.svg.png)
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a business imperative. But despite the current push to implement AI as an integral part of doing business, nearly 70% of AI projects fail*. That’s a costly statistic in both time and budget, especially as AI investments continue to surge.
At Oxford Global Resources, we work with leaders and decision-makers of companies across industries who are excited about AI’s potential but unsure where—or how—to start. That’s why we hosted our recent webinar, “The Key to Unlocking AI Success: Strategy, Readiness & Real-World ROI,” led by our AI Practice Director, Alie Doorster, alongside Stefan Feldmeier, VP and AI Practice Leader.
With global AI investment projected to hit $750 billion globally this year and forecast to reach nearly $3.7 trillion by 2034, organizations are under pressure to keep up. But speed alone isn’t the answer. Success hinges on strategic readiness, clear use cases, and the right infrastructure to scale.
In this session, we unpacked the foundational steps every organization must take to move beyond pilot projects and into scalable success. If you missed the live event or just want a quick refresher, here’s a recap of key insights and how to avoid becoming part of the 70%.
1. Strategy First. Tools Later.
Many organizations begin their AI journey by experimenting with platforms or technologies before fully defining their goals, but this often leads to fragmented efforts that don’t scale.
The right approach?
Start with your business objectives, then align AI use cases to those objectives. Only after that should you evaluate tools and platforms. Organizations that clearly define outcomes before implementing AI see higher ROI and are better positioned to scale solutions.
2. Build the Right Foundations
AI is only as strong as the foundation it rests on. Before deploying models or automation, you need to assess:
- Infrastructure: Can your systems handle the demands of AI?
- Data: Is your data clean, accessible, and unified across the business?
- Governance: Are privacy, ethics, and compliance considerations built in?
- People: Do you have the right internal expertise—and partners—to execute?
This stage can make or break your AI readiness. Oxford helps clients assess their AI readiness through practical frameworks that identify gaps in people, processes, and platforms before major investments are made.
3. Know Where You Are and Where You’re Going
Oxford’s AI Maturity Model helps organizations pinpoint their current capabilities and determine next steps. Whether you’re in early-stage exploration or preparing to scale enterprise-wide, understanding your AI maturity helps you invest resources more wisely and avoid common pitfalls.
4. Prioritize the Right Use Cases
The most successful companies don’t try to “AI everything.” They focus on the highest-impact opportunities—ones that align to strategic goals, deliver strong ROI, and are technically feasible. In one engagement, a global client identified over 100 possible use cases. Our AI consultant helped them narrow that list to the five with the highest potential, projected to deliver over $30 million in annual ROI.
5. Don’t Underestimate Adoption
You can build the most accurate model in the world but if no one uses it, it won’t move the needle. This is where many AI initiatives stall: user trust, understanding, and comfort with the technology. That’s why we integrate Organizational Change Management (OCM) into our AI programs. By addressing change holistically, from leadership buy-in to end-user enablement, we ensure your people are ready to adopt and sustain AI over the long term.
Why Work with Oxford?
AI success doesn’t come from technology alone. Instead, it comes from combining the right strategy, structure, and support.
At Oxford, we offer:
-
- Expert AI consultants who bring both technical knowledge and business acumen
- Platform-agnostic guidance tailored to your goals, not tool preferences
- Flexible engagement models, from advisory support to full project delivery
- Over 40 years of experience helping companies scale innovation with confidence
Let’s talk about your AI journey
Whether you’re looking to validate a use case, assess your readiness, or scale an existing initiative, our AI consultants are here to help.
AI is transforming the way we work, but only when it’s done with purpose, clarity, and alignment. Let’s move beyond the hype and build AI solutions that deliver real, lasting impact.
*MIT
