As more organizations embrace AI to stay competitive, launching a dedicated AI team has become a strategic priority. However, integrating AI isn’t just about hiring data scientists and engineers, it’s about building a foundation that aligns AI initiatives with organizational goals, culture, and sustainability commitments.
Here are five essential considerations for leaders as they set up their AI teams or start adopting AI in their organizations.
1. Start with relevant data
Data may be called the backbone of AI, but not all data is useful. Rather than collecting data indiscriminately, it’s critical for leaders to focus on data that aligns with specific business objectives. Starting with meaningful data - and not assuming that any large dataset can automatically create value - is key.
Working closely with the AI team to identify valuable data helps lay a solid foundation. This also means avoiding very common pitfalls, such as stockpiling data without purpose, which can waste resources and dilute focus.
2. Collaborate early with IT and HR
AI is inherently cross-functional, involving multiple departments beyond the technical team. While IT provides the necessary infrastructure, HR plays an essential role in fostering an AI-first culture.
AI often brings changes to processes and ways of working. By collaborating with HR from the start, leaders can ensure that employees are prepared and engaged. Upskilling and retraining programs can help employees integrate AI into their workflows and processes, maximizing value across the organization. HR can also support AI-related talent acquisition, ensuring that the team has the right mix of technical, analytical, and strategic skills.
3. Engage the ESG team for responsible AI use
AI’s environmental impact is often largely understimated but I reckon this topic will soon get more scrutiny. Indeed, training large AI models requires substantial energy, raising concerns about sustainability. Leaders should prioritize collaboration between AI and ESG teams to ensure AI is used responsibly and consciously, and that the most adapted AI policies are in place.
When deciding how and when to deploy AI, consider energy-efficient applications and avoid using AI for tasks better suited to simpler tools, such as basic search functions. Conscious deployment preserves resources and aligns AI practices with the organization’s commitment to sustainability.
4. Prioritize data quality
“Garbage in, garbage out” is especially true for AI. Messy, inaccurate, or incomplete data can lead to flawed models and unreliable insights, thus costing a lot of money to an organization.
Therefore, leaders should invest in robust data-cleaning processes, establishing protocols to handle issues such as missing or incorrect data.
This ensures that AI models yield actionable, reliable results that can genuinely support decision-making and business growth. Focus and sponsorship on data quality creates a strong baseline that reinforces the credibility and effectiveness of AI applications. Strong information-sharing and feedback with the AI team needs to be put in place and fostered by the leader.
5. Align AI goals with the organization’s long-term vision
Launching an AI team is more than a project; it’s a long-term commitment that should resonate with the organization’s mission and goals. Leaders must define clear objectives for AI initiatives that complement and amplify broader business goals rather than focusing on short-term achievements alone.
AI should be seen as a transformative capability that empowers teams to innovate, creating value for both the organization and its stakeholders.
Bringing it all together
Ready or not, the AI era is at our door, and - as with digitization - organizations will need to adapt and jump on the Ai train sooner or later. Building an AI team is an impactful step toward building AI-first or AI-ready organizations.
If you’re looking to build or support an AI team in your organization - or if you’re a smaller company that wants to work with AI without building a dedicated team - let’s connect. With the right guidance, even small and mid-sized businesses can successfully leverage AI to enhance efficiency, innovation, and growth. Reach out to see how I can support your journey toward responsible, impactful AI integration.