Download From Pilot to Scale: Building the GenAI-Ready Organization

Introduction

While GenAI today is in the public eye, early forms of AI have influenced the workplace for decades. AI appeared in the 1950s, with more practical applications emerging thirty years later. With advances in machine learning and natural language processing, AI’s role expanded. Most remember when GenAI took center stage in late 2022, with ChatGPT capturing the world’s attention. According to OpenAI, more than one million people signed up in just five days.

The debut of GenAI technologies introduced an innovative way to reimagine how work gets done. Across sectors, C-suite leaders began to recognize GenAI’s potential to revolutionize industries— some believe that it could become as ubiquitous as electricity. The same leaders are also asking critical questions: What is GenAI truly capable of, and what might it replace? Could it create like humans do? Could it potentially harm without humans involved?

Today, the broad interest in GenAI persists, filled with potential as well as complexity. Rapid advancements challenge companies to quickly find advanced business applications, from new product development to process efficiencies. Relatedly, leaders also have a responsibility to ensure GenAI is used responsibly and ethically. On the other hand, the rapid development of data centers is now at the top of environmental concern lists, while the entry cost for companies to adopt GenAI at scale is proving restrictive

It is also possible that the early hype over GenAI is losing some momentum. Recent research suggests that while 97% of
executives feel an urgency to adopt AI, employee enthusiasm has dropped 20% in the US. Now, business leaders are winding down two years of pilots, and 60% of organizations are not yet developing an enterprise approach to GenAI.

C-suite leaders can start preparing a GenAI-ready environment by building:

• A smart operational and governance foundation
• Leadership capabilities focused on GenAI
• An insightful and engaging communications strategy