Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant or theoretical concept for businesses in Ohio — and it’s no longer limited to software firms or global tech giants. AI is already reshaping how organizations operate, and according to Sarah Slavik, Chief Operating Officer at SkillSpout, the biggest threat today isn’t the technology itself.
“The real risk isn’t AI,” Slavik says. “It’s procrastination.”
As companies across Ohio experiment with automation and generative tools, Slavik warns that organizations choosing a “wait and see” approach may repeat the mistakes of past workforce transitions. This time, however, the pace of change is faster — and the margin for delay is much smaller.
“AI isn’t just a headline anymore,” she adds. “It’s a deadline.”
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Why Standing Still Has Become the Biggest Liability
Ohio’s economy has already experienced the consequences of delayed adaptation. Slavik points to the state’s manufacturing history as a reminder of how slow responses to technological shifts left many businesses struggling to recover.
Today’s challenge is even more complex. AI tools are evolving rapidly, often outpacing the ability of small and mid-sized organizations to keep up. Many lack the internal resources to establish governance, monitor usage, or dedicate teams to responsible adoption.
“When leaders don’t know where to start, uncertainty turns into paralysis,” Slavik explains. “And that’s how companies get left behind.”
At SkillSpout, the goal is to remove that barrier — ensuring organizations without enterprise-scale budgets can still participate in and benefit from the AI transformation.
Human-Centric AI: Technology Designed to Empower, Not Replace
Rather than positioning AI as a substitute for people, Slavik advocates for a human-centric approach to adoption. In this model, AI is treated as a tool that enhances human capability instead of eliminating it.
“AI doesn’t create value on its own,” she says. “It needs human judgment, creativity, and direction.”
In practice, this means helping employees use AI to eliminate repetitive tasks, speed up routine workflows, and free time for higher-impact work. Companies that prioritize upskilling often see unexpected benefits, including improved retention and healthier work-life balance.
“When organizations invest in their people, employees feel supported,” Slavik notes. “And that support leads to better outcomes across the board.”
Why CEO Buy-In Determines AI Success or Failure
One of the most common mistakes organizations make, according to Slavik, is treating AI as a departmental experiment rather than a leadership initiative. Research consistently shows that AI projects are significantly more successful when CEOs are actively involved.
“AI transformation can’t exist in a silo,” she explains. “It affects every part of the organization.”
SkillSpout addresses this through structured change management. The process begins with forming an AI transformation team made up of business leaders and early adopters. From there, companies establish governance frameworks, including acceptable-use policies and clearly defined AI applications.
Without these foundations, Slavik warns, even well-intentioned AI use can quickly become risky.
Addressing Fear and Resistance in the Workforce
Employee hesitation remains another major obstacle. Widespread headlines about automation replacing jobs have understandably fueled anxiety.
Rather than dismissing these concerns, Slavik emphasizes the importance of listening first. SkillSpout applies a people-centered change model that acknowledges fear before introducing possibility.
“When employees actually see what AI can do for them, perspectives change quickly,” she says.
She recalls working with a non-profit administrative assistant who had never used a large language model. By applying AI tools to a time-consuming task, the employee reduced several days of work to just a few hours — and soon became one of the program’s strongest advocates.
“When AI removes the work people dread, it creates space for more meaningful contributions,” Slavik explains.
Shadow AI: A Growing Risk Leaders Can’t Ignore
One of the most urgent challenges facing organizations today is shadow AI — employees using AI tools without formal approval or clear policies. According to Slavik, this is already happening in most companies, whether leadership realizes it or not.
“If there’s no policy, people are still using these tools,” she says. “And that creates serious data and security risks.”
Education and governance, she argues, are the strongest defenses. Teams need clear guidance on which tools are permitted, how data should be handled, and where boundaries exist.
A Practical First Step for Ohio Businesses
For leaders ready to take action, Slavik’s advice is straightforward: start now and take advantage of available resources.
Ohio businesses can leverage the state-funded TechCred program, which reimburses workforce training costs. SkillSpout’s Momentum AI program is fully covered under this initiative, allowing organizations to upskill employees with minimal financial risk.
“This isn’t just another software rollout,” Slavik says. “AI is a fundamental transformation — and it’s arriving faster than many expect.”
Her message to Ohio’s business community is clear: companies don’t need all the answers today, but they do need to begin. Waiting, she cautions, may ultimately prove to be the most expensive decision of all.
