Adopting AI in any organisation isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a cultural shift that, if done well, can lead to more inclusive, efficient, and empowered teams. In my experience, successful AI adoption involves more than just installing tools—it’s about building a strategy that aligns with organisational values, fostering the right skills, and ensuring that AI works to enhance (not replace) the human relationships at the heart of every great workplace.
Here’s what I bring to the table when it comes to helping organisations embrace AI effectively:
1. Phased Integration: A Strategic Approach to AI Adoption
One of the key insights from my recent work is the power of a phased approach to AI. Instead of diving headfirst into AI as an all-encompassing solution, I recommend a gradual integration. The first phase often focuses on using AI to support consistency and efficiency. For example, AI can help standardise processes like job description creation, which cuts down on inconsistencies and allows everyone to work from the same starting point.
Once an organisation is comfortable with AI on a task-specific level, we can look at embedding it more deeply. In this second phase, AI might even take on the role of a “team member” by offering insights, supporting analyses, and streamlining decision-making. However, this requires a balance; AI should be a tool to support people, not to replace the essential relational aspects of teamwork. This thoughtful, two-phase approach ensures AI’s role grows alongside the team’s capacity to use it wisely.
2. Building Essential Human Skills for Effective AI Use
AI adoption is only as strong as the human skills behind it. For organisations to make the most of AI, their teams need the skills to use it effectively and ethically. One critical skill is knowing how to ask the right questions. AI works best when it’s given clear, focused prompts, and that’s where a knack for asking powerful, strategic questions comes into play. This is very similar to the skillset used in coaching, consulting, or facilitation: the ability to frame a question that moves the conversation forward or brings out a valuable insight.
I help organisations train their teams to think critically about AI’s outputs, refine questions to get the most relevant responses, and use iterative thinking to keep improving. AI can respond to feedback, making it possible to refine prompts and achieve better answers, but it requires a certain skillset. My goal is to make sure teams feel confident and equipped to use AI in a way that aligns with their goals and values.
3. Establishing a Culture of Responsible AI Use
Successful AI adoption isn’t just about technology; it’s about embedding AI into the culture of an organisation responsibly and ethically. Many employees, even those who are generally tech-savvy, are concerned about the skills and understanding they need to work effectively with AI. This includes awareness of biases in data, the importance of human oversight, and maintaining a sense of ownership over AI’s outputs.
To help organisations create a culture of responsible AI use, I work closely with teams to ensure they understand AI’s limitations as well as its strengths. It’s essential for employees to feel that they’re not just using AI but are actively guiding it. This involves understanding that AI is only as neutral as the data it’s given and that human oversight is crucial to avoid unintended bias. My approach helps teams establish a positive AI culture—one where technology is a tool that supports team objectives while keeping people’s needs at the forefront.
4. Leveraging AI as a Neutral Tool in Organisational Development
In the realm of Organisational Development (OD), AI offers a unique opportunity to improve inclusivity and provide unbiased insights. AI can help with summarising feedback, analysing themes from workshops, and categorising data from surveys, all without the individual biases that can influence human analysis. By processing large amounts of qualitative data objectively, AI offers organisations a more balanced and comprehensive view of their team’s culture and performance.
I help organisations implement AI in a way that prioritises inclusivity and fairness. By using AI to identify patterns in team feedback and culture assessments, organisations can make better-informed decisions that reflect a truly diverse range of perspectives. When done thoughtfully, AI becomes a powerful ally in OD, helping teams understand their organisational culture and revealing areas for growth—all while respecting every voice in the room.
5. AI for All: Making OD and AI Tools Accessible to Smaller Organisations
One of my key goals is to democratise AI and OD tools for smaller organisations, particularly charities and nonprofits, that may not have the budgets for high-end consultancy services. AI opens up opportunities for these organisations to access insights and tools that were previously available only to large corporations with significant budgets. By streamlining workflows, supporting cultural assessments, and enhancing decision-making, AI makes high-quality OD possible on a smaller budget.
When I work with smaller organisations, my focus is on helping them adopt AI in ways that are accessible, affordable, and impactful. AI isn’t just for the big players anymore; it’s a tool that can help all organisations, regardless of size, create more inclusive, resilient, and effective workplaces. I provide tailored guidance to ensure that AI integration works within the unique structure and resources of each organisation.
Looking Forward: Supporting AI Adoption for a Healthier Future Workplace
The potential of AI is vast, but so are the responsibilities that come with it. Adopting AI thoughtfully and strategically can help organisations improve their processes, build inclusivity, and create healthier workplaces. My approach is to work closely with organisations at every step, from defining their goals and training their teams to embedding AI into their culture in a way that prioritises ethics and human connection.
Ultimately, AI adoption isn’t just about what technology can do; it’s about how we use it to support people. For organisations looking to make the leap into AI, I offer not just technical advice but a comprehensive, human-centred strategy that ensures AI enhances, rather than detracts from, the unique culture and values that make each workplace thrive.
Let’s create a future where AI works for everyone, making work more inclusive, empowering, and fulfilling.
https://mayvin.co.uk/podcasts/the-research-hub-podcast-ai-and-the-future-of-work