Since our visit to OpenAI in 2022 as part of our Silicon Valley Technology Summit, we have closely tracked the rapid evolution of Generative AI (GenAI). What has been fascinating is how quickly GenAI has transitioned from a specialist deep-tech innovation to a mainstream consumer tool. Many technological breakthroughs often take years to move from early adoption to widespread use or simply never quite achieve mass appeal. GenAI has made that leap incredibly quickly. In just a few years, it has shifted from an academic concept to a tool embedded in everyday applications, creating both opportunities and challenges for organisations trying to harness its potential.

While many individuals have begun using AI tools in their personal lives, there still appears to be a gap between personal and widespread organisational adoption. This is something we wanted to investigate. Our March roundtable brought together leaders from across our client base, sharing interests, experiences and exploring innovation pipeline strategies for AI adoption.

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Who Owns the AI Agenda?

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A key theme to kick off the conversation was the question of ownership. Some participants acknowledged that AI initiatives remain largely confined to IT and data teams, with insufficient involvement from leadership, people function or operational decision-makers. While technical teams have the expertise to deploy AI solutions, they may lack the broader business perspective needed to ensure AI delivers long-term value. Without leadership involvement, AI can become just another technology experiment rather than a strategic enabler of business transformation.

Several participants agreed that AI adoption works best when technology leaders, business executives and capability development teams share ownership, ensuring AI is aligned with business objectives, properly governed and embedded into day-to-day operations.

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The Importance of AI Literacy

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Another significant discussion point was the role of AI literacy, particularly among leadership teams. This is where our partners for the roundtable, UptakeAI, focus a great deal of their attention and excel in helping business leaders to upskill. It is apparent that while IT teams are actively exploring AI, executives and senior decision-makers often feel unsure about how to engage with it strategically. This lack of confidence can create a barrier to progress, with leadership teams hesitant to commit to AI adoption without a clear understanding of the risks, benefits and practical implications.

Some of this hesitation stemmed from a lack of experimentation with AI tools, making it difficult to separate hype from reality. Others were concerned about the ethical implications of AI, regulatory challenges and its impact on the workforce.

To overcome these barriers, businesses need to invest in leadership AI education. The beauty of GenAI, as we’ve already stated, is that everyone has access and should be able to experiment to grow their competence, something that can be accelerated with the right training and education. Peer learning was also seen as valuable, with leaders from different industries sharing insights and lessons from their AI journeys. The message was clear:

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AI literacy is no longer optional for leadership teams, it is an essential skill for guiding business transformation.

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AI Literacy + Technical Capability = Meaningful Progress

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While AI literacy is a crucial first step, it is not enough on its own. To successfully implement AI at scale, organisations also need the technical capability to build, integrate and govern AI solutions effectively. Leadership teams may set the vision, but without skilled technical teams, AI adoption remains theoretical.

We shared insights into how we at Ntegra built NORA, our internal AI assistant, designed to help employees quickly access company knowledge. Unlike generic AI chatbots, NORA was developed using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Azure AI Studio, allowing it to provide fact-based, context-aware responses while maintaining high levels of security and compliance. By developing NORA in-house, we were able to maintain full control over data security, ensure the tool aligned with business needs and provide a trusted AI resource for employees.

This example reinforced a key takeaway from the discussion:

Organisations that pair AI-literate leadership with strong internal technical capability are making the most meaningful progress.

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Leaders who understand AI can set the right strategic direction, while skilled technical teams bring those ideas to life, ensuring AI solutions are integrated seamlessly into business operations.

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Final Reflections: From Curiosity to Transformation

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The session concluded with a shared challenge: How do organisations move from AI curiosity to meaningful business transformation?

‍The discussion made it clear that AI adoption cannot be left solely to IT teams, nor can it be driven by leadership without technical execution. Success depends on a partnership between leadership, technical teams and employees, ensuring AI is embedded into organisational strategy, properly governed and continuously supported.

Connect with Ben Parish to explore how we can support your AI adoption journey.