Lessons from AI Transformation Leaders: Why AI Is Not Just an Off-the-Shelf Software
An in-depth look at corporate AI transformation in Thailand, revealing critical gaps from prototyping to employee adoption.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- AI is not plug-and-play software; very few organizations achieve actual ROI from it.
- Companies must overcome three main hurdles: Build Gap, Production Gap, and Adoption Gap.
- Statistics show 88% of Thai firms remain stuck at Digitalization, with only 3% reaching AI-First.
- Success requires robust foundational infrastructure and managing human dynamics across all staff groups.
During Session 3 of the HOW Quarterly Public Session: Burning Platform Corporate Survival Guide in the Age of AI panel discussion, industry experts from IT consulting and solutions shared the unfiltered reality of AI Transformation. Three and a half years into the Generative AI era, Leng from MFEC noted that while organizations previously invested heavily in human capital for knowledge, intellect, and diligence, AI has now commoditized these exact traits.
However, simply purchasing solutions like Copilot or Gemini rarely guarantees success, as very few clients actually generate a real return on investment. AI is not an off-the-shelf software that instantly transforms a company. This shifts the challenge to human factors. AI is meant to accelerate business value, not replace staff, meaning organizations relying on traditional speed-and-volume KPIs will fail to reach true success.
Enterprise AI transformation goes far beyond merely installing new tools; it requires completely redesigning operational workflows. The main challenge often lies within legacy corporate cultures accustomed to traditional methods, requiring active engagement and understanding across all employee levels rather than placing the burden solely on the IT department.
Bee outlined the core obstacles preventing companies from achieving practical implementation through three primary gaps:
- Build Gap: The challenge of turning ideas into prototypes, which is now the easiest gap to close using AI to accelerate coding and design within days.
- Production Gap: The gap between prototypes and live system deployment, likened to an iceberg hiding massive underlying infrastructure, security, and policy requirements.
- Adoption Gap: The toughest barrier involving employee acceptance and daily usage, as tools require human interaction to deliver business results.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, Tor presented survey data on Thai corporate readiness, highlighting data fragmentation, a lack of clear data owners due to privacy regulations like PDPA and GDPR, and skill gaps in designing Agentic workflows. The data reveals that 88% of Thai companies are still stuck at the Digitalization stage, while only 3% have successfully evolved into AI-First organizations.
To prepare for the next 18 months, the speakers shared strategic recommendations. Leng suggested managing human dynamics across three employee groups—tech enthusiasts, fast learners, and those lagging behind, who often make up over half of large organizations. He proposed creating native AI business units from day one to bypass legacy inertia.
Source: Techsauce
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