2 UNEXPECTED AI ACCELERATORS

Great essay by Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, who The New York Times called the 'Office Whisperer.' It describes how to overcome the barriers to AI adoption. What I appreciate is that Gleb highlights 2 psychological barriers to adoption: status quo bias and loss aversion.

Most surveys on AI adoption directly ask users about their barriers. The problem? The brain is a great storyteller but a terrible scientist. People give the logical or socially acceptable answer — not the truth. Why? Because most behavior is unconscious, and surveys talk to the rational brain, not the unconscious one. 

As a result, the real barriers often go unmentioned. 

- Status quo bias: our preference for how things are now, even when change would be better.

- Loss aversion: our tendency to fear losses more than we value gains.

These biases quietly sabotage many AI deployments: we don’t like to change and we’re afraid of the change we see.

What I’d add to his paper are 2 hidden accelerators to AI adoption.

1. Both Ends to the Middle Behavioral Design

Adoption moves fastest when the CEO champions the change and the frontline employee endorses it, too. When both ends of the organization adopt AI, they squeeze out resistance that often happens in middle management.

2. Highlighting the Successes of Near Peers

Near peers are just slightly more advanced — technically sharper, socially respected, but still relatable. In times of high uncertainty from disruptive technology, we follow near peers. Highlighting their successes is  essential for scaling adoption within your organization.

Not seeing the productivity gains you expected from AI? You may not have a tech problem. You have an adoption problem. DM me if you have any questions.