Stop Funding AI Hype Without a P&L Exit Strategy
The ROI Reality Check
To protect your business from the hype cycle, you must move from anecdotal excitement to rigorous data.
The Hype Trap The Logical Standard (ROAI)
"We have a pilot running." "This tool reduced overhead by 15% in Q1."
"Our team is using the AI." "AI automation reclaimed 40 labor hours per week."
"It looks innovative in demos." "The solution is mapped to a specific P&L line item."
"It’s a specialized AI tool." "It provides value beyond what foundational models already do."
Strategic Directives for Leadership
Audit Your "Wrappers": Immediately review your AI software subscriptions. If the tool is merely a UI layered over a foundational model (like GPT-4 or Claude), determine if you can build that workflow internally for a fraction of the cost.
Kill the "Passion Projects": If an AI initiative cannot be tied to a specific Key Performance Indicator (KPI) within 90 days, cut the funding.
Integrate, Don't Layer: AI should not be an "extra" step. It must be embedded into existing workflows to ensure it actually changes how work gets done.