Embracing AI Across The Enterprise: Beyond Tools To Transformation
Drew Naukam is the CEO of Gorilla Logic , an AI-led digital software engineering firm specializing in building complex products & platforms. getty
Companies rush to invest in AI tools and then scratch their heads when nobody uses them. A McKinsey 2025 report reveals that "almost all companies invest in AI," but only 1% consider themselves fully mature in AI deployment and "driving substantial business outcomes."
That gap speaks volumes about the human side of technology adoption.
As CEO of an AI-led digital product engineering firm, I'm experiencing in real time how AI reshapes the way companies build, test and sustain software. What separates the winners from the rest rarely hinges on technology budgets or platform selection—it lives in nurturing intentional leadership, clear communication and a willingness to rethink traditional work approaches.
Let me share what actually works to cultivate an AI mindset that transforms organizations. Get Everyone In The Game
Delegating AI solely to data scientists guarantees limited results. A 2023 McKinsey survey indicates that organizations integrating AI across multiple business units are more likely to report significant revenue increases.
We tested this through an AI challenge that got everyone involved—from engineers to marketing folks to our HR and finance teams. We simply asked, "Show us how you're using AI in your daily work." The results blew me away. Engineers automated test cases, HR folks transformed job descriptions and our marketing team reimagined content creation.
Prizes were awarded for the most creative use cases, but the real reward was the dialogue it sparked. Cross-functional inspiration flourished organically, and people saw that AI isn't just for data scientists—it's a tool anyone can leverage to work smarter. Give 'Em The Keys (But Set Some Ground Rules)
To make AI more than an idea, you have to make it accessible. IBM identifies inadequate expertise and access to tools (42%) and concerns about data privacy (40%) as top AI adoption barriers in 2025.
We tackled both simultaneously. We provided premium licenses to leading AI platforms while deploying a governance framework with clear guidelines on approved tools, data protection and client engagement.
This approach hits the sweet spot between innovation and responsibility. Too many guardrails and people won't use the tools. Too few, and you're asking for trouble. Finding that balance sends a powerful message: "We trust you to innovate, and we'll give you the tools to make it happen." Don't Just Accelerate Workflows, Reimagine Them
One of the most compelling AI success stories came from a member of our marketing team who has fully embraced AI in her work. I asked her what made her successful with AI, and she told me that when she gets a task, she steps back to see the big picture. She then tries to break the task down into parts and thinks about how she can use AI to help execute the task. She told me that instead of immediately diving into a task, she first considers how AI tools can make her more productive. She can now complete tasks that used to take one or two days in only one or two hours.
Restless and curious rule the day. Our marketing lead wasn't satisfied doing things the same way. She was restless. And she brought curiosity about new tools that enabled her to increase productivity on a huge scale. Breakthrough gains emerge when people stop viewing AI as an accelerant for existing methods and start envisioning entirely new approaches to accomplish objectives. Bring Your Clients Along For The Ride
If you're a consulting firm, your AI journey has to include your clients. A recent IBM survey reports that 86% of global executives seeking consulting services are looking for providers that utilize AI, and about 66% indicate they would discontinue working with consultancies that don't incorporate AI into their offerings.
We encourage clients to allow our engineers to use AI tools during projects, and we help them identify where AI can add value to their own processes. Whether it's speeding up backlog grooming or enhancing QA automation, our consultants are trained to spot where AI makes a difference—and to execute responsibly.
We're also running an internal AI hackathon to explore emerging AI solutions for client challenges in software delivery. The focus: How can we push the boundaries of what AI can do in the context of modern software delivery?
The most successful client relationships develop when both sides explore AI possibilities together, learn from each experiment and build on learnings. Find Your Champions And Measure Results
Adoption isn't a one-time initiative—it's a movement. We identified AI change champions across departments who are naturally enthusiastic about AI and eager to bring others along. These champions host workshops, surface success stories and help others understand how AI can be applied to their work.
We're also exploring role-specific "AI accelerators" for functions like QA, product management and DevOps. The beauty of this approach is that it creates momentum from within. When trusted colleagues embrace AI, conversations shift from "Do I have to?" to "How do I start?"
