Let IT Lead with Openness
IT’s role has evolved. In Johnson’s view, it’s no longer about locking things down, it’s about unlocking new ways of working. That means helping teams experiment safely, while still keeping standards high.
People won’t adopt what they don’t understand. That’s why Johnson’s team encourages employees to explore third-party AI tools, write prompts, and train chatbots. The goal is to help people feel in control, not left behind.
Johnson’s approach makes it clear: successful AI adoption starts when leaders invite people in, make the technology approachable, and encourage hands-on learning across every level of the business.
Adoption grows when employees see how AI can actually help—not just in theory, but in their day-to-day. That shift doesn’t happen through mandates. It happens when teams are trusted to experiment, make a few mistakes, and learn as they go.
Here are a few highlights from Johnson, edited for clarity. Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts and remember you can browse our entire podcast catalog.
- “As my CIO career began in state and local government, I witnessed the cautious approach to new technologies. There was a strong preference for playing it safe, but I also saw the significant cost of waiting, the missed opportunities for learning, and the challenges to building a forward-thinking culture. These are the advancements that can transform workforces, and if you wait too long to learn about and adopt new technologies, you'll be left behind.”
- “When driving AI adoption within your organization, remember to start with building awareness and excitement. Make AI tools readily available and integrated into your employees' everyday workflows. Then identify and empower your AI champions, showcasing real-life, relatable use cases that demonstrate the value and ease of using AI.”
- “The role of IT leaders is changing so much. It used to be a gatekeeper, but then, along came software-as-a-service, and that put tech directly into employees' hands. Now with AI, it's a whole new approach. AI can seem really intimidating, and IT leaders now have a huge responsibility to demystify it and make it accessible again. It's like the dot-com boom. We're witnessing an even more transformative moment with AI, and it's important that IT leaders harness this potential to drive innovation within their companies. The key to adoption is to build a culture of learning around AI.”