Why Are Companies Still Bad At AI?

Introduction

In this episode, we talk with Nicola Graham about AI adoption, business change and the human side of technological change.

Meet the Guest

Nicola Graham is a business change manager who runs her own company, Be Change Limited. She focuses on the adoption of new technology and its impact on employees.

Setting the Stage

AI tools are more accessible than ever, but technical availability doesn't automatically lead to adoption. Employees need to understand why they're using AI, what it means, and how to work safely with it.

Episode Highlights

• AI adoption isn't just an IT project — it's a change management challenge.
• The best implementations start with users and concrete problems.

Deep Dive

A technically sound AI solution can still fail if employees don't trust or understand it. Adoption requires communication, training, guidance and room to experiment.

Real-Life Stories & Examples

• Microsoft Copilot came up as an example of AI adoption at scale.
• Small language models can run locally on devices.
• AI can influence election communication and public opinion.

Key Takeaways

• AI adoption is a business-change challenge.
• Start with users and concrete problems.
• Training and communication are essential.
• Small experiments build trust.
• Account for misinformation and deepfakes.

Closing Thoughts

Companies often struggle because technology, data, processes and people aren't properly connected. A successful AI strategy makes AI understandable, useful and safe.