Idea in Brief

The Problem

Many companies’ efforts to scale up artificial intelligence fall short. That’s because only 8% of firms are engaging in core practices that support widespread adoption.

The Solution

Cutting-edge technology and talent are not enough. Companies must break down organizational and cultural barriers that stand in AI’s way.

The Leadership Imperatives

Leaders must convey the urgency of AI initiatives and their benefits for all; spend at least as much on adoption as on technology; organize AI work on the basis of the company’s AI maturity, business complexity, and innovation pace; and invest in AI education for everyone.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping business—though not at the blistering pace many assume. True, AI is now guiding decisions on everything from crop harvests to bank loans, and once pie-in-the-sky prospects such as totally automated customer service are on the horizon. The technologies that enable AI, like development platforms and vast processing power and data storage, are advancing rapidly and becoming increasingly affordable. The time seems ripe for companies to capitalize on AI. Indeed, we estimate that AI will add $13 trillion to the global economy over the next decade.

A version of this article appeared in the July–August 2019 issue (pp.62–73) of Harvard Business Review.