Your AI Plan is Being Quietly Ignored

2026-06-25 · Source: MIT Sloan Management Review · Field: Business & Management — Human Resources & Workforce Development, Operations & Process Management, Corporate Strategy & Leadership · Depth: Novice, quick

Summary

KeyAnna Schmiedl, Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman, highlights a critical flaw in most AI adoption strategies: leaders prioritize tool features over addressing employees' daily workflow frustrations. Instead of asking "how do we get people to use AI," the focus should shift to "what causes the most friction in your day?" This approach, detailed in a video, advocates for running effective pilot programs specifically designed to solve real workplace blockers, thereby improving how employees accomplish their tasks. The core message emphasizes leadership strategies for AI adoption that genuinely put people first, ensuring technology serves human needs rather than being forced upon teams.

Key takeaway

For leaders implementing AI solutions, stop forcing tools and instead identify your team's most significant daily workflow frustrations. Your AI plan should begin by asking "what causes the most friction in your day?" rather than "how do we get people to use AI." By focusing on solving these real problems through human-centric pilot programs, you will achieve genuine AI adoption that improves employee productivity and experience.

Key insights

Focusing on workflow friction, not tool features, drives successful AI adoption.

Principles

• Prioritize solving daily workflow blockers over tool features.
• Effective AI adoption starts with understanding employee frustration.

Method

Run pilot programs designed to address specific employee workflow friction points, rather than pushing AI tools directly onto teams.

In practice

• Identify specific workplace frustrations before introducing AI.
• Design AI pilot programs around employee needs.

Topics

• AI Adoption
• Employee Experience
• Workflow Optimization
• Pilot Programs
• Leadership Strategy
• Human-Centric AI

Best for: Executive, HR Professional, Consultant, Operations Professional

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by MIT Sloan Management Review.