The Illusion of Promise
Since 2023, generative AI has created an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm. Companies are rushing in, POCs are multiplying, executive leadership demands "their AI project." But reality is more sobering: according to several studies, only 10% of AI initiatives move beyond the proof-of-concept stage. Not due to lack of technology, but poor alignment between vision, data, and execution.
We often confuse technological innovation with operational transformation. Putting a language model behind a chatbot isn't strategic AI; it's an experiment. AI only creates value when integrated into a workflow, transforming a decision, cost, or time.
Technological innovation is not operational transformation.
Three Roots of Failure
The "Eternal POC" Syndrome
The project starts fast, impresses in early demos... then stalls. Why? Because no business metrics were set from the start. The technical team seeks model perfection rather than value validation.
Solution
Solution: establish a simple business metric from day one—time reduction, productivity gain, satisfaction improvement, etc.
Unusable Data
AI relies on data, but 80% of project time is consumed cleaning, normalizing, structuring it. Many companies discover too late that their data isn't ready: siloed, unlabeled, sometimes even unusable due to GDPR.
Solution
Solution: invest in governance before the model. Without a reliable pipeline, there will never be stable production.
The Forgotten Human Factor
AI disrupts roles, habits, landmarks. But how many teams are prepared to collaborate with a model? The best algorithm will fail if not adopted.
Solution
Solution: support, explain, give meaning. Train before deploying.
Ingredients of the 10% Success Stories
Successful projects share three commonalities:
Clear vision
AI addresses an identified business objective
Progressive approach
quick test, learning, scaling up
Planned industrialization
MLOps, monitoring, continuous feedback
These are also projects where CIO and business units work hand in hand, with light but rigorous governance. Success rarely comes from an "AI big bang," but from a series of modest, aligned, well-measured wins.
The Key: Technological Humility
AI isn't magic. It's a lever, not an end. Organizations that adopt it with humility and pragmatism gain real benefits. Those who see it as a trophy or PR stunt inevitably hit reality.
At Ti Ael Mat, we help companies put people and purpose back at the heart of transformation. Because before being artificial, intelligence must be aligned.
The most effective AI is the one you actually use.
Ready to avoid the pitfalls and build an AI project that succeeds? Contact us to discuss your strategy.