Empowering AI Adoption: The Need for Effective Training and Ongoing Coaching

Louise Ballard, co-founder and CEO of Atheni AI, aims to transform how teams integrate AI into their workflows. Her mission is clear: ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence aren't limited to a privileged few but accessible to all, regardless of background or expertise.

“As AI becomes embedded across every profession, we don't want to create a two-tier society where only those who can afford expensive tools or specialist training are able to benefit,” Ballard asserts.

“Everyone should have access to the knowledge and confidence they need to use AI well.”

Atheni AI stands out in the crowded field of startups, particularly with its female founders. Ballard and her co-founder, Mackenzie Howe, bring a unique perspective shaped by their diverse experiences. Ballard, who spent decades in corporate communications, joined forces with Howe, an entrepreneur with a background in investment consulting. They recognized a fundamental issue: the hurdle isn't the technology itself, but rather how to effectively empower individuals to utilize it.

Understanding the Adoption Challenge

Ballard highlights a crucial problem in AI adoption: “Anyone can open ChatGPT and ask it a question. The real question is whether they know if the answer is good. Can they provide the right context? Can they challenge the output?”

In conversations with various clients across industries, a common theme emerged—companies invest in AI technology and expect immediate adoption. Yet, they often see minimal engagement. “Those who did use the tools often weren’t utilizing them effectively, while many simply reverted to traditional methods,” Ballard explains. This observation echoes broader concerns highlighted in a recent study by CambrianEdge.ai, which found that 55% of professionals cited isolated AI use and lack of structured workflows as significant barriers.

Importantly, organizations lacking foundational collaborative infrastructures—like training modules and shared resources—are at a severe disadvantage. Moreover, a BCG report shows that while a significant percentage of CMOs view AI as transformative, many still restrict its application to isolated tasks rather than embedding it throughout their operations.

“Transformation doesn’t happen because you have a couple of AI champions. It requires collective confidence,” Ballard emphasizes.

The Limitations of Traditional Training

The prevailing approach to AI training often misses the mark. Ballard suggests experienced professionals can become the most adept AI users due to their judgment—something AI lacks. The barriers to adoption arise from fears of obsolescence, ingrained habits, and a lack of relevance in generic training methods. “People attend workshops and leave motivated, but soon return to their old processes,” Ballard notes.

“This isn’t primarily a training problem; it’s a coaching problem. People need ongoing guidance as they work.”

Real-Time Coaching for Lasting Adoption

Atheni's strategy involves real-time support. The platform operates alongside users, providing tailored guidance based on individual roles and projects, helping employees progress through a customized capability scale. This approach differs from generic lessons; its focus is on personalized coaching that adapts to how individuals are actually using AI tools.

The platform also equips organizations with insights into overall team capabilities and adoption rates, allowing for a culture shift towards deeper AI integration rather than mere utilization. “For our clients, success isn’t just about tool usage; it’s about understanding what quality AI usage looks like,” Ballard explains, highlighting a client whose initiative led them to 90% adoption within three months.

“They learned not just to use AI but to extend their expertise—realizing that AI could support rather than replace their skills.”

Access Alone Isn't Enough

Atheni comprehensively engages with organizations before, during, and after AI rollouts, departing from the simplistic approach of mere tool distribution. “The biggest misconception is equating access with adoption. Handing out licences doesn’t inherently change how work gets executed,” Ballard stresses.

Consider a corporate finance client, who opted to revamp their monthly reporting process rather than just automate it. “This shift in thinking highlights the metamorphosis from efficiency to redesigning workflows,” Ballard emphasizes. Companies that merely roll out AI without strategic integration often find themselves questioning why engagement remains low or why AI-generated communications lack clarity.

Maximizing AI Potential

Ballard likens the current use of AI in many organizations to “driving a Ferrari to the supermarket.” There’s immense potential that often remains untapped. “Real success isn’t measured in how frequently someone prompts the system, but in how ingrained AI is in their workflow and decision-making,” she asserts.

A user with well-developed workflows can generate more value than someone who relies on superficial tasks, regardless of frequency.

Aligning AI with Real-World Needs

The integration of AI systems into business should reflect actual operational realities. Ballard points out that many firms have deployed sophisticated AI frameworks created without understanding their workflows. “This disconnect often necessitates rebuilding processes from the ground up,” she notes.

Going forward, professionals will increasingly require two skill sets: domain expertise and AI literacy. They should be capable of crafting their own solutions rather than solely relying on centralized tech teams.

Preparing for an Evolving Landscape

The potential of AI systems becoming more intuitive poses its own set of questions for platforms like Atheni. While acknowledging this possibility, Ballard is confident that the skills necessary to leverage AI will continue to evolve. “Today, we focus on enhancing prompt-writing skills, but in the future, those skills will likely shift towards orchestrating more complex AI systems,” she suggests.

“The fundamental challenges remain, but they will adapt. We may assist with negotiation skills, leadership, or any area where ongoing guidance is valuable.”

Bridging the Credibility Gap

Recently, Atheni secured £350,000 in funding, a process that exposed deeper challenges Ballard faced as a female founder. She recognized a “credibility gap” during fundraising, as investors often overlooked the unique issues faced by the company.

“Many dismissed the need for coaching, assuming AI's ease of use negated the requirement for support,” she shares.

After a brief fundraising pause, Atheni found investors who understood the business's potential and quickly closed their funding round. “With revenue already coming in from consulting, we could prove the problem before expanding our software offering,” Ballard explains, indicating the blurred lines between consulting and software in today's AI-driven world. “Solving complex human challenges necessitates strong domain knowledge, often best garnered through direct customer engagement,” she adds.

As AI fundamentally reshapes the workplace, Ballard envisions a future where humans remain central to decision-making processes. “We have a pivotal role in shaping the workplace of tomorrow, and I hope that future prioritizes human-centric approaches,” she concludes.

Lead image: Louise Ballard and Mackenzie Howe.