Struggling with AI Implementation? You're Not Alone and It’s Not Just About the Technology

Artificial intelligence has become a business evergreen. Everyone is talking about it, some are testing it, but very few are actually leveraging it to its full potential. Why? Because the main challenge rarely lies in the technology itself. More often, the barriers are rooted in company culture, people, and leadership approach. If you're expecting AI to clean up your messy processes or make decisions for you, you're likely in for a disappointment. But if you accept it as a catalyst for transformation, it might just become one of the most valuable “colleagues” your organization ever had.

Why Is It Working Elsewhere, but Not Here?

Across many companies and industries, one theme keeps repeating: frustrated management. CEOs and decision-makers often feel like the AI train has already left the station. And no wonder — everywhere they turn, they hear how others are using AI to streamline decision-making, boost efficiency, and plan strategy. Meanwhile, they’re still wrestling with messy data, unstructured processes, and internal resistance. And even when they do choose a solution, they often hit a wall because of concerns over regulations or strict security frameworks like TISAX.

The reality is more paradoxical than it seems. Most companies are in a similar situation. They just don’t talk about it. Even organisations that are technologically more advanced often struggle to figure out where to even begin with AI. What they’re missing is a roadmap, available capacity and, most importantly, a clear vision.

This is especially true for manufacturing companies. AI is often considered mainly from a production perspective, while potential in sales, logistics, HR or back office remains untapped. And yet, these are the very areas where AI can bring the fastest and most visible benefits.

There’s No Need to Fear AI

Many employees still see AI not as a helpful tool but as a threat. And honestly, it’s no surprise. If no one explains that their work has real value that machines can’t replace, it’s only natural for them to resist change.

Plenty of people still spend their time manually retyping data, copying information from one spreadsheet to another, or handling routine communication that could easily be automated. But companies don't hire people for this. You want to pay them for their skills, not for burning hours building complex Excel sheets based on VLOOKUP. This is exactly where AI can help unlock their true potential.

Of course, this can only work if communication is happening clearly and consistently across all levels of the company. It's not enough to just announce that "we’re introducing AI." People need to be actively involved. Talk to them about what this technology can bring and help ease any concerns. A decision maker should be able to say, "We’re not here to replace you. We want you to finally focus on work that matters."

And the best way to start is with specific examples. Show employees how AI can save time. Like automatically generating a meeting summary instead of typing it out manually. Or summarising a long document in under a minute. Or drafting an email that would otherwise take half an hour. Even that tricky VLOOKUP? AI can often suggest a solution in seconds. 

Comfort Can Be Deceptive

Let’s be honest — we’ve all heard (or said) the classic phrase “as long as it’s all good.” The Czech mentality, rooted in calm, stability, and avoiding unnecessary disruption, can be charming and even helpful in certain contexts. But in a time of rapid technological change, this philosophy of “keeping things comfortable” can quickly lead to stagnation.

Many leaders still approach AI as just another IT project, assuming their tech department will eventually figure it out. But AI is not just a chatbot or a plugin for your CRM. It represents a fundamental shift in how we work, make decisions, and lead. That means buying great software isn't enough. We need to start an honest conversation about what our organizations should look like in two or three years.

If we’re serious about AI, we need to involve people in the process and invest in them. We can’t hide behind buzzwords — we have to show real impact. After all, we don’t want casual conversations after work to revolve around how everything is comfortably quiet at the office. Instead, we should be discussing what we’ve tried, where we’ve made progress, and which new tools have helped us move forward. Because while we often focus on staying comfortable, the US and China have long been focused on performance and efficiency — and Europe is falling behind. 

If we don’t want to become an artifact in a museum of Europe’s past achievements, we must take global developments seriously, embrace innovation, and use AI as one of the tools to get there. That’s not a nice-to-have — it’s a necessity. Across everything: data, processes, competencies. Not “comfortably,” but thoroughly and with full commitment.

Change means staying ahead of the curve

You can’t expect the world to slow down. It won’t. Technological progress is accelerating rapidly, and those who choose to stay in their comfort zone are unlikely to see their businesses thrive.

Change should no longer be seen as an exception. It’s the new normal. Leaders who manage to embed AI into their people, processes, and company culture will gain the most. Not because they have the best tools, but because they have the courage to try a different approach. Artificial intelligence can become a strong catalyst for transformation, but only if it is approached with courage, responsibility, and a genuine desire to inspire others.

Interested in more insights on AI transformation? Next time, we’ll explore the tools that are suitable for getting started, how to avoid security risks, which modules can increase productivity, and why AI literacy is something no company should underestimate.