Why AI adoption fails (and how to fix it)

AI's promise is real—but the challenge to realizing its value isn't technology, it's people. AI scientist, entrepreneur, and investor Rana el Kaliouby joins host Molly Wood to explore why AI adoption can stall and how leaders can help human-AI teams thrive. The conversation explores emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication—essential skills for successful AI adoption and sustainable human-AI collaboration. Rana makes the case that leaders must foster trust, build readiness, rethink workflows, and keep humans at the center to unlock AI's full potential and ensure sustainable adoption. Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction to WorkLab and Rana el Kaliouby 02:06 — AI's missing piece: emotional intelligence 08:11 — AI struggles with real-world context and timing 15:24 — Two mindsets: embracing AI vs. resisting it 17:16 — Human skills that matter most in the AI era 19:21 — What separates successful AI organizations Find this episode on: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worklab/id1582908812 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vApnLW5XfXoP8WDYGzFkT - WorkLab Podcast: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/podcast/ About the WorkLab Podcast: Join host Molly Wood as she explores what leaders need to know to prepare their organizations for the innovations and disruptions that are transforming the way we work. Listen to her conversations with leading economists, technologists, and researchers on everything from how to use AI effectively to what it takes to thrive in a digital age. For more insights on the future of work, visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/ **