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October 9, 2025 35 mins

CHRONICLE 218

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast

Beyond the AI Pilot | Why 95% of Artificial Intelligence Initiatives Fail & How Visionary Leaders Get It Right

 

INTRO |

Welcome back to The Visionary Chronicles, the podcast that explores the minds and methods of history's greatest visionary leaders. I'm your host, and today we're tackling one of the most critical challenges facing business leaders right now: the staggering failure rate of AI initiatives.

Today's episode draws insights from my new book, "The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of The World's Greatest Visionaries," which is on sale now. We'll connect timeless visionary leadership principles with the urgent need to implement AI successfully in your company.

Here's a sobering statistic that should make every leader pause: a recent MIT study found that 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing. Let me repeat that—95%. Despite enterprises investing $30 to $40 billion in AI, the vast majority of these initiatives yield no measurable business return.

But here's what's fascinating: it's not the technology that's failing. It's leadership. And that's actually good news, because while you can't always control technology, you can absolutely control how you lead. Today, we're going to explore why most AI initiatives fail and, more importantly, how visionary leaders are getting it right.

 

Why do 95% of AI projects fail while only 5% succeed? In this insightful episode of The Visionary Chronicles, Bryan Smeltzer uncovers the critical leadership principles that separate visionary leaders from the rest. Discover why AI success isn’t about technology—it’s about vision, strategy, and empowering your team to drive sustainable growth and transformation.

 

Drawing from his Amazon #1 bestselling book, “The Visionary Leader: The Success Principles of the World’s Greatest Visionaries”, Bryan reveals actionable steps to integrate AI into your brand strategy. Learn how to align AI with your long-term vision, foster a culture of innovation, and avoid the costly mistakes that derail most organizations. With real-world examples, strategic insights, and proven principles from leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, this episode is your roadmap to turning AI into a competitive advantage.

 

Whether you're a brand leader, entrepreneur, or innovator, this episode equips you with the tools to navigate today’s AI revolution and build an adaptive, future-focused organization. Join the discussion, unlock your brand’s potential, and be part of the 5% who turn challenges into opportunities.

 

Let’s shape the future together. Watch now, share your thoughts, and keep innovating toward excellence!

 

#visionaryleadershipprinciples #aiimplementationstrategies #aiimplementationchallenges #aiimplementationchallenges #successfulaiimplementation

 

CHRONICLES |

00:00 - Introduction

01:28 - Why 95% of AI Initiatives Fail

08:07 - Reasons for AI Project Failures

12:49 - Visionary Leadership in AI Success

14:01 - Importance of Vision in AI

16:03 - Understanding the AI Landscape

17:54 - Building Adaptive Learning Systems

21:55 - Measuring Success and Iteration

23:42 - Framework for Overcoming Failed AI Pilots

25:46 - Defining Success in AI Projects

28:11 - The 5% Success vs 95% Failure

30:21 - Addressing AI Challenges

32:43 - Upcoming Topics Next Week

33:14 - Book Recommendations

34:32 - Closing Remarks

 

----more----

 

If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to grab a copy of The Visionary Leader; The Success Principles of The World’s Greatest Visionaries. It’s available NOW wherever books are sold — and it’s the perfect companion if you’re looking to reignite your purpose, or lead with more clarity in a complex world.

Purchase | The Visionary Leader

As a thank you to my loyal podcast listeners and the visionary community we're building together, you can now grab the eBook version for just $1.99.

This book is the culmination of decades of research, experiences, and real-world insights into what makes leaders like Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and Elon Musk truly Visionary. Here’s what early readers are saying:

“A masterclass in leadership—this book doesn’t just inspire, it equips.” “A rare and practical guide to unlocking your v

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