In this EDGE - Beyond The Stage 1:1, Brandon Powell explains why AI readiness is not just about tools or data, but about people, behavior, and organizational adoption. He argues that CEOs must lead AI implementation from the top while also creating bottom-up champions inside the company. Brandon also breaks down the biggest reasons AI projects fail today - from lack of alignment to “pilot purgatory” - and shares practical advice on governance, employee buy-in, and choosing use cases that actually drive ROI.

Takeaways:
* AI readiness is a “behavioral shift” - the real bottleneck is often people, not the technology.
* AI adoption works best when CEOs drive it from the top while champions push it from the bottom up.
* Many companies waste money in “pilot purgatory” instead of focusing on ROI and getting to production.