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The Rate of Change vs. The Reality of Adoption

The accessibility of AI has fundamentally changed how quickly new technology can be created. A teenager with access to ChatGPT or Claude can write network configurations or develop new IT features – but this rapid development introduces interesting challenges around adoption and understanding.

Just because something can be created quickly doesn't mean it can be quickly consumed or understood. Think about it like this: having a developer write user documentation is often problematic because they're too close to the code. Similarly, AI-assisted rapid development can create capabilities faster than organizations can effectively adopt them.

This is where process becomes our superpower. The ability to demystify new technology – to break it down into consumable pieces that teams can understand and implement – is more critical now than ever. We need structured approaches to bridge the gap between creation and adoption. Without clear processes, we risk creating a landscape of disconnected technologies that teams struggle to maintain and support.

The challenge isn't just about the technology itself. It's about making that technology approachable and understandable within our organizations. A 14-year-old might write perfectly functional router code, but without proper documentation and knowledge transfer, that code becomes another piece of technical debt.

In my experience working with teams across various organizations, this rapid pace of innovation often leads to what I call the "capability gap" – where what's possible outpaces what's practical. Teams end up with powerful tools they can't fully utilize because they haven't had time to properly understand and integrate them into their workflows.

The solution isn't to slow down innovation – that's neither possible nor desirable. Instead, we need to focus on building robust processes for knowledge sharing and adoption. This includes:

  • Clear documentation practices
  • Structured learning paths for teams
  • Regular knowledge transfer sessions
  • Practical hands-on experience opportunities

The key is finding balance: embracing the rapid pace of innovation while ensuring we have robust processes for demystification and learning in the flow of work. This approach helps teams stay agile without sacrificing understanding and proper adoption.

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