Brian Kolbusz, founder of BKAI, joins host KJ to unpack why so many AI initiatives fall apart long before the technology becomes the issue. Drawing on years as an IT executive at large corporations, he explains decision architecture and why every AI initiative should map back to a corporate objective, and every objective back to the company’s mission. The conversation covers why nearly 80% of AI initiatives miss their ROI, how pilots built for best-case conditions break at scale, and why AI has to be treated as a people initiative led by the frontline employees who know the work. Kolbusz also shares the 60/40 split he uses to balance customer-facing and internal goals, and how a behavioral health clinic kept patient satisfaction high by giving its AI the voice of a retiring receptionist.

Key Takeaways:

6:33 — What does skipping the mission cost a business when it buys AI?

10:16 — How can an AI pilot look beautiful and still fail at scale?

14:27 — Who knows where AI should be applied first?

22:29 — When does a failed AI initiative still count as a win?

Quote of the Show (13:47):

“AI is not an IT initiative. AI is a people initiative.” — Brian Kolbusz

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Ways to connect with Brian Kolbusz:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkolbusz/

Company Website: https://bkai.io

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