Readiness checklist
- Have we ignited a sense of urgency around AI throughout the whole organization?
- Have we created safe environments for teams to test AI use cases without performance pressure?
- Are our employees putting newly learned AI-related skills to work on real projects?
- Do we have metrics that track how AI is impacting internal efficiencies and customer-facing outcomes?
Three steps to reskill at scale
To scale from isolated pilots to transformation, CEOs must provide an organizational environment that welcomes AI:
Step 1: Invest in hands-on reskilling programs
Programs must go beyond passive learning. Employees should work on real projects that integrate AI tools, whether experimenting with predictive analytics or GenAI in content creation. The emphasis must be on “learning by doing” and business relevance.
Step 2: Create “sandboxes” in which employees can test innovations safely
Provide safe environments in which teams can test AI use cases without performance pressure. These sandboxes encourage experimentation and foster a culture of curiosity. Crucially, you need to shield these sandboxes from bureaucratic drag to avoid smothering innovation.
Step 3: Put metrics in place to track internal and external impacts
Track how AI affects both internal efficiencies and customer-facing outcomes. Measuring impact helps maintain focus, justify investments, and reinforce a results-oriented mindset.