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"This isn't new. It is what we have been doing for a long time. Don't chase the shine. Use the same innovation process. AI is just one more thing." — John Shellenberger, VP and CIO, Johns Manville

Is Artificial Intelligence Real or Hype?

While some say hype, more and more organizational leaders say it is real. How are organizations successfully implementing AI? In a series of articles over the next few months, I will provide an overview, real-world case studies, and practical take-aways to help you and your organization survive, thrive, and generate ROI.

AI Situation

	RECORD LEVEL OF INVESTMENT. In 2024, U.S. private AI investment grew to $109.1 billion — nearly 12 times China's $9.3 billion and 24 times the U.K.'s $4.5 billion. Generative AI saw particularly strong momentum, attracting $33.9 billion globally in private investment, an 18.7% increase from 2023. [Source]
	AI BUSINESS USAGE IS ACCELERATING. 78% of organizations reported using AI in 2024, up 55% from the year before. Meanwhile, a growing body of research confirms that AI boosts productivity and, in most cases, helps narrow skill gaps across the workforce. [Source]
	EMPLOYEE USAGE IS EXPANDING. Who is using AI at work? Nearly everyone. Even skeptical employees want to make their job easier. Organizations can support the transition by embedding AI in repetitive work processes. From healthcare to transportation, AI is rapidly moving from lab to daily life. [Source]
	AI IS GAINING TRACTION. Usage varies by company and department, however there are real applications in Technology and Operations, HR, Services, Staffing, Call Center and Customer Relations, Finance / Legal, Sales and Marketing, and more.

Building an Innovation Culture with an Innovation Process

Do you have an innovation culture in your firm? The right culture produces great results. While building this culture encompasses many elements, one important part is having an innovation process. The innovation process is a structured approach for transforming ideas into tangible products, services, or processes.

Innovation itself is the successful introduction of something new or significantly changed, be it a product, process, service, or business model, that creates value. In this context, AI is another innovation.

Innovation involves more than just having a new idea. It requires implementation and, ideally, produces impact — an improvement in efficiency, effectiveness, or competitive advantage.

Firms typically follow these steps in their innovation process: insight, idea, innovation, introduction / implementation, and impact. Let's see this in action.

Johns Manville - A Real Case Study

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, had a need. They're primarily in the building products industry, focusing on manufacturing and marketing products for building insulation, commercial roofing, and engineered products. The insight came in the form of a question. How can we more easily provide technical support to our field team and other employees?

Through collaborative dialog between staff in the business units and the centralized information technology (IT) organization, an answer emerged: use an AI Technical Support Bot. They evaluated this and other ideas using a Benefit / Effort Matrix. The Bot would be built with a Microsoft Copilot add-on. The goal was, within six months, to shift more and more repetitive responses to the Bot.

Going through a proof of concept to pilot to production-level system, they worked with a trusted partner to implement the right solution. Along the way they needed to find the right data, adjust and learn, test and validate, while being agile. The cost-neutral result brought impact: happier staff who had 24/7 accessibility, better allocation of resources to improve support, and a solution to use for other knowledge sharing needs.

AI Innovation Implementation - Take-Aways.

	OFFER THE RIGHT PRODUCT. Find the business need. Ensure there's a good business case with supporting data. Build on a known system with trusted vendors / partners. Iterate on improving the customer experience.
	OFFER THE RIGHT INFORMATION. Have an easy-to-use human interface that provides a compelling solution. Then help users adapt to it. Have live technical support representatives train users and field staff on using the Bot.
	OFFER THE RIGHT REWARD. Provide convenience to users by having a superior solution available 24/7.

Summary

AI is here. It's real in its ability to provide business value, but organizations need to ensure the right AI solution. How? Build an innovation culture using the innovation process. Move insights to ideas, to innovations, to sound implementations that provide impact. Ensure the right product is offered with the right supporting information in order to deliver the right rewards to users. Help is here, through experienced AI advisors like me, to get you and your organization moving quickly. Don't wait and be left behind.

Selected Events

June 7, 2025. BPW Colorado Annual Convention. Join Theresa as she facilitates a strategic planning session on the future direction of this leading women's organization. 8:30 AM - 5 PM MT. Mosaic Community Campus, Colorado Room, 1895 Quebec Street, Denver. Learn more and register.

June 16-18, 2025. GlobalMindED Conference in Denver. Join me at this event which connects businesses and organizations to a talent pipeline and helps students connect to opportunities. Theresa speaks on "Resilient Leadership" and on "Journey from First Gen to Boards." Learn more and register.

June 24, 2025. Private Directors Association of Colorado. Lunch and Learn. 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM MT. A Private Board Discussion on People and Talent Management. First Western Trust (Cherry Creek), 240 St. Paul St., Suite 500, Denver. PDA members only. Learn more and join.

Book Theresa to Coach, Speak, Facilitate, and Consult

See Theresa in action. Theresa's engaging presence, original stories, actionable insights, humor, wide-ranging experiences, and practical pointers have earned her top speaker and consultant rankings at many events and with a wide-range of business clients. Let "The Catalyst for Extraordinary Results" help you and your organization thrive. Learn more at TMSworld.com and see a sample of Theresa's speaking programs.

As Deana Rich, Co-CEO of Infinicept, said, "It is with great confidence that I recommend Theresa Szczurek as an executive coach. I had the privilege of working with her during a time of significant transition at my company, and her guidance proved to be both timely and invaluable. What stood out immediately about Theresa was her ability to draw from real-world experience."

Emily Jarvis at GovLoop said, "Of all the keynoters I've worked with, Theresa is among the best."

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
C-Level Executive, Certified Corporate Director, Certified Management Consultant®, Executive Coach, Speaker, and Colorado CIO of the Year

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