The 90-Day Blueprint for AI Transformation With Charlene Li

AI transformation is stalling inside most organizations, not because of the technology, but because of leadership. Charlene Li, strategist and author of Winning with AI, shares why giving employees access to AI tools without training or protected practice time creates the illusion of progress while leaving most people behind. She introduces the concept of AI fluency, knowing how, when, and when not to use AI, and explains why becoming fluent requires the same deliberate practice as any real skill. Charlene walks through her portfolio approach to AI initiatives (quick wins, momentum makers, and strategic bets), her "Goldilocks governance" framework for moving fast without going rogue, and the five cultural traits that separate organizations that actually transform from those that just talk about it. For leaders navigating employee anxiety, resistant departments, and uneven adoption across teams, this episode offers an honest, practical framework for what AI transformation actually requires.