5 Tips on How to Talk to Your Team About AI

How do you feel when you're about to implement AI-based solutions in your company or department? Excitement about the technology? Concerns about its untested nature? Pride in being a leader in innovation? Or maybe a mix of all these emotions? Regardless of how you feel, it's crucial to also consider how your team feels—it might even be more important.

The news headlines about AI emphasize how AI transforms workflows. The global AI market is expected to hit $757.58 billion by the end of 2025. Nothing to be surprised about—it saves money or boosts efficiency. Listening to the more cautious voices can bring up concerns about job cuts or the potential risks of hallucinations that could threaten the business. Depending on the type of news the team consumes, their approach may vary from enthusiastic to indifferent, to reluctant, or even hostile toward implementing AI.

The key is communication. My team integrates AI tools into their daily work, using them to assist with both routine and highly challenging tasks. This was made possible by following the best practices outlined below:

Mutual trust and respect

First and foremost, my team trusts me, and I trust the people I work with. There are multiple types of organizational cultures, yet one based on fear is not a good ground to start the AI journey. Without trust among employees and management, both vertical and horizontal, there would be a lot of false reports or politics around things that should be only evidence-based.

Clear information on roles and tasks to handle (and not to handle)

AI can be a powerful tool to handle everyday tasks. The challenge is that it is not suitable for all of them. When it comes to common business tools, their usage is pretty straightforward. The CRM stores the data, word processing tools support writing—you name it. Actually AI tools improve productivity by up to 80%. AI-based tools like ChatGPT are different, with their abilities appearing limitless.

To effectively use AI-based tools, the company needs to start small and handle only smaller tasks in the beginning. Also, the tasks of choice need to be carefully selected to not endanger the company with data leaks or communication failures.

Starting with simple, repetitive, and mundane tasks is ideal, along with company-wide lists of data or information that should never be shared with AI-based solutions. This brings us to the next point, which is about...

Training

The team must be clearly informed about how to use these tools, the goals they aim to achieve, and the purpose behind their implementation. Additionally, guidance on the interface and usage procedures is essential.

The best example is ChatGPT, where use cases are countless, yet the technology itself cannot be used without supervision. For example, a social media specialist who isn't interested in AI technology might be completely unaware of the issue of hallucinations. Machines can't lie, right? Well, not in this case.

Setting an example

Another key factor is leading by example—explore AI yourself. Show the team that they aren't just guinea pigs. If they see their boss embracing the technology, any initial reluctance is likely to decrease significantly.

Being transparent on goals and motivations

Last but not least, the team needs to know the purpose of testing new AI-based solutions. The team will be much more eager to tinker with new systems if they know the purpose. If there is a fear of being replaced somewhere in their heads, the implementation will fail no matter how sophisticated and good the system itself is. And up to one in three US employees is currently feared of losing a job due to AI.?

On the other hand, if using the tools will boost job security due to getting new clients and making tasks faster, the team will be more than happy to use them. Companies that use AI tend to attract up to 50% more leads.?

Summary

Implementing AI solutions in a company goes beyond just the technology. The human element is even more crucial—without the support of the team, even the most advanced technology will fail to deliver the desired results.

FOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS + ART BASEL VISITORS ????

I’m excited to host the first-ever Founders Network Miami Holiday Party! If you’ve been curious about Founders Network or want to connect with local entrepreneurs, investors, and partners, join us on December 4th for an evening of celebration and networking.

Let’s wrap up an amazing year of “founders helping founders” together in person.

Venue: LaplayaMIA , 150 NE 83rd St, Miami, FL 33138

Date/Time: Dec 4th, 5:30-8 PM

JOIN THE Data Science Salon ATX STARTUP SHOWCASE ??

Pre-seed or smaller AI and ML startups, we're calling on you to join the #DSSATX Startup Showcase at Oracle HQ on February 19-20, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to present to a knowledgeable audience of over 200 AI and ML experts.

?????? ???????????????????????

?? Demonstrate your startup’s core technologies and innovations to an audience that appreciates technical rigor and advanced applications.

?? Gain invaluable insights from seasoned data scientists and AI industry leaders who understand the complexities of your work.

?? Elevate your startup’s presence among a highly technical community, including potential collaborators and investors who are keen on technically sound investments.

?? Connect with industry peers and thought leaders who are shaping the future of AI and ML.

Last year, [ Vectorize ] got substantial attention and interest at our event [Watch Pitch]. This year, it could be your startup that captures the spotlight. We are selecting only four startups to present in this annual showcase. If your startup is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in AI and ML and is ready to demonstrate its potential on a significant stage, we encourage you to APPLY.

Join Me at RevvedUp 2025 - Code Inside - Driving Enterprise Value Through Data-Driven Innovation ????

I'm excited to share that I'll be speaking at RevvedUP 2025, an exclusive event taking place February 25-27 in Sarasota, Florida, and specifically designed for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data, and marketplace businesses. Designed to be a high-level, boutique event, it’s limited to 100 attendees. As a speaker, I’ve been given a code for a special discounted rate of 10% off the existing Front Runner Rate - just enter code RUPSPRK at this link (good through December 20th).

Looking for a trusted B2B marketing partner or ready to kickstart an experiential strategy or build a community—but not sure where to begin? Feel free to DM me, and we can explore how to bring your vision to life.