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Most companies fail at AI, not because they lack the tech, but because they plan like it’s 2010.

AI initiatives evolve fast—and smart planning embraces that reality from the start. For senior executives, such as CEOs, CFOs, and COOs, scoping AI initiatives demands strategic intent balanced with adaptability.

The process of building AI, like a customized LLM chatbot for employees or customers, will likely uncover richer (existing) data sources and new opportunities. For example, healthcare projects often reveal unstructured patient notes, enhancing diagnostic models; manufacturing IoT logs may likely improve predictive maintenance; and added financial transaction metadata can help refine fraud detection.

However, legacy systems often resist flexibility and teams may struggle with shifting priorities.

Agile scoping, guided by backcasting, which envisions a future state and aligns actions backward, ensures projects deliver strategic value. This approach navigates known unknowns and unforeseen challenges.

Backcasting aligns every phase with your enterprise vision while preserving flexibility. A proven phased blueprint keeps AI efforts, such as LLM chatbot development, focused yet extensible. It blends structure with adaptability for complex demands.

If you’re serious about building something that lasts, you need a strategy that adapts as fast as AI does.

Okay, but before we dive into how that works, here’s something important you don’t want to miss.

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Here’s how it works:

• Phase 0: Discovery is not optional. Understand workflows, data sources, blockers, and human context before defining goals. For instance, a retailer’s supply chain analysis revealed inventory bottlenecks, redirecting the AI’s focus. This anchors your strategy in reality.

• Phase 1: Frame with flexibility. Define the first use case, like an LLM chatbot using existing APIs, aligned with future goals, but tag likely expansions, such as adding data sources or switching LLMs. Options include OpenAI’s GPT series for ease, Anthropic’s Claude for compliance, Llama for customization, or DeepSeek for cost efficiency. Good scoping builds in optionality, using a modular MVP with API wrappers to swap models based on cost, performance, or privacy needs.

• Phase 2+: Tight loops, fast learning. Push concepts into staging to identify integration challenges, such as API limitations. