In this conversation, AI leaders Beth White and Vince Freeman break down what is actually happening inside companies as they attempt to adopt AI. They explore why so many pilots fall short, how individual employees are often ahead of organizational strategies, and why success depends less on tools and more on mindset, literacy, and culture.

They share practical insights on building AI strategy with purpose, including who should be involved, how to identify the right problems to automate, and why HR plays a critical role in workforce transformation. The discussion highlights the importance of empowering people, creating trust, and moving beyond traditional cost metrics to understand where AI creates the most value.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitebeth/

Connect with Vince on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-freeman-55ba152/

Join the PFN Community!

Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube!

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Most AI pilots fail because companies jump in without clear goals or realistic timelines.
• Smaller, focused use cases with the right tools lead to faster wins.
• Real impact is in operational efficiency, not just sales or revenue.
• Adoption improves when employees trust the process and see how AI helps their role.
• Success should measure productivity, agility, and growth, not just cost savings.