When you need to pitch an AI initiative to leadership
The Move
Lead with the business case, not the technology. Anchor to credible third-party data.
The Script
"I've been researching how AI can improve [specific process]. Harvard and Stanford research shows teams using AI produce top-10% ideas three times more often. Here's a 30-day pilot I've scoped that would let us test this with low risk and measurable outcomes."
Your AI Prompt
Draft a 60-second executive pitch for implementing AI in [process/department]. Include: one Harvard or Stanford stat on AI productivity, a specific 30-day pilot scope, three measurable success criteria, and a risk-mitigation statement. Tone: confident, data-anchored, zero buzzwords.
Why This Works
Sadun, Lakhani & Dell'Acqua (HBS, 2025) ran a field experiment at P&G: ideas in the top 10% were three times more likely to come from AI-augmented teams. Microsoft's 2026 Work Trend Index (20,000 workers) found organizational factors account for 67% of AI's impact — manager modeling alone added +17pp perceived value. Leading with these anchors makes you the person who brought the evidence, not the one asking for permission.
Research Behind This Move
AI in 2026: From Adoption to Agentic
Neeley, Riley, Sadun, Lakhani, Dell'Acqua, Paulson, Groysberg et al. · Harvard Business School Working Knowledge · February 2026
Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier
Dell'Acqua, McFowland, Mollick et al. · HBS Working Paper / Organization Science · 2023 (updated 2026)
Work Trend Index 2026
Microsoft · Microsoft Research · 2026