You thought you had time to figure out AI. You were going to “wait and see.” Maybe tackle it next quarter.
Then your Head of Sales casually mentioned “everyone on my team is using ChatGPT for proposals.”
Employees started asking “can we use AI for this?” and nobody knew what to tell them.
You heard a competitor poached one of your clients because they are using AI to accelerate delivery.
And then someone showed you what they’ve been doing with AI: uploading customer data, analyzing confidential information, creating client deliverables.
You realized (with horror) that nobody asked permission. Nobody set up guardrails. Nobody even mentioned it until now.
This is the moment most CEOs discover they don’t have an AI usage problem, they have an AI governance problem.
The Timeline You Don’t Control
Business owners assume they get to choose when to adopt AI. They don’t.
AI tools are out there. They are free, easy to learn, and even easier to use. Your team probably didn’t even think they needed permission. Everyone is using AI, everyone is talking about AI, and AI is embedded in common apps, on their phones, software they are already using, search engines, everywhere.
The question isn’t “should we start using AI?” You already are.
The question is “how do we get intentional about the AI that’s already running wild in our organization?”
And here’s where most CEOs get stuck. They expect HR to write policies or IT to come up with technical controls.
But HR doesn’t know what’s safe to allow. IT doesn’t know which tools to approve or block.
They are looking to leadership for direction. And if you don’t have an answer, it leaves everyone paralyzed.
AI Strategy Starts with Intention
I work with companies at this exact inflection point. The moment they realize AI adoption is a foregone conclusion. AI strategy, AI governance, and AI management must be the focus.
You can’t ban it or ignore it. You can’t create 47-page acceptable use policies. You can’t buy enterprise AI licenses and turn it over to IT and HR to figure out.
You need to establish AI governance frameworks – and that is a leadership function.
- Clear frameworks that define what’s allowed, what’s prohibited, what requires approval
- Documented processes before automation—because you can’t automate chaos
- Proper tools with actual data protection, not just free consumer accounts
- Usage policies integrated into employee handbooks, not buried in SharePoint
- Training on how to use AI with governance, ethics, and guidance
This isn’t about becoming an AI expert. It’s about becoming competent enough as a leader to make good decisions about what’s valuable and what’s risky.
What “Intentional AI Adoption” Actually Looks Like
Companies that successfully adopt AI start with assessing where they are right now.
- Where is AI already being used? (hint: everywhere)
- Which use cases create value? Which ones create risk?
- What processes need documentation before automation?
- What frameworks need to be established so teams know what’s acceptable?
Once you have that knowledge, you can select the proper tools, create enforceable policies, and train teams on responsible usage.
This is what I call “AI with Intent”. It’s the opposite of AI sprawl, and it means using AI strategically so you can move fast without moving recklessly.
The Real Cost of Standing Still
Every day you wait, the gap widens. Competitors are moving faster. Your team is using ungoverned tools. The risks compound.
You’re not protecting yourself by waiting. You’re just falling behind while problems accumulate.
It’s time to take the first step towards getting intentional about your company’s AI usage. As a fractional Chief AI Officer, I help mid-size companies establish AI governance frameworks and adopt AI with intent. If your company has hit the “yikes, we need to deal with AI now” moment, let’s talk about what intentional AI adoption looks like for your business.
