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You know, it's rare to see a company approach AI without getting lost in the techno-babble and buzzwords. Luminus, an energy company that's been around the block, decided to dip its toes into the AI pool. But instead of diving headfirst into the deep end with grandiose claims and half-baked strategies, they started where it actually matters... their people.
Forget the algorithms and data models for a second. The toughest nut to crack when implementing AI is getting your team on board. People aren't stupid; they hear the whispers about AI replacing jobs and naturally get defensive. Kris Remels, Head of Innovation at Luminus, got it. He noticed that some folks were "more scared about what it could mean for their job."
Instead of brushing those fears under the rug, Luminus faced them head-on. They understood that technology doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's the people using it that make the difference.
So, they kicked off an Innovation Week—not some flashy, superficial event, but a genuine effort to bring everyone up to speed. Marjolein, a consultant working with Luminus, put it plainly: "Culture change is the first thing to do." They ran sessions that weren't about drowning people in jargon but about making AI accessible.
They taught practical stuff—how to write a prompt, how to mess around with ChatGPT, how to try out Microsoft's Copilot. No snake oil, no magic bullets. Just real tools that people could use to make their jobs easier.
What's refreshing is how they communicated. They brought in experts who could explain things without making people feel dumb. Marjolein mentioned, "You really explained it very well with the right words—not too technical, but also technical enough." It's a fine line to walk, but when you respect your audience, it's amazing what you can achieve.
Here's something more companies need to grasp: AI shouldn't be about replacing humans but amplifying them. Luminus recognized that the real power of AI lies in enhancing human capability, not sidelining it. By involving their team from the ground up, they turned AI from a looming threat into an exciting opportunity.
They didn't just pay lip service to collaboration; they lived it. And in doing so, they unlocked potential that a top-down mandate could never achieve.
So, what's the upshot? People at Luminus started to "understand and really see the value of these projects and of the AI program we're implementing," as Kris observed. That's not just buy-in; that's ownership. Employees began exploring how AI could make their work more efficient, more impactful.
In a world obsessed with the next big thing, Luminus took a step back and focused on what's real. They didn't get lost in endless planning or succumb to analysis paralysis. They acted, learned, and adapted.
Technology is only as good as the people behind it. Luminus didn't forget that. They invested in their team, addressed their concerns, and provided them with the tools to succeed. They showed that embracing AI doesn't mean abandoning your core values or your people.
In the end, it's not about AI changing the future; it's about how we choose to integrate it into our present. Luminus got that right, and they're better off for it.
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