And that’s what made a few people listen.
They began to see AI not as a threat — but as a gateway to more meaningful work.
From Excel Hacks to Intelligent Systems
Over the years, I went from writing macros to leading automation transformations. At Sandvik, I redesigned planning systems, streamlined inventory, and deployed reporting structures that changed how we understood profitability.
At Accenture, I helped implement AI and RPA across operations — from automated PO trackers using data from 17 sources, to forecasting tools built in R that selected the best algorithm based on error rates. We saved time, reduced manual cycles, and began training new joiners on AI tools from day one.
But even then, the real challenge wasn’t technical.
It was emotional.
- People feared being made irrelevant before they saw what they could become.
A Vision That Came Too Early
In 2017, I tried convincing a few close colleagues to start an AI-based company. My idea? Build multiple AIs for different business functions that could talk to each other and negotiate. A retailer’s AI could generate forecasts, and a CPG manufacturer’s AI could optimize production in response. Each AI would pursue its objective, but find middle ground through structured dialogue.
They thought I was dreaming.
Today, that idea has a name: Agentic AI.
Sometimes I smile when I hear people talk about it — because I saw it long before it was possible. And that’s been a pattern in my life: I often see it early, and feel the resistance first.
3 Hard-Won Lessons About AI
- Start with Pain, Not Potential
Forget the big picture. Start with the bottleneck. Automate one soul-draining task. Make someone’s day better. Then scale.
- Adoption is Emotional, Not Technical
A model can be perfect, and still unused. People adopt what helps them feel secure, valued, and free.
- Leaders Must Champion the Small Wins
Top-down ambition means nothing unless someone at the ground level feels the benefit. Celebrate the first 30-minute time save like it’s a million-dollar win.
What Changed Me the Most?
AI didn’t just change our workflows.
It changed how we think about time.
With fewer repetitive tasks, people had space to think, reflect, contribute differently.
I saw hesitant team members start contributing ideas.
I saw new hires embrace automation without fear.
I saw the shift — from being busy to becoming useful.
And I realized something: