Crawl, Walk, Run: The Disciplined Framework for Secure AI Adoption

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how organizations can move beyond AI experimentation and build scalable, secure, and measurable systems that deliver real business value. Joining us is Emily Steen, AI Solutions Developer and Forward Deployed Engineer at Thrive. Emily shares how businesses can design production-ready AI workflows, implement strong governance, and confidently scale AI initiatives across their operations. Key Highlights Why AI Pilots Fail: Emily explains the common mistakes that prevent AI projects from reaching production. The Crawl, Walk, Run Framework: Emily shares how organizations can scale AI safely and effectively. Building Successful AI Pilots: Emily highlights the elements that make early AI initiatives measurable and impactful. Scaling AI Across Operations: Emily discusses the organizational changes required for enterprise AI adoption. Governance and Accountability: Emily explains how businesses can maintain oversight in autonomous AI systems. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.