‘Stratlock’ and the AI Asterisk: Why Pilots Fail — and What Pragmatic Leaders Do Differently

Everyone — including the markets — have been buzzing and reacting to a headline about a new MIT Research Report. You’ve likely read or heard iterations of the headline: 95% of Gen AI pilots are failing. But there’s a huge asterisk to this statement. In this episode of Insight ON, CTO of Product Innovation Amol Ajgaonkar explains why leaders shouldn’t take the 95% stat too seriously — and what to learn from it. Amol breaks down the “stratlock” trap (when organizations get stuck in endless strategy and never move to execution). He also shares why pragmatic leaders focus on measurable outcomes, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what it really takes to drive AI adoption that works for people and the business. Key topics: -The difference between strategy and execution in AI projects - How to build AI strategies that deliver real, measurable results - The importance of starting small, iterating, and learning fast - What leaders can do to move from planning to progress If you’re responsible for technology decisions, budgets, or outcomes, this conversation is for you. Listen for practical advice and real-world examples that will help you lead with clarity.