The AI Mirror: The Dotcom Bubble's Second Act

**Episode Description** *Are organisations repeating the same mistakes they madeduring the dotcom boom?* In this episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host Kiran Kachela and Marcus Robbins explore why many organisations are approaching AI as if it were a traditional IT project, despite decades of lessons from digital transformation initiatives. AI may be the latest technological wave, but the challenges holding organisations back remain strikingly familiar: unclear goals, weak organisational learning, poor data foundations, and a focus on technology over value creation. Together, they unpack why AI is more than a technology programme, how old transformation habits are slowing progress, and what leaders should do differently to turn AI ambition into genuine business value. In this episode, we cover: · Why many organisations are treating AI like the dotcom era's race to get online, repeating familiar transformation mistakes · Why AI transformation should be viewed as an enterprise-wide transformation, not simply a technology implementation · The cultural change required for successful AI adoption and why technology alone is not enough · How organisations are aiming for large-scale AI outcomes before building the foundations needed for success · The importance of organisational learning and capability building in AI programmes · Why decades-old data challenges, including quality, consistency, governance and the "single customer view", continue to undermine transformation efforts · How AI amplifies existing data problems and can turn them into enterprise-wide risks · The impact of ROI anxiety, governance concerns, and a lack of suitable evaluation frameworks on AI progress · Why isolated pockets of AI excellence are not enough without broader organisational capability · A practical perspective on where AI should create value: making work better, doing work differently, and enabling entirely new forms of work. **About Our Guest**  Marcus Robbins - Founder and CEO of Everything Adaptive. A consultant, thought leader, author, and public speakerwith three decades of experience, Marcus is renowned for his ability to communicate complex topics and drive innovation. He is committed to empowering organisations to navigate change and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. As a dynamic disruptor and innovator with deep expertise in strategy and organisational culture, Marcus excels at driving transformation, developing new perspectives, building compelling value propositions, establishing leading consulting practices, and delivering breakthrough performance. Over the course of his career, including key leadership roles at Fujitsu, Microsoft, and Capgemini, Marcus has challenged convention, nurtured new behaviours, and driven and inspired breakthrough performance. **Follow us on:**  Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt  TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt  YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt    **Want to get involved?**  To ask Kiran a question, be a guest, or sponsor an episode, visit our website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com.