AI doesn’t disappear when organisations avoid the conversation – it goes underground. As more employees quietly adopt AI tools at work, this article looks at why “AI smuggling” happens, what it reveals about organisational readiness, and how clear guidance and calm leadership can turn hidden use into responsible adoption.

AI strategy for business isn’t about choosing the right tools or moving fast. It’s about readiness — leadership clarity, decision ownership, and organisational maturity. This piece explores why AI is less a technical disruption and more a reckoning for how businesses really operate, and what thoughtful leaders are doing differently to build lasting advantage.

AI is no longer a future concept — it’s fast becoming the operating environment for modern businesses. As we head into 2026, organisations that fail to get a grip on AI risk falling behind competitors who are already using it to move faster, work smarter, and create real advantage. This thought leadership piece explores how AI is evolving, why inaction is now a strategic risk, and sets out a practical, low-regret path for businesses to take control — turning AI from a source