The AI Journey: Catching People Where They Are

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a small group of less technical individuals who were feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the AI talk buzzing around their workplace. Despite the fact that the AI journey had only just kicked off, these folks already felt left behind. Why? Because it seemed like everyone around them was suddenly promoting themselves as an AI expert—something we all know is mostly not true (and I’m not excluding myself here).

They had attended a few online workshops on AI, but these sessions were too technical, too fuzzy, and didn’t really address their actual needs. It was clear that while the information was out there, it wasn't clicking for them.

So, I decided to take a different approach. I gave them a quick overview of the latest AI tools, but instead of diving into the technical details, I focused on how these tools could make their workday easier—showing them real-life examples that resonated with their daily tasks. By the end of the session, they left fully enthusiastic, a stark contrast to their initial skepticism. The difference? I caught them where they were on their AI journey.

The Human Element

Let’s be honest: humans are not machines. We aren’t programmed to instantly understand and integrate complex new technologies into our daily routines. We're prone to a little thing called human nature—which means we're curious, but also a bit wary of change. This is where many AI adoption strategies fall short.

Too often, organizations roll out AI initiatives without considering the learning curve involved. They forget that for most people, AI isn’t a familiar tool; it’s something new, something that needs to be explained in the context of their existing work and life. We need to provide real-life examples that show how AI can make their day-to-day tasks easier, more efficient, and maybe even a bit more fun.

Real-Life Examples: The Key to Understanding

For instance, imagine a busy project manager who spends hours sorting through emails and prioritizing tasks. AI can help by automatically organizing emails, flagging high-priority messages, and even suggesting responses. But unless this manager is shown exactly how AI can make their life easier, it’s unlikely they’ll fully embrace the technology.

Or consider a marketing professional struggling to sift through mountains of customer data. AI can analyze this data at lightning speed, uncovering insights that would take a human weeks to find. But again, if this capability is presented as just another complex tool rather than a helpful assistant, the marketer might feel more overwhelmed than excited.

Humans Are Humans, Not Machines

It’s ironic, really. On one hand, people are always trying to be more like machines—more efficient, more productive, more precise. On the other hand, machines are getting better at being more human—understanding language, recognizing emotions, even telling jokes (though I’ll admit, we still have the upper hand on humor).

So, while it's great to strive for efficiency, let's not forget that humans are, well, human. We need to feel comfortable with new technologies before we can fully integrate them into our lives. And that comfort comes from understanding, which is rooted in real-life examples and personalized training.

Meeting People Where They Are

As leaders, it’s our job to ensure that AI doesn't become just another intimidating tool on the shelf. We need to demystify AI, showing our teams how it can be a helpful partner rather than a threat. This means taking the time to train people, provide relatable examples, and offer ongoing support as they get used to working with AI.

By meeting people where they are on their AI journey, we not only ease the transition but also unlock the full potential of AI. After all, the real power of AI isn’t in the technology itself—it’s in how we use it to enhance our human abilities.

And remember, while machines might be getting better at mimicking us, there's one thing they can’t replace: our ability to learn, adapt, and evolve.

So let’s make sure EVERYONE has the opportunity to do just that.

How do you feel about AI in your workplace? What barriers have you faced in adopting or using AI tools?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!