping AI-driven growth strategies for consumer goods, retail, and technology leaders across the USA and Europe. His expertise lies at the intersection of AI, business strategy, and enterprise transformation, helping senior executives navigate AI adoption and scale AI-driven decision-making. He’s focussed on helping organizations build future-ready AI strategies that deliver real business outcomes.
