Your heaviest AI users are probably your best people. That’s the easy part. The harder question, the one that actually matters, is who still is not really using it. Go find out. It’s going to be an awkward conversation.
Capability is the only durable AI moat. Tooling is rented; capability compounds.
Prioritize capability investment over mere tool provision.
AI tooling adoption, particularly among high performers, correlates strongly with existing productivity and engagement, confirming patterns rather than revealing new stars.
Low AI tool usage among experienced personnel indicates either a systemic blocker in access and enablement or a lack of engagement with new work modalities.
Systemic blockers in AI tool access and provision represent critical production incidents, demanding immediate resolution to prevent capability erosion.
Persistent non-engagement with available and enabled AI tools, after proper support, signals a judgment misalignment with evolving engineering practices.
The first question for any AI program: what does this organization measure, and what does the measurement reward?
Capability is the only durable AI moat. Tooling is rented; capability compounds.
Prioritize capability investment over mere tool provision.
AI tooling adoption, particularly among high performers, correlates strongly with existing productivity and engagement, confirming patterns rather than revealing new stars.
Low AI tool usage among experienced personnel indicates either a systemic blocker in access and enablement or a lack of engagement with new work modalities.
Systemic blockers in AI tool access and provision represent critical production incidents, demanding immediate resolution to prevent capability erosion.
Persistent non-engagement with available and enabled AI tools, after proper support, signals a judgment misalignment with evolving engineering practices.
The first question for any AI program: what does this organization measure, and what does the measurement reward?
After 20 years in software development, Norman is both a hands-on leader and defining the new age of AI SDLC for some of the biggest brands in the world — and exploring it with the builders. He writes here about things he is hearing and seeing. All posts are his personal points of view and do not reflect any employer or any customer he has ever had contact with.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not represent the positions of any employer, client, or affiliated organization.
