
Navigating Productivity, Fear and Opportunity
This blog post explores the complex relationship between generative AI and workplace transformation, examining how workers simultaneously fear job displacement and actively embrace AI to enhance productivity. Drawing on recent research from Stanford and Australia's Finance Sector Union, it highlights the mismatch between organisational AI strategies and employee preferences. It concludes with actionable insights and recommendations for leaders on aligning their AI approach to ensure empowerment, trust, and mutual benefits within their teams.

The AI Skills Learning Journey
Keen to build your generative AI skills but not sure where to begin – or how to help your team do the same? I’ve just updated my AI Skills Learning Journey with a clear, flexible roadmap that covers both free and paid courses, from quick intros to full specialisations.
It’s based on 40+ courses I’ve taken over the last three years, and it maps out a smart route depending on how much time you’ve got and which AI tools you're using. Includes new government-funded options too – worth a look if you want to stay ahead.

The AI You Don’t See Is Already Changing Everything
A global study of more than 32,000 workers from 47 countries has found 58% are using AI at work, with one in three using it weekly or daily. And nearly twice as many are using AI tools they’ve chosen, than one provided by their organisation
Is this a threat, or an opportunity?

Why most AI training programs don’t work (and what to do instead)
Most AI training looks great on paper – until you try to use it.
Teams are being shown the Mona Lisa without ever learning how to hold the pencil.
If we want real impact, we need less theory and more hands-on support that links AI to actual business problems

From employees to agents: how AI is quietly reshaping your organisation

AI in the real world: two new OpenAI guides worth a read
OpenAI recently released two practical guides for organisations using (or thinking about using) AI: one on identifying and scaling use cases, and another on getting AI into enterprise settings. They're both full of real-world lessons, and some of the advice really resonated with me.

Smoothing the Path to AI Adoption: Recommendations for Leaders
Embracing AI is a journey of cultural and organisational transformation. Here’s seven practical strategies for business leaders to make that journey smoother and more effective:

Risk Appetite: Australian vs. US Companies
Culture around risk and innovation varies not just by industry, but by geography as well. A particularly striking comparison is between Australian companies and their U.S. counterparts. Australian business leaders are often characterised (even by themselves) as more risk-averse and cautious in embracing change, whereas Silicon Valley lore celebrates “fail fast, fail often” as a path to success. These differences in risk appetite can significantly influence AI adoption on either side of the Pacific.

When Tech Moves Faster Than Culture: Bridging the Gap
One of the biggest challenges in organisational change today is the mismatch between how fast technology evolves and how fast organisations adapt. We’re living in an age of exponential tech advances – generative AI being a prime example – but organisations (and humans in general) adapt on a more linear, incremental curve. As New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman observed, our ability to adapt has been surpassed by the rate of technological change. In other words, the tech curve is shooting up like a rocket, while the human organisational curve lags behind. This gap can leave companies perpetually playing catch-up, and it’s a dangerous place to be.

Driving Change: The Human Side of AI Adoption
No matter the industry, one universal truth remains: AI adoption is as much about managing change with people as it is about deploying technology. A shiny new AI tool won’t deliver value if employees don’t use it, or worse, actively resist it. That’s where change management comes in.

How different sectors approach AI adoption
How four organisational archetypes – public sector agencies, regulated traditional companies, unregulated traditional companies, and digital-native businesses – each approach AI adoption through the lens of their culture and risk posture.
Public Sector: Cautious but Transforming
Traditional Regulated Companies: Innovation Under Compliance
Traditional Unregulated Companies: Breaking Out of Legacy Mindsets
Digital-Native Businesses: Innovating by Default

Culture Eats Compliance: How Organisational Change Drives AI Adoption
Adopting artificial intelligence is no longer optional – it’s a business imperative. Yet not all organisations embrace AI at the same pace or in the same way. A nimble tech startup and a government agency operate under very different norms, not because laws force their hand, but because of culture, risk appetite, and approach to change. In fact, even the most advanced AI technology will fall flat if an organisation’s culture isn’t on board.