Leadership and adoption
Appointing an AI champion
One or two colleagues who know their way around AI and help others often make more difference than expensive training. How to choose and support them.
5 min read
In many businesses a few people experiment with AI on their own and help others along. Build on that. An AI champion is a colleague who acts as a point of contact, shares good examples and lowers the threshold for others.
What a champion does
- Answers colleagues' questions or points them in the right direction.
- Collects and shares good prompts and examples.
- Helps new colleagues get started.
- Flags problems and risks.
- Thinks about new uses.
Who to choose
Not necessarily the most technical person. Rather someone who:
- Enjoys working with AI and uses it in practice.
- Explains patiently and listens well.
- Is respected by colleagues.
- Stays critical, including about AI.
In a larger business, ideally appoint one champion per department.
What the champion needs
- Time: a few hours a month, recognised as part of the job.
- Training: a step beyond the basics.
- Access: to the business tools and the AI policy.
- Backing: a direct line to management.
Points to watch
- A champion isn't a helpdesk that solves everything. Everyone stays responsible for their own use.
- Make sure the role doesn't land on top of a job that's already too full.
Checklist
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Prompt to copy
Help me describe the role of AI champion for our business, a [sector] company with [number] people. Include: purpose, tasks, time per month, what the champion doesn't need to do, and a short text to announce the role to the team.
