Instead of hiring a 'Chief AI Officer' or an agency, the most successful GTM AI deployments empower existing top performers. Pair your best SDR, marketer, or RevOps person with AI tools, and let them learn and innovate together. This internal expertise is more valuable than any external consultant.

The best people to build internal AI tools aren't the most technically skilled but those with deep 'company DNA.' They understand the work in an 'uncanny way' and can align AI to replicate nuanced, high-quality outcomes, often outperforming distractible 'AI excited' enthusiasts.

OpenAI's own AI adoption strategy involves creating small, dedicated teams for each business vertical (e.g., finance, sales). These teams deeply understand the domain to build custom AI skills and UIs. Crucially, they maintain a human-in-the-loop to be accountable for all final decisions, like approving code merges.

Unlike previous tech waves driven by system integrators, large companies are rejecting the model of outsourcing their AI strategy. According to Tessera Labs' CEO, CIOs now demand to own their AI platforms and build in-house expertise. The goal is to gain direct leverage and control over their AI journey, not rent it from consultants.

The true enterprise value of AI lies not in consuming third-party models, but in building internal capabilities to diffuse intelligence throughout the organization. This means creating proprietary "AI factories" rather than just using external tools and admiring others' success.

To avoid choosing between deep research and product development, ElevenLabs organizes teams into problem-focused "labs." Each lab, a mix of researchers, engineers, and operators, tackles a specific problem (e.g., voice or agents), sequencing deep research first before building a product layer on top. This structure allows for both foundational breakthroughs and market-facing execution.

Instead of immediately seeking outside consultants, leaders should identify and empower employees who are already using AI effectively. This validates their initiative, leverages existing knowledge, and provides them with a clear path for professional development and company-wide impact.

With AI tools being so new, no external "experts" exist. OpenAI's Chairman argues that the individuals best positioned to lead AI adoption are existing employees. Their deep domain knowledge, combined with a willingness to learn the new technology, makes them more valuable than any outside hire. Call center managers can become "AI Architects."

To accelerate automation and ensure security, ElevenLabs embeds engineers in every department, including non-technical ones like legal and talent. These engineers build internal tools and act as security checks, ensuring safe and effective AI adoption across the entire organization.