Cultural Readiness for AI adoption
Most business leaders know that Artificial Intelligence will disrupt their business now or in the near future. Not many are sure how or have given thought to the culture required to adopt and drive AI successfully. A culture of strong leadership, resilience and collaboration is essential to success when dealing with change and uncertainty, let alone the greatest seismic shift of our time, Artificial Intelligence.
Karl Treacher is CEO of The Culture Institute Group. He has over 25 years of global experience delivering strategic advice to tier-one brands, boards and business leaders, specialising in organisational reputation, brand, culture and experience alignment.
With a background in science, marketing, culture and leadership, Karl is also the perfect curator of the first and upcoming AI-Culture Summit. A dynamic gathering of thought-leaders and experts at the intersection of AI and corporate culture.
Join Dr Ben Palmer, CEO Genos International and Marie El Daghl, MD Chasing Albert, for a precursor of the AI-Culture Summit and invaluable insights from Karl into the relationship between AI and organisational culture.
In this episode of EI at Work:
[00:01:21] Discussion on the awareness and understanding of AI, its implications, and the impact of becoming aware of AI.
[00:02:25] Exploration of chatgpt, Microsoft’s interpretation of AI, and its broader applications beyond communication and marketing.
[00:06:33] Exploration of people’s feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and job security concerns related to AI, as well as the need for a narrative that calms the waters and provides clarity.
[00:08:58] Discussion on the need for organizations to prioritize risk mitigation and establish safeguards and guidelines for AI tools.
[00:10:04] Exploration of the role of collaboration and an entrepreneurial culture in effectively integrating and adopting AI in organizations.
[00:11:17] Importance of leaders establishing psychological safety and trust, addressing job security concerns, and handling workforce changes with care and empathy.
[00:18:55] Discussion on the impact of culture on AI implementation, employee engagement, and the importance of trust in building a positive culture.
[00:19:56] Concerns about some employees having access to AI tools while others don’t, and the implications for trust and fairness within organizations.
[00:20:16] Exploration of the challenges organizations face in understanding and implementing AI, including the need for planning, communication, and benchmarking cultural health.
[00:28:36] Discussion on the increasing value of emotional intelligence in the digital age and the connection to AI.
[00:30:00] Exploration of the changing role of leaders and the importance of empathy and cultural leadership in the future.
[00:33:20] Consideration of the positive and negative environmental effects of AI, including energy consumption and resource management.
About Karl Treacher, CEO, The Culture Institute Group
Karl Treacher is the CEO of The Culture Institute Group, which comprises The Brand Institute, HEDx, and The Culture Institute of Australia. With over 25 years of experience working in 12 countries, Karl is dedicated to building brands, culture, and relationships. He specializes in providing strategic advice to tier-one brands, boards, and business leaders, with a focus on organizational reputation, brand, culture, and experience alignment.
Throughout his career, Karl has been involved in several notable projects, including working in Hollywood with Arnold Schwarzenegger, collaborating with former Premier Mike Baird, and supporting several Australians of the Year. He has played a significant role in transforming some of Australia’s iconic companies, such as the rebrand of the ACCC, MYOB, and the repositioning of Realestate.com.au. To ensure effective strategy implementation, Karl has been seconded into various leadership teams, including his role as an Executive Director at NAB in 2019. He has also led the strategic development of customer experience for prominent organizations like Bupa, APRA, NAB, REA Group, and RACQ.
Karl’s keen interest in the relationship between brand, reputation, and culture has resulted in the publication of 60 articles, and he has been invited to speak at prestigious events like TEDx and The Committee for Economic Development in Australia (CEDA). To further contribute to the field of corporate AI readiness and governance, Karl has engaged in study and involvement with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Griffith Business School, and Oxford University.
His diverse background in science, marketing, culture, and leadership has enabled Karl to effectively support the performance of numerous iconic Australian organizations. Additionally, his academic and professional pursuits related to brand and culture have led to the design and development of several industry-leading organizational diagnostic tools.
Before focusing on his professional career, Karl Treacher was deeply committed to high-performance sports, competing at an international level in two sports. However, he eventually transitioned into pursuits like surfing, cycling, and family life, sharing these experiences with his wife, daughter, and their rescue dogs, Louie and Bernard.