Matt McLarty, CTO at Boomi, joins the show to break down what enterprise AI adoption really looks like in 2025. From navigating the hype cycle to identifying practical first steps, Matt shares what separates companies that are seeing value from those stuck in endless pilots. If you’re a tech leader wondering how to move beyond experimentation and into measurable outcomes, this episode is your playbook.

Key Takeaways

• AI adoption is not binary—it’s a spectrum, and success depends on linking it to business value, not just “using AI.”

• Orientation matters: every company needs an honest assessment of where they are on their digital maturity curve before jumping in.

• Small, low-risk bets build the organizational muscle memory required for bigger wins.

• The fastest wins often come from augmenting existing automation rather than chasing moonshots.

• Companies that succeed treat AI as a tool to solve business problems, not as an end goal.

Timestamped Highlights

01:38 – Why AI’s hype cycle feels like “Mount Everest” compared to cloud and mobile

04:50 – Why AI adoption can’t be compared to past waves like blockchain or cloud

07:36 – The hidden foundation: digital transformation work still matters

11:11 – The inversion that changes everything: AI isn’t the goal, business outcomes are

16:26 – Defining “adoption” as a multi-dimensional spectrum, not a checkbox

19:50 – How to recover if your first AI projects fall short

28:04 – Building adaptability as a core enterprise competency

31:25 – The common traits of companies succeeding with AI right now

A standout moment

“AI isn’t the end goal—it’s just another tool. The real question is, what business problems can we finally solve with it?” – Matt McLarty

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