This article first appeared in Clarity Notes, my newsletter for executives navigating AI adoption. Since publishing, I’ve refined the Executive AI Ramp to focus on phases rather than a strict 90-day timeline. The principles here still hold true — clarity, pilot, scale — but with more flexibility for each organization’s pace.

Adopting AI can feel overwhelming for many executives. Between the technical complexity, compliance concerns, and uncertainty around ROI, it’s no wonder leaders hesitate to act. But the truth is: you don’t have to boil the ocean to see meaningful results.

Here’s a pragmatic way to cut through the noise and move forward with clarity.

3 Questions Every Leader Should Ask Before Adopting AI

1. Where can AI save time or money today — without changing customer experience?

2. What pilot could we launch in 30 days to prove ROI?

3. How will we govern data and access from day one?

If you can answer those three questions, you’re already 80% of the way toward a successful pilot.

A Clearer Path to AI Adoption

Executives often ask me the same question: “Where do we even start with AI?”

The key is building confidence step by step. That’s why I use a 3-phase journey to help leaders move from hesitation to transformation.

Explore the Executive AI Ramp

At Skylark 118, I’ve developed the Executive AI Ramp — a structured 90-day framework that turns AI from uncertainty into measurable wins. It’s designed to help leaders move from curiosity to pilot success to confident scaling.

👉 Learn more about the Executive AI Ramp

Looking Ahead

In upcoming posts, I’ll share:

• How to spot high-ROI pilots (and avoid the hype)

• Governance frameworks that build trust from the start

• How to scale AI adoption without overwhelming your teams

This article is adapted from Clarity Notes, my monthly newsletter for leaders who want pragmatic AI playbooks and visionary roadmaps. If you’d like to receive future issues directly in your inbox, you can subscribe here.