09-24-2026IMPACT COUNCIL

AI adoption fails on mandates

Companies mandating AI use are missing the point—real adoption spreads through desire, not compliance, the same way brands build loyalty.

[Photo: Getty Images]

The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of top leaders and experts who pay dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership, and more.

BY Emily Wilcox and Anubhav Rohatgi

Leaders around the country are mandating AI amidst efficiency promises and required training. Programs roll out and employees nod, complete the requirements, and quietly go back to the way they’ve always worked.

Here’s the problem with mandates: they don’t work on fear and, for most people, AI is frightening. It’s moving fast, it’s everywhere, and it feels like it’s coming for the thing your employees are best at. You can’t mandate your way past that. You can’t efficiency your way past it either.

You need a new playbook.

Strong adoption comes from desire

Here’s what separates organizations getting AI adoption right: they understand that AI spreads the same way brands do.

Strong........

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