leadership and empowerment determine success – kudupinter World News Network

Recent studies indicate that the race to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of business and revealing a paradox: while technology advances at a rapid pace, organizations still face challenges in consistently applying AI in problem-solving and decision-making.

As shown in the report The GenAI divide: state of AI in businesses 2025published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “95% of enterprise AI initiatives fail to generate direct impact on revenue“. The study reveals that the biggest obstacle is the lack of knowledge and preparation on how to apply AI consistently and integrate it into daily business life.

HAS Carlos Felipe Cardoso (CFC)co-founder and CEO of Nower, a consultancy specializing in results management and organizational transformation, “the biggest transformation brought about by AI in businesses will not be technological, but rather in the ability to solve real-world problems and turn hypotheses into testable solutions”.

According to Carlos, companies continue to invest heavily in technology in order to increase the efficiency and digitalization of part of the work chain. “But they are overlooking something essential: the need to train people who can use AI to generate real value for the business.”

In terms of Luis Fernando Orleans — AI specialist, researcher, computer science doctor and data science leader at startups in the United States — one of the biggest mistakes companies make today is believing that AI results will only come through the implementation of tools. “There is enormous pressure to quickly adopt AI, but little attention is paid to preparing the people who will use this technology. Training ends up appearing as a side effect of urgency, when it should be the starting point,” explains Luis.

For him, training the team not only reduces risks, but also reveals knowledge gaps that can be filled before they become obstacles. “Investing in people development is one of the greatest benefits for the future of the company. Well-trained teams make better decisions, understand limitations and possibilities and develop more sustainable solutions for the company.”

The Role of Leadership in Transformation with AI

For Carlos, the focal point of digital transformation and AI adoption is the role of leadership. “Technology is accelerating, but it’s leadership that sets the direction. If leadership isn’t clear on what opportunities need to be developed, AI can optimize processes that perhaps shouldn’t even exist.”

Carlos emphasizes that the transition to AI-based work models requires data and psychological security, as well as autonomy and trust.

“Leading in the age of AI is about leading people through uncertainty. The leader must be able to lead and create the conditions for the team to experiment, learn quickly, and make evidence-based decisions. Without this, AI becomes just another project that didn’t produce what was expected,” he says.

Report data BCG Build for the Future 2025 Global Studywho analyzed more than 1,250 companies around the world, show that only 5% of organizations are capable of generating significant value through artificial intelligence. The study also highlights that around 60% of them are still behind in developing critical AI capabilities.

To avoid these mistakes, Carlos recommends businesses take a practical, scalable approach, starting with pilot projects that solve real-world problems and generate internal learning.

“We still see AI initiatives driven more by hype than strategy, the promise of the holy grail of effectiveness. Without a good strategic vision and prepared teams, the cost and complexity become untenable,” analyzes Carlos.

The gap between technology and organizational culture

Recent studies, such as the report Superagency in the workplaceemphasize that organizations that enable your teams to work side by side with AI, double the chances of generating business value. The same study reveals that the lack of structured training and people development programs is currently one of the biggest barriers to successful technology implementation.

Rodrigo of Toledo, co-founder and trainer at Nower and K21, emphasizes that “AI is an extension of human capacity. When applied well, it encourages people to think critically, make strategic decisions and innovate.” He emphasizes, however, that these effects only appear when the organizational culture values continuous learning and experimentation.

The future of organizations

For Carlos Felippe Cardoso, Rodrigo de Toledo and Luis Fernando Orleans, the challenge of adopting AI in organizations is not only technical, but involves the ability to learn, mature and cope with the new emerging standards brought by technology.

Luis recommends that leaders train leaders and teams to make more informed decisions and reduce risk. “Creating prototypes with AI is easier, but scaling solutions requires technical preparation, clear goals and careful cost assessment. Individuals and businesses must be ready to use AI wisely,” he says.

Toledo believes that the organizations that benefit the most from AI are those that understand that technology does not replace human talent, but expands it exponentially. “When people are ready to use AI strategically, the impact goes beyond efficiency: they begin to generate new solutions, new businesses and new ways of working.”

Carlos concludes by recommending that, before investing in new positions, projects or suppliers, leaders ask themselves about the business impact they want to generate and how technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, can increase this result, thereby reducing the need to scale the operation. “Technology must serve strategy, not the other way around.”