Our leadership team is bombarded with AI software pitches and pet automation projects. How do we use our V/TO® and Rocks discipline to filter AI initiatives so we only adopt tech that drives measurable bottom-line value?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Artificial intelligence is currently the primary shiny object distracting leadership teams. Owners and department heads see new tools and immediately launch fragmented automation experiments that consume hours, frustrate staff, and generate zero return.

To prevent this, run every proposed AI investment through the V/TO and the EOS quarterly Rock process.

First, apply the Core Focus filter. Your V/TO defines your purpose, cause, or passion, along with your niche. Any proposed AI tool must directly support your Core Focus by either improving delivery within your niche or drastically lowering the cost of fulfilling it. If a software platform does not directly accelerate your existing Core Focus, kill the proposal immediately, regardless of how impressive the technology seems.

Second, never roll out AI software as an informal side experiment. Treat automation as a quarterly Rock. If customer support or marketing wants to deploy an AI workflow, an owner must take personal accountability for a discrete Rock with measurable completion criteria. For example, the Rock cannot be to test an AI agent; the Rock must be to automate tier-one customer intake to reduce response time by forty percent while maintaining satisfaction scores.

Third, verify that the underlying process is documented in your 20/80 Core Process before automating it. Automating a broken or undefined manual process simply creates automated chaos. Use the discipline of EOS to stabilize the process first, validate the business case, and deploy AI only when it protects your bottom line.