AI & Diffusions of Innovation

Is effective AI literacy and ethical adoption just about installing all the latest AI apps on every employee's computer?

Of course not.

You need a more thoughtful, human-focused integration strategy.

Enter Everett Rogers' 'Diffusion of Innovation theory as a framework to support and enhance AI adoption at the ground level.

This theory posits that new ideas, behaviours, and technologies ripple through an organization or sector gradually rather than all at once. It starts with innovators and early adopters, then cascades to the early and late majority, with laggards eventually catching up.

For visionary leaders, the key is to identify (or better yet, ⭐ BE⭐) the pivotal adopters of Generative AI in your organization.

Ask yourself, "Who are the ones already tinkering with AI or exhibiting a curious mind coupled with leadership potential?"

These are your early adopters.

They're not just using AI; they're the trendsetters sharing their AI experiences at work, setting a new normal for others, much like social media influencers promoting Stanley Cups, but on a more localized scale.

The real magic happens when these trailblazers are empowered and given the freedom to experiment and integrate AI organically into their daily workflows. They're not just users; they're pathfinders paving the way for your team.

But remember, AI adoption isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario. It's a spectrum. Acknowledging that different teams and individuals will embrace AI at varied paces is vital.

Think about your organization. Who are your early adopters? How can you empower them to lead the charge in AI integration?

UPDATE: Ideally, a participatory literacy process and ethical discussions prior to the organizational adoption of AI should be the gold standard. I wonder if that's what's happening in reality right now. AI is evolving so quickly, and I think many organizations are struggling to stay on top of literacy programs. Trying to cover everything in a literacy program for everyone at every level can be a real challenge, especially for smaller teams with tighter budgets. Also, I think about how often people come and go in a workplace. You'd have to keep training and retraining, which can be its own challenge. So, while it's definitely essential to aim for an ideal, linear literacy and adoption process focused on ethics, we might need to acknowledge that blending the 'Diffusion of Innovations' theory with ongoing learning and discussions about ethics might be necessary in some cases.