This past summer we sat across from a C-suite executive who asked a question that stopped me in my tracks:
“Should we just hire a new computer science grad and have them build us a bunch of AI agents?”
Our reaction?
A healthy dose of horror.
Let’s be honest: You wouldn’t hire a fresh-out-of-school graduate to be your Chief Financial Officer, would you?
You’re looking for experience, judgment, and a deep understanding of financial principles.
The same logic applies to AI and transformation.
AI isn’t just about coding; it’s about strategy, ethics, data governance, and business alignment first and technology second.
It’s about understanding the “why” behind the technology, not just the “how”.
Entrusting your entire AI strategy to a new hire, no matter how talented, is like handing the keys to the kingdom to someone who hasn’t even driven a car.
You will end up being technology focused and not value and outcome focused.
This is a big difference.
This isn’t about dismissing the skills of new grads;
it’s about recognizing the complexity of a successful organizational AI strategy.
It’s about building a team with diverse expertise and experience –
and giving them the strategic framework to succeed.
If your AI strategy is based on a new grad call us in 2 years to help you rebuild and course correct your failed AI transformation.
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