AI-First is NOT a strategy!
“Amid the growing enthusiasm, many see AI as an integral part of their future. [..] But an unquestioning belief in the power of AI to radically transform business is risky. [..] When companies lead with AI or treat it as the answer, they put the cart before the horse and risk compromising their company’s strategy and the value it provides to the marketplace.”
To “put the horse before the cart”, you need a business strategy for AI:
“But when companies take the opposite approach, starting with strategy, identifying how they can offer buyers a leap in value, and then looking to technology as a tool to deliver that leap, AI can be a powerful catalyst to profit, growth, and commercial opportunities.”
Doing everything instead of doing the right thing—won’t help your company move forward either:
“As AI agents pull back the curtain on whose strategy is and isn’t delivering exceptional value, they magnify the importance of getting the strategy-value-AI sequence right.”
Instead of AI-First follow the Think-First approach and answer the following questions:
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❓ Are we jumping on the AI bandwagon out of fear of missing out or to deliver an objective leap in value?
❓ Are we adopting AI in hopes of staying relevant, assuming it will deliver new growth without fully considering whether and how it aligns with and supports our company’s strategy and value proposition?
❓ Are we conflating AI’s technological innovation with real value and will customers be convinced of the value it delivers?
❓ Is AI helping us build a viable, sustainable business model aligned with our strategy, or will its impact on our value proposition risk undermining our profitability?”
To build a better business with AI, we developed the Data & AI Business Design method. Leave a comment if you’re not familiar with the method yet and want to know more! 👇
This week’s Good Read is an absolute Must-Read:
👉 https://hbr.org/2025/09/make-sure-your-ai-strategy-actually-creates-value
