Leaders are rushing into AI—but many treat it like another IT program. In this episode, Sam Burman, Global Managing Partner for Frontier Tech at Heidrick & Struggles, shares practical steps to activate AI without losing the human system at the heart of every organization. We cover why the CEO must be the sponsor (not the expert), how to align the exec team on investment, governance, adoption, and operating models, and when to build vs buy vs partner. We discuss the rise of the Chief AI Officer (strategist + storyteller), the power of tying AI to core strategic drivers, and why fast followers are winning by doing something now. Looking ahead—from enterprise GenAI adoption to AGI scenarios—boards will choose: multiply your people, or chase marginal gains.

Top takeaways
🌟CEO sponsors; exec team owns

🌟Align on strategy, governance, adoption

🌟Consider a CAIO with commercial + storytelling capabilities

🌟Build for top line; buy for process; partner for speed

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