The Case for an AI Champion
Learn why firms with clear AI leadership achieve higher success rates, how to choose the right champion, when to form a taskforce, and how to empower them to drive lasting innovation and growth.
Embarking on the AI journey in your firm is an exciting and potentially transformative step. Yet, getting started can feel daunting. Who identifies the right use cases? Who ensures the team asks the right questions? Who drives the pilot projects forward? The answer often lies in appointing an AI Champion.
Why an AI Champion Matters
In the early stages of AI implementation, clarity, accountability, and momentum are essential. An AI Champion provides precisely that. They’re the person who ensures that opportunities are identified, use cases are realistic, and implementation is practical and achievable. They advocate internally, maintain focus, and translate vision into clear, actionable steps.
Research by McKinsey highlights the importance of having a dedicated internal champion, finding that companies with clear AI leadership are up to three times more likely to succeed in their digital transformation efforts (McKinsey, 2022).
Choosing Your Champion
An ideal AI Champion is someone who already understands your firm inside and out. Look internally first—often, the most effective champions are existing team members deeply familiar with your firm’s workflows, culture, and objectives. Technical expertise isn’t mandatory. Instead, prioritize someone who:
• Knows the ins and outs of your firm’s processes.
• Has influence and credibility within your firm.
Identifying Your Champion
Your AI Champion doesn’t need to be an external hire or a tech wizard. The most effective champions often emerge internally—someone who already knows the firm's strengths, weaknesses, and hidden potential. Consider team members respected for their clarity of thought, influence, and passion for innovation.
In a mid-sized accounting firm, for instance, your ideal AI Champion might be a senior audit manager known for successfully streamlining past workflows and who naturally communicates complex changes clearly to staff at all levels.
When to Form an AI Taskforce
For larger firms (200+ employees), the Champion might be best supported by a dedicated taskforce. A balanced taskforce includes individuals who collectively bring:
• Deep operational knowledge about firm-specific workflows.
• Technical insight to assess integration possibilities.
• Strategic vision to ensure alignment with firm-wide goals.
Consider a successful scenario where a large UK firm formed an AI taskforce composed of an operations lead, a senior IT specialist, and a strategic partner. This balanced team approach ensured buy-in across departments, clear strategic alignment, and smoother project execution, ultimately increasing their AI pilot success rate by over 50% (Deloitte Insights, 2021).
Empowering Your Champion
Beyond appointing the right person or team, success depends on empowering them. Provide your Champion with direct access to leadership, clear goals, and sufficient resources. Encourage transparency, welcome their questions, and support their experimentation.
Realizing the Impact
An effective AI Champion does more than implement technology—they guide your firm through the journey, minimize risks, and amplify opportunities. According to Gartner, firms with designated AI champions report a 70% higher likelihood of successful AI integration compared to those without (Gartner, 2023).
By appointing the right AI Champion, you're creating not just immediate outcomes, but laying a lasting foundation for innovation, efficiency, and strategic growth.
