70% of AI transformation failures have nothing to do with the tech.
I just got back from AI Expo Europe, and here's what the smartest people in the room were obsessed with: not the future of AI, the future of humans.
Here's why that matters:
AI is infrastructure now. Not a trend, not a "nice to have." But what separates winning brands from everyone else? They don't use AI to replace people—they use it to amplify their best ones.
One speaker nailed it: "70% of transformation problems aren't technical. They're human."
That line hit me hard because it’s what I see very often, teams paralyzed not by lack of tech, but by lack of clarity.
👀 Quick Insight
AI will not make you more strategic.
It will, however, free up the hours you need to think strategically.
Use it to remove friction, not replace people.
Because when humans focus on the right things, judgment, creativity, connection, everything compounds faster.
🧠 Deep Dive - Where AI Is Actually Paying Off
At the Expo, there was one theme that cut through the hype: stop chasing features, start building workflows.
“AI features are easy. Sustainable ROI comes from workflows humans own.” Speaker from UIpath
Here’s where we’re seeing real ROI, backed by data and client results:
1️⃣ AI Video: Turning “Expensive” Into Efficient
Amazon’s data still shocks me - product videos can reduce return rates by up to 40%.
That’s not just a stat; it’s a margin revolution.
➡️ Let’s do the math:
If your average return costs you $10 and you process 1,000 a month, that’s $10K burned.
Cut that by 40% with simple demo or testimonial videos, and you’re saving $4,000/month, before counting higher conversion rates.
With AI video tools, you can now:
Generate scripts + voiceovers in minutes
Repurpose UGC or photos into explainer clips
Translate and localize for global audiences instantly
The smart play?
Start with your highest-return SKUs or service pages and roll out 15–20s clips showing real people, real benefits.
Human review keeps it authentic; AI keeps it scalable.
2️⃣ AI Hiring: Recruiting at the Speed of Relevance
Hiring was another hot topic at the Expo and surprisingly practical.
One quote stuck with me:
“The biggest risk in AI is not bias. It’s boredom, hiring people who all think the same.” (p.29–30)
Here’s what’s working for us at ScaledOn
AI pre-screens applicants for baseline fit, skills, availability, and role alignment.
Our managers focus on culture and soft-skill signals that no algorithm can read: curiosity, communication, and accountability.
AI then analyzes every stage of the interview and, combined with DISC profile compatibility, helps us identify the candidates who best match our culture, expected performance level, and the right balance of hard and soft skills.
It’s not about replacing hiring judgment, it’s about giving our people better data to make smarter, faster, and more human decisions.
In our own ScaledOn hiring, this approach cut candidate review time by nearly 60% and reduced bad fits by almost half.
Think of it as automation for your talent pipeline, we’re still building real relationships, but without drowning in resumes or endless screening calls.
➡️ Bonus: The same logic now powers how we qualify clients.
AI triages inbound inquiries → humans close.
Different funnel, same principle: AI filters for fit, humans build the trust.
3️⃣ The HAI Marketing Wheel: Strategy Meets Systems
The Expo unveiled a model called the HAI (Human + AI) Marketing Wheel, and it’s the most realistic framework I’ve seen for using AI in marketing.
Here’s the breakdown:
1. Human Strategy: set brand voice, goals, and message clarity.
2. AI Systems: handle data, testing, and execution at scale.
3. Feedback Loop: humans interpret, refine, and evolve.
Brands that applied this saw +35% conversions on the same traffic, not from more spend, but from more signal.
At ScaledOn, we’re adapting this Wheel into every growth program:
AI surfaces what works across ads or SKUs
Humans interpret and decide what story to double down on
The next cycle runs smarter
That’s how we outlearn your competitors, not just outspend them.
🧭 Final Thought
AI doesn’t remove the human element, it magnifies it.
The better you know your customer, your data, and your team, the more AI will amplify your edge.
As one speaker said:
“The future isn’t automated — it’s augmented.”
Let’s scale smarter,
-Iulia
