AI is everywhere. It’s promoted as a game-changer, a disruptor, and a force that will redefine industries. Yet, despite the overwhelming buzz, many leaders struggle to grasp what AI truly means for their businesses.
What’s real, and what’s just hype?
Where should we invest, and what should we avoid?
How do we harness AI strategically without wasting resources?
These are the questions that executives across industries are asking. And the reality is, without AI fluency, organizations risk making misinformed decisions—either hesitating too long and falling behind competitors or rushing in and investing in initiatives that fail to deliver real business value.
AI is no longer a side project. It sits at the heart of how companies grow, compete and decide. Leaders who fail to build their AI fluency will struggle to navigate this transformation effectively.
The pace of AI advancement has been staggering. In just two years, AI has evolved from niche applications (and frankly poor results) to mainstream adoption across every industry.
Yet, most executives were not trained in AI. Unlike finance, marketing, or operations—where leaders have decades of experience to draw from—AI fluency is often an afterthought. Many leaders feel overwhelmed, struggling to keep up with AI’s rapid evolution and its implications for their organizations.
AI fluency isn’t about turning executives into data scientists—it’s about equipping them with the knowledge to make informed, strategic decisions to drive growth with AI. Leaders don’t need to code, but they do need to:
Without this foundation, leaders risk making decisions based on misinformation or fear, rather than strategy.
Dive deeper – watch our webinar on AI Fluency for Executives
Through conversations with executives, we’ve identified recurring concerns that highlight why AI fluency is crucial:
Many organizations assume that AI requires a complete digital overhaul. While modern infrastructure helps, AI can be integrated incrementally. The key is identifying AI applications that complement existing systems rather than overhauling them entirely. Good AI fluency helps leaders recognize these possibilities and avoid unnecessary disruption.
Not all AI investments generate business value. Leaders need to focus on AI applications that align with business priorities—whether that’s optimizing operations, or driving entirely new revenue streams. Understanding AI’s capabilities allows leaders to prioritize opportunities with the highest impact.
AI for AI’s sake is a recipe for wasted resources. AI fluency enables leaders to set realistic KPIs, track ROI, and align AI initiatives with broader strategic goals. Successful AI adoption isn’t just about innovation—it’s about solving real business problems.
A lack of AI vision is common, but waiting too long to act can be costly. The first step is education. Leaders must build foundational AI knowledge to assess where and how AI fits within their organization. From there, they can develop a phased roadmap, starting with small, high-impact initiatives before scaling.
To address these challenges, we’ve developed an Executive AI fluency session designed to equip leadership teams with the foundational AI fluency they need.
This four-hour session (with optional follow-ups) is built specifically for senior leaders who want to move beyond AI buzzwords and develop a clear, practical understanding of AI’s role in their business.
Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and expert insights, our Executive AI fluency session cuts through the noise and provides leaders with the knowledge they need to lead AI initiatives confidently.
Let’s connect and explore how AI can create real business impact for your organization.
Laura Stevens, PhD, is the Managing Director of Data & AI, bringing a unique blend of strategic vision, analytical expertise, and leadership acumen. With a background in neuropsychology, business consulting and organizational transformation, she has successfully navigated a career spanning academia, consulting, and industry leadership. As a former VP Data & AI in an international organization, Laura has led large-scale Data & AI teams covering data science, machine learning, data engineering, data governance, and visualization. She is passionate about leading organizations through their data & AI transformation.
