What good AI sponsorship looks like.
"We'll invest in AI" appears in nearly every VCP. The pull-aways have a clearer thesis.
Good AI sponsorship is specific. "We'll invest in AI" appears in nearly every value creation plan today, but the pull-aways have a clearer thesis: which two functions get an AI-native rebuild in year one, which use case is the proof point, what EBITDA contribution is expected by year three, and what people, workflow, data, and governance changes are required to get there.
Most sponsors are still in the 95% on this — which means the CxO cannot wait for perfect sponsor direction before building the operating plan.
When sponsor direction is generic, build the AI thesis yourself. The board will hold you to the result either way. The CEO check: make sponsorship specific.