Why AI transformation is a people problem

Today, we're joined by Geoff Livingston. Geoff helps organizations cut through AI hype and build systems that actually work, transforming both technology and teams. Over the past three years, he has guided Fortune 500 marketing departments and major trade associations through comprehensive AI transformation, from strategy development to workforce training that delivers measurable results. His clients include AT&T, Google, PayPal, Ford, and Verizon. He's been working with AI since 2018, and his clients typically see 10+ hours of weekly productivity gains and documented workflow improvements within 30 days. In this episode, Geoff makes the case that AI transformation is a problem of governance, not technology, and that why AI transformation projects fail almost always comes down to leadership, not the tools themselves. We also get into what frameworks guide successful AI adoption (Geoff's own Think Liquid framework from his book), and something most AI conversations skip entirely: how AI affects mental health, and what to do about it. Geoff runs a Substack called The Buzz and is the author of Now Is Gone, a book on the people and work required for AI transformation. He's also a lifelong storyteller, father, and runner. *"Nobody's gonna give a shit whether it's AI in five years. We're just gonna care about the quality of what we're given and whether it's accurate."* *~ Geoff Livingston, Founder, Generative Buzz* This episode will help you: - Determine how to integrate AI into your marketing workflow - Maintain your mental health while working in a space that is disrupted by AI changes - Think through AI adoption for your company and create a successful plan for managing the people part of transformation. - Be an AI user while actively maintaining your mental acuity and creativity **Connect with Geoff** - Visit his Substack, The Buzz - Learn more at generativebuzz.ai **Resources** Find mentioned resources on episode webpage. Send us Fan Mail **Here's how you can support this podcast if you’re enjoying the episodes and finding them useful:** **You can send me a donation at buymeacoffee.com/DMVpodcast. Any and all levels of donations are appreciated and will help offset the cost of producing the podcast. You should also** subscribe to our email list **so that you don't miss any news about the show or new episodes.** Get 15% off when you sign up today for PodUp or PodAllies with code \[DigitalMarketingVictories15]! Support the show **Leave Feedback** Your feedback matters to us! Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts on the podcast and how we can improve it. 👉 Leave feedback **Get In Touch** - Tweet us at @dmvictories - Email us at admin@wostrategies.com If you’d like to know more about change-makers in digital marketing, celebrate their wins, and discover how they built a breaking ground career, subscribe, share and comment on the Digital Marketing Victories Podcast. **Thank you for supporting our podcast!**