AI at Scale: Susan McLeod on Pilots, People, and Knowing the Problem

Susan C. McLeod, VP of Data Center Market Development at Hitachi Energy, joins us to explore how large organizations can successfully navigate AI adoption. Drawing from over 20 years in enterprise tech, Susan offers practical insights for turning complex technology into a wins for people on the ground. With a background leading global support and success at Hitachi Vantara, Susan now works at the critical intersection of AI, data centers, and the energy sector. In this practical conversation, we discuss why most AI pilots fail, how to truly prepare your data and teams for new tools, and why communication is the most vital skill for a future shaped by automation. Susan's insights challenge us to look beyond the hype, preserve the invaluable human knowledge within our organizations, and champion the critical thinking skills that will define the next generation of leaders. Highlights: The "leapfrog" moment that sparked a shift from simple bots to generative AI Why leaders need to say everything seven times The reason 95% of corporate AI pilots are failing How to prevent the loss of irreplaceable knowledge as experts retire Why the next generation’s greatest challenge is protecting their own critical thinking