AI has officially arrived in the business world. And let’s be honest: most companies are still treating it like cupcakes in the breakroom (should they indulge? Maybe just one?).

But faster than the cupcakes disappear, your team starts using ChatGPT to draft emails. Someone else tries Perplexity for research. Your ops manager finds a tool that auto-generates reports. It feels like you’re innovating… until one day you realize you’ve got half a dozen disconnected tools, no clear outcomes, and zero alignment across your team, or worse, your team is sending out misinformation.

That’s the danger of implementing AI without a strategy.

So, what does AI strategy really mean? And how do you make sure your efforts actually move the needle, instead of just adding more

AI is transforming the business landscape at a breakneck pace, yet many mid-size company CEOs remain on the fence about its adoption. While tech giants race ahead, mid-market firms often struggle with AI hesitancy—fearing the unknown, worrying about costs, or simply not knowing where to start.

But here’s the reality: AI isn’t just for Fortune 500 companies with massive R&D budgets. It’s a tool that can help mid-size firms scale smarter, compete more effectively, and unlock efficiencies that weren’t possible before. The challenge isn’t whether AI is relevant to your business (it is). The challenge is shifting your mindset from skepticism to advocacy—because the sooner you embrace AI, the sooner you’ll reap its benefits.

If you’ve been hesitant to take

As a CEO of a mid-market company, you’re constantly balancing the demands of scaling your business, leading your team, and staying ahead of the competition. The pressure is real—and the landscape is shifting faster than ever thanks to AI. 

The fact is: AI is an essential tool for leaders like you to make smarter decisions, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth. And, with many leaders scrambling to catch up, adopting AI in your business–intelligently and quickly–can become a competitive advantage.

The question isn’t if you should integrate AI into your leadership strategy—it’s how you can do it effectively to gain a competitive edge.

Forget the sci-fi version of AI taking over the boardroom. In reality,