You're facing conflicting stakeholder opinions on AI technology. How can you align them for project success?

UNDERSTAND! COMMUNICATE! RESOLVE! First, understand the underlying reasons for the disagreement. Communicate clearly and address stakeholders' specific concerns, whether they involve 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐈 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲. Provide tailored solutions to these issues and emphasize the core benefits of using AI, demonstrating how it aligns with the company's goals and enhances overall performance.

To align conflicting stakeholder opinions on AI technology for project success, it is crucial to facilitate collaboration among all parties involved. This involves creating an environment where open communication and mutual understanding are prioritized. Begin by identifying and mapping out all relevant stakeholders, including users, customers, employees, managers, regulators, and partners. Use clear, non-technical language to explain AI concepts and address concerns, ensuring that all stakeholders, regardless of their technical expertise, can participate meaningfully.

1. **Facilitate Open Dialogue: - Host structured discussions to openly address concerns, share perspectives, and clarify misunderstandings. Encourage stakeholders to express their views and listen to each other, fostering a collaborative environment. 2. Present Data-Driven Insights: - Use objective data and case studies to demonstrate the potential benefits and risks of the AI technology. Highlight successful implementations and relevant metrics to build a common understanding and support informed decision-making. 3. Find Common Goals: - Identify shared objectives and align the AI project’s goals with these overarching aims. Emphasize the mutual benefits and how the technology can address the needs of various stakeholders.

Bringing people on the same page starts with listening to them. Give them a chance to voice their opinions. Ask follow up questions to make sure you understood, and to show that you did in fact understand paraphrase what they told you. Once you feel like you understand your stakeholders and where they are coming from you can start to address the conflicting opinions. Are there opinions about things that can be explained with facts? Or are these opinions on expectations? Expectations alignment is one of the more difficult exercises. Make sure to clearly state what is possible. Note the expectations at the end and suggest to treat them as a contract between team members.