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CIO &  Transformation

AI Adoption and Change in the C Suite: A Strategic Service Approach

  • Writer: Richard Keenlyside
    Richard Keenlyside
  • Sep 24
  • 3 min read

TL;DR

AI adoption is no longer optional for the C Suite. Executives must champion digital transformation, embed change management into strategy, and align AI with long-term business goals. This article examines the challenges, opportunities, and frameworks that leaders should utilise to integrate AI successfully across the enterprise.


Silhouettes of business people in a meeting. "AI Adoption and Change in the C Suite" and "Change Management" text. Graph and brain icons.

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shifted from experimental pilots to a strategic necessity at board level. Across industries, C Suite leaders are under pressure to harness AI to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams.

In my experience as a Global CIO and Transformation Director, I have seen how AI adoption requires more than technical deployment — it demands cultural, organisational, and leadership change. That is why I have outlined a service-driven approach for executives at AI Adoption and Change in the C Suite .


Why AI Adoption Matters for the C Suite

Executives cannot delegate AI entirely to IT teams. Successful adoption requires strategic oversight at the highest level.

Key Drivers:

  • Competitive Pressure – Organisations leveraging AI for automation, decision support, and customer engagement are outperforming peers.

  • Operational Efficiency – AI can deliver measurable ROI in months, reducing costs and improving productivity.

  • Innovation Opportunity – C Suite leaders can position AI as a platform for new services, products, and markets.


At RichardKeenlysideCIO.com, I stress that this is not a technology issue but a strategic leadership imperative.


The Change Management Imperative

AI adoption will fail without effective change management. Executives must lead with clarity, transparency, and a human-centric approach.


Common Challenges:

  1. Employee Resistance – Fear of job displacement and mistrust in AI decision-making.

  2. Cultural Misalignment – Legacy corporate cultures that resist innovation.

  3. Unrealistic Expectations – Overestimating short-term AI gains while underestimating integration complexity.


Solution Framework: Kotter’s 8-Step Model

To embed AI successfully, the C Suite can apply Kotter’s framework:

  1. Create urgency – highlight competitive threats.

  2. Build a guiding coalition – cross-functional executive leadership.

  3. Form a strategic vision – align AI with business goals.

  4. Communicate the vision – consistent messaging across all levels.

  5. Empower broad-based action – reduce barriers to AI integration.

  6. Generate short-term wins – pilot projects with measurable ROI.

  7. Consolidate gains – scale AI adoption across functions.

  8. Anchor AI in culture – integrate AI into long-term corporate strategy.


AI and Digital Transformation Strategy

Embedding AI into a broader digital transformation strategy ensures alignment with corporate goals.

Service-led CIO Support:

At AI Adoption and Change in the C Suite, I advise organisations through:

  • Strategic IT leadership – aligning AI investment with measurable business value.

  • Governance frameworks – ensuring AI ethics, compliance, and security.

  • Operational integration – embedding AI in finance, HR, supply chain, and customer engagement.


This approach delivers sustainable outcomes — not just technology upgrades.

Case Study Insights

Across industries, AI adoption has delivered:

  • £2M+ cost reductions through process optimisation.

  • 40% productivity gains by augmenting human workforces.

  • 18-month ROI for enterprises embedding AI into digital transformation.

These measurable results underline why the C Suite must lead adoption.


FAQs

Q: Why is AI adoption a C Suite issue, not just IT’s responsibility?

A: Because AI impacts strategy, governance, and corporate culture, it requires executive ownership at the board level.

Q: What is the biggest risk in AI adoption?

A: Failure to manage change effectively — employee resistance and cultural misalignment often derail projects.

Q: How can executives measure AI ROI?

A: By tracking cost reductions, productivity gains, customer satisfaction improvements, and time to market.

Q: What role does the CIO play in AI adoption?

A: The CIO bridges technology strategy with corporate vision, ensuring AI is integrated, governed, and scaled effectively.


Conclusion

AI adoption in the C Suite is about leadership, not technology. Executives must drive change management, embed AI into digital transformation strategy, and measure results against long-term business outcomes.

To explore how structured leadership services can guide AI adoption, visit AI Adoption and Change in the C Suite.


Richard Keenlyside is a Global CIO, PE&MA Advisor, Endava TAC and a former IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC. Call me on +44(0) 1642 040 268 or email richard@rjk.info.


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