The Human Intelligence Advantage

Before you ask people to use AI, can you explain what your organisation wants to achieve with it? And just as importantly, what you won’t use it for?

In the first episode of The Human Intelligence Advantage, Fiona Wilhelm takes the interview seat to explore why successful AI adoption starts with a clear point of view. Drawing on her experience at PwC, KPMG and in client organisations, she discusses how storytelling helps people understand where the business is heading, why it matters and where they fit.

The conversation explores why strategy gets stuck in the ‘frozen middle’, where a leadership vision meets existing targets, established habits and uncertainty about who has permission to change things. Fiona shares practical approaches to building momentum, from colleagues demonstrating useful work to leaders openly addressing the questions employees are already asking.

For leaders deciding where to invest next, this episode offers a starting point: understand how work gets done, involve the people who know it best and give them the support to work differently.

- Having a point of view on AI: explaining what your organisation will and won’t do, in line with its values.

- Storytelling that creates alignment: helping people understand the direction and see their role in making it happen.

- Unfreezing the middle: addressing the targets, responsibilities and permissions that can keep teams working the old way.

- Moving from launch to everyday use: lessons from KPMG’s KymChat rollout, learning through doing and sharing practical examples.

- Looking beyond automation: questioning whether processes are needed and exploring how human expertise could create new services and revenue.

- AI in Action | The website shared in the conversation for events and further information.

- KPMG’s KymChat Launch | Background on the secure AI tool discussed in the episode.

- PwC’s BXT Approach | Further reading on bringing business, experience and technology together.

Fiona Wilhelm is an AI strategist, speaker and Director of Wilhelm Group, and the regular host of The Human Intelligence Advantage.

In this opening episode, Fiona takes the guest seat as John James interviews her about the thinking behind the podcast. Drawing on her experience at PwC, KPMG and with client organisations, she explores how leadership, storytelling and human expertise shape the value organisations get from AI.

Connect with Fiona:

- Website: https://www.fionawilhelm.com/

- LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/fiona-wilhelm-22500522

John James | Guest host for Episode 1

John James hosts this opening conversation with Fiona Wilhelm, exploring why AI strategies stall and what helps organisations move from ambition to everyday action. Together, they discuss leadership alignment, permission to change and the role of human judgement as technology becomes more capable.

Follow The Human Intelligence Advantage for conversations about how leaders can turn AI investment into practical business value and bring their people with them.

If this episode raises a question your leadership team needs to discuss, share it with them. To enquire about executive advice, alignment workshops or AI adoption programmes, get in touch with Fiona.

Website: https://www.fionawilhelm.com/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/fiona-wilhelm-22500522

Recorded and produced at The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane.