Pressure into Power: Leading AI When Everyone Says They’re Ready

The tools are everywhere. The transformation isn’t. Access to AI has surged, budgets are increasing and confidence is high, yet most workers who have the tools barely use them and most companies are bolting AI onto old workflows instead of redesigning around it. The gap between what leaders say about AI and what’s happening on the ground has never been wider. This working roundtable closes that gap through candid small-group conversation instead of another panel of success stories. Including fresh data from Phocuswright’s “Rebuilt or Bolted On: Travel's Agentic AI Divide” research and cross-industry benchmarks, this session will be run under Chatham House rules so leaders and participants can speak plainly. Each table takes on one dimension of the AI leadership challenge led by a mentor who provokes rather than presents. The session opens with a leadership reality check that frames three tensions every leader is navigating including: confidence vs. candor, speed vs. trust, adoption vs. transformation , and puts one question to the room: what does AI require me to do differently as a leader? The room then reconvenes to surface where we disagree and what we’re doing differently come Monday. Key areas of discussion:Culture & the Say-Do GapROI & MeasurementGovernance & AccountabilityLeading Human-AI TeamsCustomer Experience & TrustTalent & the PipelineThis session is built for the executives, founders, operators and curious people ready for a real conversation about leading through the transformation.We’re seeking experienced executives, founders, and industry innovators to serve as leaders and facilitators at small group tables. Click here to apply!