AI Barbell Effect: The Unspoken AI Enthusiasm Gap at Big Companies
Vendors might find comfortable leaders blocking AI experimentation, and the objections may not show up actively but more silently. I've been interviewing SaaS CEOs who are exploring how to adopt software, some of them have reported to me that counterparts and old colleagues at big companies are discovering a barbell effect inside larger organizations.
What is the "AI Barbell Effect" in corporations?
On one side, you have a group of change agent senior leaders who want to make things happen. Then you have a "middle group" of employees that are just comfortable. Not wanting to change or investigate much. Note they are not truly incentivized to do so either. Then you have rank and file employees that are willing to create their own mandate. Sticking their own neck out, creating experiments, using the latest tools, sharing knowledge. This group is often politically inexperienced and unfamiliar with selling change in the wider organization.
What is the biggest challenge to widespread AI adoption?
In the middle of the barbell is the problem. Giving lip service to the CEO's AI noises, and blocking widespread organizational adoption.
How can companies overcome resistance to AI adoption?
The only solution is simple: demonstrated success. Slowly add to your user group, share successes, teach new skills and learnings. Telling people to try it and expecting them to listen is not enough. Showing them, holding their hand, and seeing the light come on is the only way forward. Confidence in anything new only comes from repeated demonstrated success. Otherwise, employees who simply don't "get it" will never get there for fear of looking dumb.
What does this mean for software providers selling AI tools?
For software providers this is a warning call. You are in the early adopter/pioneer phase. If you are selling pioneer AI software to homesteaders focused only on their year over year numbers, your software better be incredibly easy to adopt, not take massive tech investment, and generate less than 30 day ROI. Otherwise, be prepared for an uphill battle. After all, people still gotta hit their numbers.
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