AI in the Enterprise: Beyond the Hype

Over the past year, I've watched organisations swing between two extremes. Some are paralysed by the noise—waiting for the "perfect" AI strategy before moving. Others are throwing money at every shiny tool, hoping something sticks. Neither approach works.

The companies getting real traction? They're starting small, testing ruthlessly, and hiring for outcomes—not job titles.

Where AI Is Actually Working

The wins I'm seeing in enterprise aren't headline-grabbing. They're unglamorous:

• Customer service automation that reduces response times from hours to minutes
• Document processing that frees teams from manual data entry
• Sales intelligence tools that help reps prioritise leads
• Content generation for repetitive internal communications

None of this is sexy. All of it moves the needle on productivity and cost.

The Skills Crisis Is Real

Here's where it gets interesting: companies have the tools. What they don't have is the people who know how to use them effectively.

I'm recruiting for roles that didn't exist two years ago—AI Operations Manager, Prompt Engineer, AI Ethics Lead. The demand for AI expertise continues to grow, but the supply simply isn't there.

Companies are desperate to find people who can bridge the gap between technical AI capability and business outcomes. If you're looking to upskill or pivot, explore current job opportunities and career resources. Universities aren't producing skilled professionals fast enough, and existing teams are stretched thin trying to upskill while delivering current projects.

Displacement vs. Transformation

The real conversation isn't "Will AI take my job?" It's "What skills do I need to stay relevant?"

Jobs aren't disappearing. They're evolving. The accountant becomes an AI auditor. The recruiter becomes a relationship strategist supported by AI matching. The marketer becomes a prompt architect and data interpreter.

Companies that invest in upskilling now are retaining talent. Those that don't? They're losing people to organisations that offer growth. Learn more about how AI is reshaping job descriptions.

Companies need two things:

1. People who understand AI enough to govern it – Risk, Compliance, and Strategy roles
2. People who can execute with AI – Roles that require AI-fluency

The second category is much larger—and much harder to fill. Many organisations are turning to fractional AI leadership models as interim solutions while building permanent capability.

What's Next

The companies winning in 2026 aren't obsessing over ChatGPT. They're asking: "What's our actual business problem? Which AI tool solves it? Who do we need to hire?"

For employers, explore our top AI talent pool and employer resources. For job seekers, upload your CV and explore positions.

That's not hype. That's how transformation actually happens.

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