Having a Structured Path to AI Adoption: A Leader's Perspective

By Stephen Hall, Chief Executive of Makaton

Finding the Right Balance of Structure

Does it matter if you have a structured pathway in the way, you adopt AI?

Well, actually, I'm not sure it matters entirely, but you do need some degree of structure to work around it. My organisation, which is a small to medium-sized UK charity with over 100,000 constituents, operates with a fairly flat organisational structure. With approximately 26 members of staff, we emphasise empowering our team and operate with a high degree of trust, while remaining risk aware.

Starting the AI Journey

For us, the big issue wasn't having a formal structure from the outset but rather having a mechanism to get people to start engaging with the challenge of AI. That said, you reach a point fairly quickly, even with a relatively unstructured approach to AI deployment, where you need to start developing frameworks and examining where governance—good governance—sits in the process.

How the Toolkit Supports Governance Development

The AI-CAE toolkit helps you to truly understand the different concepts you need to consider, the various elements and questions you need to work through, and the different questions that perhaps your governance team or trustees (if you're a charity like us) may need to prepare for your stakeholders. This comprehensive support helps us to really focus on the key priorities.

Focusing on Problems Worth Solving

For us, it's been about ensuring that everything we examine is focused on the problem we're trying to solve. That's the lens we need to focus on, because it's through this lens that you can ensure you're making a genuine impact. As we progress, we're retroactively applying some of the guidance from this module to consider what additional governance factors we need to put in place.

Defining Different Types of AI

We're using the toolkit to help define the different types of AI being used by our organisation, what the implications are for those different types of AI, and how we need to address those from governance and operational perspectives going forward. I find the toolkit incredibly helpful for getting your mind around this challenge. You are learning a whole new set of terminologies, and sometimes it can feel quite overwhelming.

Why I Recommend the AI-CAE Designation

The AI-CAE has been transformative for my approach to leadership in AI. As a leader of a small to medium-sized organisation without extensive technical resources, I needed practical guidance tailored to our context. Here's why I recommend the AI-CAE designation to fellow association and membership body leaders:

1.        Balancing Structure with FlexibilityThe programme provides a framework that offers sufficient structure without being overly rigid. It recognises that different organisations will be at different stages of their AI journey and offers pathways that can be adapted to various starting points, whether you're beginning with a more formal or informal approach.

2.        Governance Made AccessibleThe AI-CAE toolkit breaks down complex governance considerations into manageable components, helping leaders establish appropriate oversight without becoming overwhelmed by technical details. It specifically addresses the unique governance challenges faced by charities and membership bodies, including trustee engagement and stakeholder communication.

3.        Problem-Focused ImplementationOne of the most valuable aspects of the programme is its emphasis on problem-solving rather than technology for its own sake. The resources help you maintain focus on addressing genuine organisational challenges through AI, ensuring that implementations deliver measurable impact aligned with your mission.

4.        Terminology and Knowledge BuildingThe designation provides clear explanations of AI terminology and concepts in accessible language, building your confidence in discussing and directing AI initiatives. This aspect is particularly valuable for leaders without technical backgrounds who need to engage credibly with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.

5.        Practical Tools for Immediate UseThe toolkit includes ready-to-use templates and frameworks that you can immediately apply within your organisation, helping you move from conceptual understanding to practical implementation without delay.

The Value of AI-CAE Leaders

AI is increasingly becoming a critical consideration for membership organisations of all sizes, including small to medium-sized charities. The AI-CAE designation provides the base of really sound information that I've found tremendously useful as a leader. The programme offers practical guidance that helps you navigate the complexities of AI adoption while remaining true to your organisation's values and mission.

I highly recommend the AI-CAE toolkit and designation to fellow leaders in the membership sectors who are looking to adopt AI effectively while developing appropriate frameworks.

For more information about the AI-CAE designation, visit https://www.aiinstitute.cloud/ai-cae or email nrad@aiinstitute.cloud.

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