Why do so many AI rollouts stall right after the tools ship?
In this episode of Alexa’s Input (AI), Alexa talks with Melissa Reeve, author of the book Hyper Adaptive: Rewiring the Enterprise to Become AI Native, about what it actually takes to get AI adopted in large organizations.
Melissa shares how her background in lean, Agile, and DevOps transformation shaped her view that AI adoption is less about “buying the tool” and more about rewiring how work happens. Together, they break down why many AI initiatives fail (and why ROI is slow), the FOCUS framework, the “AI time paradox,” and how support structures like AI activation hubs, social learning, and better success metrics can raise quality and accelerate impact.
A must-listen for engineering leaders, product teams, and executives trying to move beyond pilots and turn AI into real operational leverage.
Learn more about Melissa and Hyper Adaptive below.
Links
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@alexa_griffith
Read: https://alexasinput.substack.com/
Listen: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/alexagriffith/
More: https://linktr.ee/alexagriffith
Website: https://alexagriffith.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-griffith/
Find out more about the guest at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamreeve/
Book: https://itrevolution.com/product/hyperadaptive/
Keywords
AI adoption, enterprise transformation, Hyper Adaptive model, organizational change, DevOps, Lean, Agile, AI integration, customer-centricity, innovation accounting, social learning
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption in Enterprises
03:00 Melissa's Journey and the Foundation of AI Thinking
06:06 The Analogy of DevOps and AI Implementation
08:47 Cultural Shifts vs. Tooling in AI Adoption
11:49 The Hyper Adaptive Model for AI Integration
14:48 Sociology of Workflows and Organizational Change
17:49 Understanding AI Initiative Failures
21:00 Customer Centricity in AI Solutions
23:58 The AI Time Paradox and Learning
26:58 AI Activation Hubs and Their Role
30:54 The Role of Human Oversight in AI Automation
34:03 Incentivizing AI Engagement in Organizations
35:59 Social Learning and AI: The Power of Collaboration
40:57 Practical Applications of AI in Daily Life
44:44 Quality vs. Productivity: The AI Dilemma
46:13 The Focus Framework: Prioritizing AI Use Cases
48:23 Influencing AI Adoption in Organizations
51:07 The Future of Hyper Adaptive Organizations
55:08 Decision-Making in the Age of AI
57:37 Key Takeaways for Leaders in the AI Revolution