In our latest webinar, Building an AI-Powered Organization, Ted Souder, former Google executive and now CEO/Co-Founder of Stealth AI Startup, made a clear case: AI adoption isn’t stalling because of technology. It’s stalling because of people.
Why AI Pilots Get Stuck
More than 85% of Fortune 500 companies are testing AI, yet 80% of those pilots fail to scale. Employees are anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure where AI fits into their day-to-day.
Souder warns, “Without clear leadership and a culture of experimentation, adoption stalls.”
The AI Workforce Transformation Model
Section’s model offers a roadmap for moving beyond experiments to organization-wide adoption. It centers on four interlocking pillars:
1. Leadership & Vision
Transformation starts at the top. Leaders must model usage, set bold adoption targets (25–40% of executives within 90 days, 80% within six months), and create guardrails that unlock usage rather than restrict it.
- Build an AI manifesto that outlines company stance, operating norms, approved platforms, and rules and policies.
- Craft a data policy that balances safety with practical usage.
2. Identify & Enable Champions
Change doesn’t stick with top-down mandates alone. Champions — early adopters who are already high performers and natural influencers — bridge the gap between technology and culture.
- Use interviews or surveys to identify them.
- Invest in their visibility through contests, lunch & learns, or dedicated AI channels.
3. Proficiency & Role-Specific Training
To build confidence, teams need hands-on, role-based learning.
- Create an AI channel to surface wins and troubleshoot blockers in real time.
- Offer ongoing office hours.
- Build prompt and use case libraries.
4. AI Use Cases
Adoption accelerates when employees see concrete, repeatable wins. The model emphasizes a two-pronged approach:
- Personal Wins: Small but meaningful boosts like cutting 20 clicks or saving 30 minutes.
- Workflow Wins: Team-level redesigns that unlock step-change productivity.
Resistance may slow adoption, but the path forward is clear. With our AI Certificate program in partnership with Section AI and expanded training in 2026, the PR Council is committed to helping leaders turn experiments into transformation.
PRC Members can watch the full recording now in our Resource Library →