There’s a significant disconnect playing out in organizations right now. Leaders understand AI is probably the most transformative technology of their lifetimes. They’re making bold announcements and setting ambitious targets. Yet they’re not providing the structures, ownership, or vision needed to drive real change. The result? Small pilots, incremental efficiency gains, and nowhere near the transformation everyone keeps talking about.
The issue isn’t the technology. Organizations simply aren’t wired for transformative change, particularly when it cuts across departments and functions. Nobody owns it, and there’s no clear model for what the future should look like. The implications for talent, skills, and how we think about work are enormous.
What does it actually take to rewire an organization for the AI era?
My guest this week is Stephen Wunker, co-author of “AI and the Octopus Organization.” In our conversation, he shares what’s really happening, what’s holding companies back, and what this means for talent professionals.
In the interview, we discuss:
• The gap between what CEOs are saying and what is actually happening
• What is holding AI transformation back
• Distributed innovation
• What is an “Octopus Organization”?
• The role of human judgement and the need for more critical thinking
• Examples of companies that are succeeding
• Talent and culture
• What will happen to the adoption rate? Where will we be in two years’ time?
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A full transcript will appear here shortly.
