The Journey to AI Expertise
Angie started her AI journey while running a marketing agency for 18 years. She recognized early that AI would transform her industry, prompting her to pivot to consulting about two and a half years ago.
“I jumped into consulting with a specific intention of just doing it in the marketing lane,” Angie explains. “But then the corporations I was working with quickly said, ‘Wait a second, the marketing teams are having success – how can we do this here, here, here, here?'”
This demand led Angie to broaden her focus, becoming an AI adoption consultant who helps all departments understand how to utilize generative AI effectively.
The Disconnect Between Executives and Implementation
One of the biggest challenges Angie encounters is the disconnect between what executive teams want to achieve with AI and their willingness to invest in employee education.
“I see a big disconnect in leadership wanting to achieve what conferences and headlines say they can achieve with AI, but not wanting to invest in the literacy and education of their employees that are actually utilizing the technology,” she notes.
This creates situations where companies want AI but don’t fully understand the problems it could solve or how to implement it strategically.
The Role of a Chief AI Officer
Both Angie and Chris highlight that AI implementation isn’t an IT function, it’s a business function that requires someone who understands the company’s operations and can translate tech capabilities into practical workflows.
“AI is not the IT department,” Angie emphasizes. “If anything, I would argue that marketing personnel understand generative AI and its capabilities more than anyone because marketing touches every aspect – image, visual data, text.”
Chris agrees: “This is not an IT role. It’s more like someone who understands your business.”
Building AI Communities
Perhaps the most fascinating part of Angie’s work is her focus on building local AI communities. She runs both structured daytime meetups and unstructured evening gatherings in her city, bringing together people interested in AI regardless of their experience level.
“I feel strongly that as society moves forward with more capacity of working with machines, our connection with humanity needs to be exponentially more valuable,” Angie shares.
These communities serve multiple purposes:
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Providing support for individual learners
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Creating spaces for open discussions about AI ethics and applications
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Facilitating networking and business opportunities
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Sharing wins and learnings to accelerate everyone’s progress
In just 10 months, Angie’s community attracted 688 people from 26 states and several countries, all without any marketing efforts.
Experience Trumps Tech-Savviness
An interesting insight from the conversation is that when it comes to getting the most from generative AI, life and business experience often trumps technical knowledge
“The more real-world experience you have in life and work, the more traumatic experiences you’ve been through and navigated, the better you are at utilizing generative AI capabilities to their fullest extent,” Angie observes.
While younger, tech-savvy users might know how to use the tools, those with years of experience know exactly what to ask for and how to prompt the AI to get truly valuable results.
Getting Started with AI
For those feeling overwhelmed by AI, both experts recommend:
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Start with one platform (like ChatGPT) rather than trying to master everything
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Join or create a local AI community to learn from others
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Focus on practical applications relevant to your work
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Remember that your experience and domain knowledge are valuable assets when working with AI
As Angie puts it: “People are frustrated and exhausted from hearing ‘this is amazing’ without understanding what the one thing is they can apply today to help move the needle forward.”
The Future of AI in Business
The conversation makes it clear that AI adoption isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. Successful implementation requires:
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Leadership that understands the value of AI literacy
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Investment in employee education
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A strategic approach to identifying problems AI can solve
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Communities of practice to share learnings and support each other
For businesses looking to navigate the AI transformation, the message is clear: start with education, focus on practical applications, and build connections with others on the same journey.
Whether you’re just starting to explore AI for your business or looking to expand your current initiatives, this conversation provides valuable insights into the human side of AI adoption. By focusing on community, education, and strategic implementation, you can position yourself and your organization to thrive in the AI-enhanced future.
Want to learn more? Join the free AI Authority Challenge at challenge.chiefaiofficer.com
FAQs About AI Leadership
What is a Chief AI Officer? A Chief AI Officer is someone who can translate AI capabilities into business value. Unlike a technical role, this position focuses on identifying use cases, creating implementation strategies, and ensuring teams are properly educated to use AI effectively.
Do I need to learn all the AI tools available? No. Most professionals find success by mastering one platform (like ChatGPT) that works for their needs rather than trying to learn everything. Focus on finding practical applications relevant to your work.
How can I start building AI literacy in my organization? Begin with a company-wide workshop that brings everyone to the same level of understanding about generative AI. Create clear policies that provide guidelines without restricting experimentation, and start with pilot projects to demonstrate value.
Does AI implementation belong in the IT department? While IT has an important role to play, successful AI implementation requires domain expertise across departments. Marketing teams often lead early adoption because they understand content creation and communication—key aspects of working with generative AI.
What’s the biggest mistake companies make with AI adoption? Many companies want AI without understanding the problems it should solve. They also frequently underinvest in employee education, expecting results without providing the necessary training and support.
How can I find other people interested in AI in my area? Look for local meetups on platforms like Eventbrite, or simply start your own by inviting a few interested colleagues for coffee. The demand for AI communities is high, and these gatherings often grow organically through word of mouth.
