The AI Value Playbook

“Unlock the secrets of rapid AI implementation with this indispensable guide by Lisa Weaver-Lambert. Drawing from expert insights, this essential resource reveals how to harness storytelling and alignment, create an engaging environment for communication, build trust, invest in continual learning, and focus on strategic alignment. With a writing style that’s both concise and compelling, Lisa shows you how to turn AI into a game-changer for your organization – not just a buzzword. Dive in and discover the formula for success.”

— John Winn, Managing Director at Blackstone

“I cannot think of another source where so many AI examples are compiled into one book. I think this is a must read for anyone who wants to learn the history, creation, and, more importantly, ideas of AI to apply to the reader’s own journey. As a leader in the technology industry, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative potential of AI, but also the critical importance of using it responsibly and securely. The AI Value Playbook offers a roadmap to maximize its potential. We can only adapt and change when we listen, and in this book there are many voices across geographies and industries. I highly recommend it.”

— Kelly Bissell, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft

“The AI Value Playbook is valuable for organisational leaders who are seeking to improve productivity by driving value from data and AI. The AI Playbook offers a powerful guide to help companies master AI concepts, overcome the inevitable obstacles, and learn from real-world examples of applied AI.”

— Soumitra Dutta, Peter Moores Dean and Professor of Management, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“In an era where data is the lifeblood of success, The AI Value Playbook stands out as the essential guide for companies navigating the transition to an AI operating model. Busy users can leverage chapters for quick reference, while even advanced users will find it valuable as a source of clear explanations for colleagues and friends. Lisa unpacks success strategies, weaving insights with captivating case studies that provide executives with actionable mental models. The book offers a structured approach for initiating, measuring, and adapting AI projects, acknowledging the iterative nature of ROI. Executives seeking AI-driven growth will find it a must-read, with practical guidance and a strategic framework for implementation, including the critical development of talent. It breaks the mold of the typical executive-focused reads. It’s an indispensable ally for business leaders that will leave you inspired and informed.”

— Bogdan Crivat, Corporate Vice President, Azure Data Analytics, Microsoft

“At Race Capital, we invest in transformative technologies. The AI Value Playbook isn’t just about technology. It’s about empowering people. You’ll discover how to integrate AI to future-proof your business and empower your workforce. The AI Value Playbook is your practical guide and roadmap to unlocking the power of AI for your business inspired by real-word case studies.”

— Alfred Chuang, General Partner at Race Capital, Silicon Valley’s most passionate CEO Coach, Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of BEA Systems

“The AI Value Playbook offers a clear-eyed view of how AI is transforming industries. Lisa’s actionable framework, combined with real-world case studies, empowers leaders to navigate the complexities of AI integration and release its potential for sustainable growth. A great read for business leaders looking to develop a strategic roadmap to leverage AI for increased efficiency and competitiveness.”

— Pegah Ebrahimi, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at FPV Ventures

“In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, AI is no longer a future possibility, but a present necessity. The AI Value Playbook offers a clear roadmap for business leaders to navigate the exciting world of AI and transform it into a strategic advantage for our organizations. Lisa’s insights and real-world examples across industries and geographies are invaluable for anyone looking for practical techniques to implement AI and drive positive results. If you’ve questioned your company’s ability to innovate - or stay relevant - in an era of exponential technological growth, this book is a must-read.”

— Guglielmo Angelozzi, CEO, Lottomatica Group

“The AI Value Playbook is a roadmap for CEOs to leverage AI to future-proof their organization. Lisa combines insightful analysis with practical case studies, demonstrating the importance of data management and how AI can drive efficiency, accelerate innovation, and unlock new markets. This book is a critical resource for any organization looking to scale with AI and secure a competitive advantage in the years to come.”

— Sajjad Jaffer, GrowthCurve Capital; Ex Co-Founder, Two Six Capital

“The AI Value Playbook equips board members with the knowledge, practical tools, and competitive edge needed to provide the vital leadership required to successfully navigate the transformative potential of AI. By providing insights from real-world case studies spanning hugely diverse organizations, the book reveals how AI can disrupt and redefine industries, driving increased productivity, cost optimization, and long-term growth. It also tackles the gap between AI’s promise and its practical impact, addressing internal organizational barriers. Most importantly, the book equips boards with a practical framework distilled from practitioners that have the bruises and scars from deploying AI in businesses, guiding board members to ask the right questions of their organizations throughout the AI transformation.”

— Sanjeevan Bala, Independent Non-executive Director (Bakkavor, SThree) | Group Chief Data & AI Officer | AI Board Advisor

“In the fast-paced world of private markets in which I work, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. The AI Value Playbook offers a clear-eyed view of how AI is transforming industries. Lisa’s actionable framework, combined with real-world case studies provides a much needed personal, story-telling approach to a topic that’s understandably exciting yet for many, can feel overwhelming to truly understand. Her deeply humanistic and practical guide empowers business leaders to identify high-potential AI applications. This book is a valuable guide on the challenges and transformative power of AI that speaks directly to the non-technical business leader.”

— Alice Murray, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, The Line. Head of Content and Communications, Alpha Group

“ Lisa is an ex-colleague of mine at Microsoft and I respect her opinions. Also, I suspect like a lot of you, I have mixed feelings about the current AI boom: I can see the value in AI but I can also see the vast amount of hype and the obviously ridiculous claims being made. More than anything I see senior executives talking confidently about a subject I’m sure they don’t understand, and that is clearly a big problem. This book aims to help solve that problem by providing a practical guide to AI for non-technical leaders, in the form of a series of case studies and interviews with entrepreneurs and C-level people in the AI space. This is a very readable book – Lisa has talked to a lot of interesting, knowledgeable people – and the format makes it a lot more palatable for the target audience of your boss’s boss’s boss than your average tech book. As a technical person who isn’t by any means an AI expert I also enjoyed reading it.”

— Chris Webb, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft