How to Make Your Artificial Intelligence Initiatives Successful: Step 2

Step 2: Aim with the Right Ambition

Too many AI programs stall because teams fall in love with the technology instead of the business problem. One reason why AI initiatives fail in the eyes of management is not that they failed technically, but that they failed to bring tangible and relevant business benefits. Their benefits are seen as too insignificant and as waste of time. It's tempting to experiment endlessly—new models, new tools, new proofs of concept—but activity is not the same as impact. What drives management and gets them interested are their KPIs which are often measured in monetary terms like revenue or costs or can be mapped to money such as customer numbers. Technical novelty as such is not typically in their mind. Successful AI initiatives start with a clear ambition: What meaningful business outcome are we trying to achieve, and why does it matter now?

When ambition is vague, organisations drift toward "AI for AI's sake." They build demos that never scale, automate tasks no one cares about, or chase use cases that look impressive but deliver little value. For AI to gain traction inside a company—and survive beyond the demo phase—it must be tied to a meaningful business challenge. This does not mean that the impact has to be huge immediately from day one, as this is typically unrealistic, but AI initiatives need to address major topics. The result of unfocused efforts is predictable: enthusiasm fades, budgets shrink, and AI becomes a cautionary tale instead of a competitive advantage.

High‑performing organisations take a different path. They anchor their ambition in measurable business benefit—revenue growth, cost efficiency, risk reduction, customer experience. They prioritise use cases where AI can move the needle, not just showcase novelty. And they commit to solving real operational challenges, even when that requires more discipline than experimentation. The direction needs to be bold: aim high, even if you start small, and proceed with quick, targeted steps.

Ambition is not about thinking bigger; it's about aiming smarter. When you focus on the initiatives that matter most, AI stops being a playground and becomes a strategic engine for transformation.

Often the reason for this disconnect is that management and business stakeholders do not know what AI could do for them and thus do not set clear priorities, leaving technical teams to innovate in isolation. This is where we at Be Customer Smart can help you. We work with companies to pinpoint where AI can deliver substantial value and which opportunities deserve focus. We help you prepare an AI strategy based on your goals, your context, your priorities, and your capabilities. We start with your situation and resources—and help you apply AI in a way that truly matters. We bring you ideas and best practices from industry leaders.

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