I’ve seen it too many times.
New tech emerges — blockchain, crypto, digital transformation — and companies rush headfirst into POCs, MVPs, and pilots…
…forgetting to ask the most important question:
👉 Why?

AI is no different.

During my month in the Emirates, I attended several AI events and heard it all:
✨ AI for Good. AI for the People. AI as an Enabler.
Refreshing, compared to the ego-driven “move fast and break things” we so love in North America.

But I also met the Evangelists — selling AI as the universal solution (preferably using their services).
And the Balanced Evangelists — pragmatic thinkers who remind us that AI without purpose, context, and reasoning is just noise.

AI will change how we work — no doubt.
But if you don’t know the problem you’re solving, it’s just another hammer in search of a nail.

💡 My take?
GenAI is a co-worker, not a savior.
The winners won’t be those who deploy AI the fastest — but those who think the deepest about why they’re deploying it.

Listen to my latest podcast for the full story — from the hype to the reality, and where leaders should really focus 👇
#AI #AgenticAI #Leadership #Innovation #ValueCreation #DigitalTransformation #CriticalThinking #Strategy

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

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