These efforts yield measurable results: manual test writing time reduced by 30%, legacy code documentation transformed and QA teams identifying previously undetectable defect patterns. But the biggest win transcends metrics—skeptics now proactively seek ways AI can eliminate routine tasks, focusing instead on creative, strategic work that truly unlocks innovation. Final Thoughts: AI Is A Team Sport
The companies that will win in the AI era aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or fanciest tools. They're the ones building cultures where people feel safe to experiment, have access to the right tools and get recognized when they take smart risks.
If you're a leader wondering how to bring your organization along on the AI journey, my advice is simple: Start small, lead by example and celebrate progress. You'll be amazed by what people create when you give them the tools—and trust—to innovate. Technology may initiate transformation, but people determine its success.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fast Company
10 minutes ago
- Fast Company
For public sector projects, it's about value—not just the product
Across the United States, governments are making record investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and IT systems—yet too often, these efforts fall short of delivering the promised impact. Compared to global peers, our public projects cost more and take longer, as they are often bogged down by bureaucratic red tape and a tendency toward short-term thinking. The question we must ask is: Are we spending wisely, or just spending? A recent study from the Brookings Institution found that 'the U.S. spends three times as much as other upper- and middle-income countries on certain transportation infrastructure.' Similarly, a report from the Commonwealth Fund highlighted that the U.S. spends nearly twice as much per capita on healthcare than the average OEDC nation, yet outcomes often lag. This pattern extends to IT procurement, where public agencies frequently invest in redundant, non-integrated systems that fail to deliver meaningful efficiencies. The problem isn't a lack of funding. It's a lack of strategic allocation. THE PITFALL OF 'PRODUCTS OVER PURPOSE' Government agencies often prioritize buying products over solving problems. IT procurement is a prime example: Chief information officers (CIOs) are often overwhelmed with vendors offering new cybersecurity and management tools. But adding more tools doesn't always make systems better. Instead of asking, 'What can we buy?' decision-makers should ask, 'What problem are we solving?' Successful CIOs create a structured discipline for vendor management. By setting clear roles, ensuring contract alignment, and preparing for potential crises, they shift from chasing quick fixes to building sustainable solutions. This is the mindset governments need to embrace. THE HIDDEN COSTS OF THE 'USE IT OR LOSE IT' MENTALITY A major roadblock in public sector spending is the 'use it or lose it' budgeting mentality. Agencies rush to spend their budgets before the fiscal year ends, often leading to wasteful purchases that don't align with long-term goals. This squanders public funds. The issues we face are not a lack of resources or technology, but a failure to think long-term and prioritize impact over transactions. The prevalence of short-term decision-making in the public sector is rooted in systemic challenges. As mentioned above, the 'use it or lose it' budget framework pressures agencies to exhaust funds within fixed cycles, often prioritizing immediate expenditures over investments in sustainable, long-term outcomes. Reforming budget policies to encourage multi-year planning and flexibility could enable more impactful resource allocation. For vendors and service providers working with the public sector, it's easy to slip into a cycle of mutual dependency that stifles innovation and progress. True disruptors recognize this trap and seize the opportunity to deliver meaningful value by confronting complex public-sector challenges with bold, inventive solutions. The leaders who dominate the next era won't cling to comfort or familiarity; they'll relentlessly focus on measurable outcomes, agility, and the courage to consistently present decision-makers with thoughtfully designed solutions that clearly address unmet needs. SHIFTING THE MINDSET Policymakers and companies working on public sector projects need to redefine success—not as the completion of a contract but as the delivery of real, measurable improvements for the public. As such, public agencies must then move beyond simply 'spending budgets' and instead focus on creating lasting, scalable investments. If we want meaningful change, we must stop treating 'projects' as a short-term transaction and start treating them as a long-term opportunity to shape a more sustainable and forward-thinking governance model. The time for short-term fixes is over. It's time to put value first.
