At the heart of any technological transformation lies a fundamental question: How do we shift mindsets and engage teams effectively? During a Q&A session at our recent in-person ‘Navigating AI Adoption’ event, Janet Robb (ANS Group), Chris Huntingford (ANS Group), Humairah Patel (Aventum Group), and Eddie Twemlow (Burges Salmon LLP) tackled some of the most pressing challenges businesses face when adopting new technologies.
Here are the key themes that stood out:
Changing Mindsets
Transitioning to cloud services isn’t just about re-architecting systems—it’s about changing behaviors and company culture. Success comes from living in the world of internal customers and understanding their pain points. Adoption is driven by active engagement, hands-on collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the realities teams face.
Addressing Job Security Concerns in the Age of AI
Technology shifts often spark fear—particularly the notion that automation and AI could replace jobs. The best way to counter this “doom and gloom” narrative? A Champions Network that fosters transparency and clarity. Constant communication with teams is essential, ensuring that change is positioned as positive and empowering rather than disruptive. Encouraging involvement from the outset—building with, not for—makes transformation a collective journey rather than an imposed shift.
Governance & Security: Striking the Right Balance
A question posed to Eddie Twemlow sparked a critical discussion: How do you implement policy and governance to prevent data leaks while remaining risk-averse? His approach involved assembling a diverse team—including technology, innovation, and learning & development experts—to craft comprehensive policies. Leveraging solutions like Microsoft Purview to create a Modern Data Platform, along with security controls across applications, ensures clear accountability and regulatory compliance.
Bridging Generational Gaps in Tech Adoption
One of the biggest barriers to implementation? Generational differences. In fact, in our AI Readiness Report, which surveyed over 1,000 IT decision makers on their attitudes towards AI, 75% of organisations believed employees under 35 are leading AI adoption, and 55% of IT decision makers under 35 are integrating AI into the core of the business, compared to only 8% of those over 55.
While younger employees often adapt quickly to new tools, the multi-year journey of transition needs to accommodate the varying speeds of adoption across the workforce. The key takeaway: digitalisation must be paired with structured governance and careful planning to ensure success.
Navigating AI Prompts & Effective Communication
Another crucial discussion centred around prompt engineering and effective AI interactions. While not everyone has formal training, the best approach is to view prompt writing as clear communication—as if you’re explaining a task to a colleague. The key questions to ask: What information would I need to do this task? What details would help me perform my job effectively?
Experts advised embracing an iterative approach—feed AI additional context in small nuggets, refine requests, and engage in a natural conversation. Need help crafting a request? Ask the AI directly: “Create me a prompt to do this.” The more you practice, the better you’ll get! Ultimately, AI works best with a human ‘special touch’, ensuring thoughtful and strategic interactions.
(You might also find our guide on How to AI Prompt (Effectively) with Copilot 365 useful).
Final Thoughts
Technology evolves, but the core principles of transformation remain constant: engagement, communication, and inclusivity. By embedding these values into every stage of change, businesses can overcome barriers and foster a culture of sustainable innovation.
To understand more about the key barriers to AI adoption, how organisations are readying their workforces for AI, and the concerns many have towards use of AI, Download the ANS AI Readiness Report 2024 now.