Are We Ready to Adopt AI?

Are We Ready to Adopt AI?

Part 1 of UWM’s Connected Systems Institute (CSI) + Cirrus Change Readiness “AI Readiness for Manufacturing” series

AI is quickly becoming a competitive necessity in manufacturing—but adoption is where most initiatives stall. Not because the technology fails, but because people, priorities, and execution rhythms aren’t aligned.

This workshop is designed specifically for the two roles that determine whether AI becomes real operational improvement—or another pilot that fades:

• P&L Sponsor: VP Operations / VP Supply Chain / Plant Manager / GM
• Digital “Shepherd”: Digital Transformation / Smart Factory / OT/IT Lead

Bring your partner

If only one function attends, the learning often dies in someone’s notes.
When Operations + Digital attend together, you leave with a shared language and shared next steps—so the effort survives Monday morning.

What this workshop is (and isn’t)

This is not a technology demo or a deep technical session.
It’s a practical, hands-on introduction to change readiness for AI adoption—the skills that help leaders reduce resistance, create momentum, and sustain use over time.

Facilitated by Cirrus Change Readiness experts Mel Starkweather and Joe Plasterer, sponsored by UWM CSI.

In this hands-on session, you will

You’ll learn and practice practical tools that help AI adoption stick:

• Define “what done looks like” (completion criteria) so success isn’t vague
• Build and validate a shared vision with the people impacted
• Identify common human and cultural barriers (misalignment, uncertainty, resistance) and how to address them
• Create a simple communication plan across the phases of change (initiate → manage → reinforce)
• Plan quick wins to build early credibility and momentum
• Learn reinforcement habits that keep adoption from fading after go-live

You’ll also work through case examples and peer discussion to create practical outputs you can take back to your organization.

Who should attend

This workshop is most valuable when attended as a pair:

• Ops/Supply Chain leader responsible for business outcomes
• Digital/OT-IT leader responsible for implementation and scaling

(You’re welcome to bring additional partners from Engineering, CI/Lean, Quality, or HR—Operations + Digital is the recommended core.)

Key Takeaways

Participants will leave with:

• A clearer understanding of why AI adoption stalls (and how to prevent “pilot purgatory”)
• A practical framework to prepare, manage, and reinforce adoption in real operations
• Tools to reduce human risk by increasing clarity, alignment, and follow-through:
• • Define Success (“done”)
  • Build/Validate the Vision
  • Plan Communication & Engagement
  • Create Quick Wins
  • Reinforce & Sustain

Ready to make AI adoption stick?

“Register now—and bring your partner so the plan doesn’t die in notes. When Ops + Digital learn it together, adoption actually sticks.”

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Cirrus Change