AI - The elephant in the boardroom

AI without a strategy is a risk, not an accelerator.

Why you need to start with AI now - but do it smartly.

While three out of four CEOs of major Dutch companies expect AI to automate 20% to 40% of work within two years (FD, June 2025), strategic decisions often get stuck in the pilot phase.

The rise of so-called "agentic AI" – systems that independently make decisions and perform actions – is raising the stakes. This is no longer a matter of 'experimenting with a little tool'. It demands vision, direction, and courage.

Turn AI into a flywheel of success!

Right now, the complexity of AI systems is still manageable for many organizations, which is why this is the right moment to get on board. The development of AI is moving at lightning speed; starting later means facing higher complexity and greater risk.

As Reid Blackman describes in Harvard Business Review, the use of AI, especially generative and agentic AI, brings an avalanche of new risks: from IP infringements and bias to system failures and ethical blunders. Many companies are often completely unprepared for this. Typically, no evaluation frameworks are in place to determine if systems are even ready for rollout, let alone an infrastructure for real-time monitoring.

Starting with the right foundational principles that mitigate these risks is therefore essential.

The time for waiting is over.

AI is no longer a hype, but a reality.

Companies that invest now in a solid data strategy and ensure accountability are building future-proof growth. It's high time to look the elephant in the boardroom straight in the eye – and to make a smart plan for it.

From thinking to doing – Start with value-based thinking

Many organizations ask the question: "Where on earth should I start? There's so much we can do... and so much we have to do." That sense of obligation often leads to procrastination. That's why it's better to start with value-based thinking:

1. Start with your ambition. What do you truly want to achieve with AI? Faster processes, a better customer experience, a smaller footprint?

2. Work backward from value. Choose a focus area that directly contributes to that ambition.

3. Map the most important processes. Where are the bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or risks?

4. Start a pilot. Focus an AI solution on that specific bottleneck, learn, scale – and refine your strategy along the way.

This approach gives your team the space to learn, strengthen governance, and realize real value simultaneously. It's not a linear plan, but a learning cycle: ambition → pilot → strategy updates → scaling.

Of course, as Beyonder, we can help you identify that first valuable user case!

Sources:

• Sandra Olsthoorn, Het Financieele Dagblad, June 15, 2025

• Reid Blackman, Harvard Business Review, June 13, 2025