Change Management and AI Adoption Go Hand in Hand

Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects are not just about data and models, but rather about people. Even the most advanced solution will fail if teams are not ready to use it, trust it, or adapt their ways of working. That is where change management comes in…

AI can shift how decisions are made, automate tasks, or even change entire job roles. For employees, this can create fear, confusion, or resistance, especially if they feel left out of the process.

As such, it is mandatory to help teams understand what is changing, why it matters, and how it affects them. Middle managers should also be prepared with clear talking points, resources, and support so they can lead confidently and reinforce the change in their teams.

Since AI adoption often requires new skills, from basic digital literacy to understanding how to interpret AI outputs, change management should include training plans that are practical, role-specific, and aligned with everyday tasks.

Including employees in workshops, user testing, feedback sessions, or pilot phases makes the transition more collaborative and effective. It also improves the final solution by capturing real-world needs and concerns early on.

It is a good idea to recognise early successes and use them as proof points to maintain high momentum. Also, be transparent about what is not working. Normalising experimentation and iteration helps build a culture that is ready for AI’s learning curve.

Finally, do not forget to measure user engagement, satisfaction, and behaviour change. It is equally important to make adjustments based on the team’s feedback.

There are people-first frameworks that can help guide organisations through the process. One of the most widely used models is the ADKAR model, which focuses on building Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement (in a step-by-step approach).

If you’re navigating AI adoption challenges or want to build a solid change management plan, passio consulting can help. Feel free to reach out!

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by Margarida Pereira

@ Passio Consulting