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#DELIVER · LinkedIn original

Most AI pilots do not fail because of AI.

Author: Dr. Michael Zeisig · First published: 2026-07-16

KI-generiertes Motiv zu: Die meisten KI-Piloten scheitern nicht an KI.

Most AI pilots do not fail because of AI.

They fail because AI works alongside the process, rather than within it.

MIT estimates that around 95% of GenAI pilots generate no sustainable business value. One main reason: AI is not integrated into actual workflows.

An example from mechanical engineering, anonymised.

Special-purpose machinery. High product variety. Quotation process: six weeks.

The goal was not to replace sales.

It was to remove three recurring bottlenecks:

→ Structure the enquiry

→ Prepare feasibility and cost assessments

→ Prepare the quotation logic

Three AI assistants with clearly defined roles: within the process rather than instead of it.

People remain responsible wherever risk and the customer relationship are involved.

Result: 30–50% shorter lead times.

No magic. Clarification loops and implicit coordination disappear.

The uncomfortable lesson:

AI’s most important knowledge base is not documents. It is well-designed processes.

Where would your biggest opportunity lie?

#AIinPractice #ProcessManagement #SMEs

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