Tales from the Trenches: Confessions of a Corporate Innovator
Official Launch Event for the AI Adoption Forum
Join us for the official launch of the AI Adoption Forum, a new community from Circles of AI for corporate innovators driving AI and technology adoption inside mid-sized enterprises.
We’re kicking things off with a candid fireside chat featuring two veteran innovators—AI Adoption co-founder James Rowe and AI transformation expert John Bondoc, as they share untold stories, lessons learned, and battle-tested strategies for making innovation work inside complex organizations. The discussion will be led and moderated by veteran technologist and AI Adoption Forum co-founder Tris Hussey.
WHEN:
Friday, April 25, 2025, from 12 - 1 PM PT / 3 - 4 PM ET
WHAT TO EXPECT
This isn’t a theoretical discussion; it’s a real-world conversation about the messy, political, challenging, and rewarding process of driving change from within. You’ll hear how James and John navigated challenges like:
Poor executive buy-in
Failed pilots
Innovation theater
Internal resistance
Jumping on the hype-wagon
…and how all these lessons apply to enterprise AI adoption—warts and all. Expect frank discussion, even disagreement, especially around the implications of AI as an extension of automation. Our speakers bring a nuanced view that, for some organizations, the disruptive nature of AI—particularly in hiring and operations—may not be entirely beneficial or aligned with brand values.
TOPICS INCLUDE
🔹 Overcoming internal resistance to innovation and AI
🔹 Why corporate pilots stall and how to break through
🔹 Leveraging internal champions in scaling change
🔹 Framing AI as a strategic enabler, or why some companies might choose a human-first approach instead
🔹 Real-world stories and practical takeaways for enterprise leaders
🔹 Q&A session to ask your own questions about AI, innovation, and enterprise adoption
WHY ATTEND?
By the end of this session, you’ll:
✅ Learn what really works when driving innovation inside large companies
✅ Gain fresh strategies to position AI for long-term impact (or question its fit for your org)
✅ Join a live Q&A and connect with fellow innovators tackling similar challenges
JOIN US!
We’ll also introduce the vision for the AI Adoption Forum, a peer-driven space to learn, collaborate, and lead AI transformation efforts inside your organization. Attendees will have the opportunity to be part of this new community of practice focused on AI innovation and adoption in the enterprise.
Help us launch this exciting community and take the first step toward more effective, enterprise-ready AI adoption. If you’ve ever struggled to turn ideas into action inside your organization, this session—and community—is for you.