Design Your AI Strategy for Human Behavior  

To successfully implement AI in your organization, you need more than technical specs—you need a behavioral strategy. Here’s how to align AI with how people actually think and work.  

Design for real users, not ideal ones. Don’t just optimize for seamlessness. Sometimes a little friction leads to better outcomes, like making users slow down and catch errors. Build tools with behavioral patterns in mind, not just efficiency. Beta-test with diverse users and iterate based on how people actually use your tool. Encourage input from behavioral experts, and create space for honest feedback to challenge “inventor’s bias” and uncover blind spots. 

Ease adoption by addressing trust and control. Even great tools can fail if people don’t trust them. Frame AI as a helper, not a threat. Normalize its flaws by showing that it makes mistakes just like humans do, and be transparent about how it works. People are more likely to engage with AI when they understand its limits and feel they’re still in control. 

Manage AI like a change initiative. Don’t assume success. Leaders need to recognize their own blind spots and avoid throwing money at failing tools. Invest in behavioral training, define success with user-centric metrics, and be ready to pivot. When something isn’t working, adapt or move on.