Why Every Organisation Needs AI Champions
Aug 11, 2025
Why Every Organisation Needs an AI Champion
AI doesn’t transform a workplace just because the software is available. The real change comes when people start working differently. And behind that shift, there’s often one key role: the AI Champion.
More Than Just “the AI Person”
An AI Champion isn’t the most technical person in the room. They’re the colleague who makes AI approachable, practical, and relevant to real work.
What they do
Translate AI from theory into daily practice
Spot opportunities where AI can remove pain points
Share examples that others can immediately reuse
Build confidence by showing safe, responsible use
Why AI Champions Matter
New technology often fails to stick because people don’t know where to start or why it’s useful. AI Champions close that gap by demonstrating the value through lived examples.
The difference they create
One-off experiments become repeatable workflows
Curiosity turns into team-wide confidence
AI shifts from a novelty to a trusted partner in work
The Ripple Effect of a Champion
When a Champion introduces a small win—like cutting down reporting time or drafting content faster—it sparks a ripple effect. Teammates adopt it, adapt it, and before long, the team has built its own toolkit of proven approaches.
Signs of momentum
Colleagues reuse their workflows without being asked
Their examples get cited in meetings and documents
Others begin to request their input on high-stakes tasks
The Traits of an Effective Champion
Not everyone is suited to the role, but the most effective Champions tend to share certain traits.
Common qualities
Curiosity – They’re eager to test and learn
Clarity – They explain things simply, without jargon
Practicality – They prioritise real results over hype
Trustworthiness – Others rely on their judgement
From Experiments to Everyday Practice
AI Champions are the bridge between experimentation and transformation. They turn scattered trials into consistent value by embedding AI into the team’s daily rhythm.
The lasting impact
Stronger workflows that scale
Team norms around responsible AI use
A culture of experimentation and learning
Final Thought
AI alone won’t change an organisation. People will. And more often than not, it starts with one person stepping up as a Champion—making the new possible, practical, and repeatable.
