Why do AI adoption initiatives fail despite good technology?
Quick Answer: Organizations spend 70% on technology but 70% of AI challenges stem from people and process issues. The missing ingredient is psychological safety—addressing fear before training. Teams that optimize for all four archetypes (not just early adopters) increase adoption from 12% to 67%.
- Investment mismatch: 70% on tech, 10% on people, but people cause 70% of issues
- Optimization error: Leaders optimize for 10-20% early adopters, losing the 80%
- Psychological safety is prerequisite—fear prevents creativity needed for adoption
- Pair team archetypes strategically: Early Adopter + Sceptic, Fast Follower + Guardian
A Sydney design team increased AI adoption from 12% to 67% in 4 months by addressing fear before training. They used the Four Team Archetypes model: pairing Early Adopters with Sceptics for "Innovation Built for Safety" and Fast Followers with Guardians for "Change That Lasts."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four AI adoption team archetypes?
Early Adopters (5-10%) scout possibilities, Fast Followers (20-30%) bridge theory to practice, Sceptics (30-40%) identify risks, and Guardians (20-30%) preserve institutional knowledge.
How long does the AI adoption implementation take?
The 4-phase model (Discovery → Translation → Stress-Testing → Implementation) takes 6-8 weeks when all archetypes are engaged.