Do you feel like you’re only person championing AI in your organisation? It can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you face restrictive policies and scepticism. The key is to respect existing boundaries but still find ways to use – and demonstrate – AI to create value through small, safe projects. Lead by example to inspire curiosity, build trust, and create a ripple effect.
Do you sometimes feel like you’re the only person in your team – and maybe even your organisation – flying the flag for AI? It’s not easy, especially if others are not interested, actively pushing back, or even banning it.
This is one of the most common responses when I ask people about the biggest challenges they have with AI right now. They say things like:
“I love using it and there is lots we could do with it. But our organisation is just slow to catch on to new technologies.”
“Fear, lack of trust and lack of education make AI an uncomfortable space…. It’s like you are doing something wrong!”
“I feel like I’m fighting this battle alone. My team is not really interested in trying to use it.”
Do you feel the same way? Are you excited and eager to use AI more, but you’re constantly being blocked or banned?
The solution is to smart small.
First, of course, everything you do must be within your organisation’s AI policy. Don’t go outside those rules – that would be risky, unsafe, and potentially a career-limiting move!
But within those rules, there’s often still a lot you could do.
Ideally, everybody is moving fast to becoming an AI-driven organisation. But that kind of change takes time – a lot of time. But even if you’re not there yet, look for things you can do right now.
For example:
- Use AI yourself for admin tasks like email, meetings, draft reports, and data analysis.
- Identify other AI champions in your team who can help and support each other.
- Engage your teams in running small-scale AI projects that create value just for the team.
Start small, set a good example for others, and demonstrate AI’s value in low-risk, highly visible ways. Over time, these small wins help to spread the message through your organisation.
I’ll be discussing this in my next online presentation coming up very soon – about AI in 2025 and beyond. It’s free, public, and open to everybody. Register now, and and share the link with your team and others in your organisation – especially those who are wary of AI now!