Forbes
12 minutes ago
- Forbes
Spotting Opportunities: An Executive's Guide To AI Agents In Retail
Oleg Lola, founder and CEO at MobiDev, a custom software engineering & consulting company. getty Big-name retail corporations are already employing AI agents to upgrade shopping experiences, automate operations and boost business performance—setting the bar high for competitors. During the last NRF 2025 Retail's Big Show, where my company MobiDev's team presented, it was impossible to ignore how much AI was being talked about. It was obvious that AI is a must-have technology for the industry. For me, AI is a driver of the modern tech world. At MobiDev, we use AI not only as a technology for our clients but also for ourselves. There are many tools that can improve our productivity and performance, so I always encourage my teammates to take a look at those tools and try to use them in their work. At MobiDev, we had been developing AI agents for years before they became popular. I want to share my experience here and explain what retail SaaS executives can expect from AI agents. The term 'agentic AI' encompasses AI systems that can think and act on their own—learning from real-life interactions, making decisions and managing tasks with little to no human input. In retail SaaS solutions, AI agents automate processes, personalize customer experiences and turn raw data into practical findings. For an example of this, look no further than one of the big names in the industry. Walmart has achieved a 68% supplier deal closure rate using AI-powered chatbots, saving an average of 3% in costs. Here is how I've personally seen agentic AI change the rules of the retail game: • Personalized Shopping Assistants: AI-powered chatbots suggest products based on your customers' preferences, making shopping more intuitive and entertaining. According to the Nasdaq, 71% of consumers desire generative AI integration in their shopping experiences. • Better Inventory Management: AI agents in retail SaaS tools analyze demand patterns for forecasting, minimizing potential waste and ensuring customer satisfaction. • Fraud Detection And Security: AI agents can continuously monitor transactions, catching suspicious activity in real time to keep your clients and their customers safe. Before jumping into AI agent development, SaaS companies need to identify where AI can bring the most value to their users. First, it's necessary to understand where AI can make the biggest impact on your clients. Here are a few pain points I've identified: • Customer Experience: Incorporated into your retail SaaS, AI chatbots and shopping assistants with virtual fitting rooms can create seamless interactions between your client's business and their customers. • Sales And Marketing: AI agents can examine customer behavior, forecast trends and even facilitate dynamic pricing to boost conversions. • Inventory And Supply Chain: Automated restocking and warehouse optimization, via POS systems, can allow your clients to have the right products available at any moment. • Fraud Prevention And Risk Management: Real-time transaction monitoring and fraud prevention mechanisms powered by AI can keep your clients' businesses and customers secure. • Operational Efficiency: AI agents in retail SaaS can simplify workforce management and automate repetitive tasks, freeing users for more strategic missions. To turn an AI agent into a valuable tool, it's essential to identify real challenges that your clients experience: 1. Where and when are retail customers getting frustrated? 2. Which repetitive tasks in your SaaS tool eat up too much of users' time? 3. Are valuable data insights sitting unused? A deep internal audit of the users' workflows within your retail SaaS product will help you discover the best opportunities for AI agent intervention. If you are developing a new product, it's necessary to conduct thoughtful market and product research to understand the role of AI agents in your SaaS product. Finally, any AI investment should show clear business benefits, so you need to answer these four questions: 1. Can AI decrease operational costs for your clients? 2. Can AI agents add new functionality to your product? 3. Will AI push revenue growth for you by increasing your customer base and decreasing your churn? 4. How do development expenses compare to expected returns? Adopting AI agents requires detailed planning. Without a solid plan, attempts to implement AI can become overwhelming and result in a huge disappointment. One of the first considerations I like to look at is market fit and overall product success. A well-executed business analysis phase within the AI consulting process can bridge the gap between technical capabilities and real-world applicability, offering long-term business value. Having the right technical expertise is also a major part of making an AI agent work. First, you need to figure out if your team has the skills to work with AI in-house or if you require additional resources. It's not just about understanding what an AI agent can do—it's also about its limits in mind and having AI systems work smoothly in the long run. A clear implementation plan is just as important. It's worth thinking about who should be the first to test AI— users you have randomly picked or those who have volunteered—and what success should look like. Setting clear goals early on will make it easier to track progress and see if the AI agent is delivering results. AI isn't just a buzzword. The key is to adopt it strategically after thoughtful research or AI consulting, ensuring it solves real problems and drives measurable results. In my opinion, people (and companies) who are not using AI now are akin to dinosaurs. If they are not already extinct at this point, they may become so in a couple of years. AI agents are redefining the retail industry, and SaaS companies must embrace them to stay competitive. However, they need to do it with intelligence. By identifying high-impact areas, analyzing the pain points of their clients and carefully assessing ROI, retail SaaS providers can successfully integrate AI into their products. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Wall Street Journal
12 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
Chinese Firms Skirt Chip Curbs by Flying Hard Drives Abroad
The U.S. has tightened the noose around the sale of high-end AI chips and other technology to China. Yet Chinese companies have made advances using workarounds. In some cases, AI developers carry data to countries where Nvidia chips are available, frustrating Washington's efforts:
