Most AI projects fail not due to tech, but lack of clarity. Learn why culture, mindset, and people are the key to AI readiness in 2026 and beyond.
To Our Community of Data Leaders and Learners,
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re entering an inflection point. The conversation around AI has shifted from “what tools should we buy?” to something deeper: what does AI mean for our people and our culture?
A recent MIT study reported that 95% of AI projects launched in the past few years have failed. Some of that is about technology. But much of it isn’t. It’s about not doing the pre-work, not identifying the right problems to solve, and not preparing people to adapt alongside the tools. Too often, leaders say, “We need an AI tool.” The better question is, “What challenge are we trying to address, and how can technology help us do it?”
That’s why I believe the greatest gap in AI readiness isn’t technical, it’s organizational clarity. Companies are eager to move fast, but they often lack a clear roadmap or shared language to bring people along. The technology may be the foundation, but it’s the people who make it work. And the most successful organizations are the ones that invest in building cultures where humans can focus on the things only humans can do.
So my advice? Slow down to speed up. Take the time now to understand where you are, what you need, and where you’re headed. That clarity allows you to accelerate with purpose, not just in 2026, but for years to come.
At Data Society, we help organizations connect mindset, culture, and skills, rolling up our sleeves to ask the right questions and partner on solutions. At The Data Lodge, our “information as a second language” framework level-sets leaders and teams, ensuring everyone shares the same foundation for transformation. And through CDO Magazine, we hear directly from data and AI leaders around the world about what’s working and where priorities need to shift.
Across all three, the common thread is people: their growth, their adaptation, and their capacity to make technology meaningful.
What excites me most is that the dialogue is changing. Leaders are no longer satisfied with chasing the next tool. They’re asking how to build sustainable systems, how to invest in their teams, and how to ensure AI readiness means more than skills, it means culture.
Take this with you into the week ahead: Slow down to speed up. Invest in your people, and you’ll be ready not just for what’s next, but for what comes after.
See you soon,
Check out Doug’s previous Friday Feature.
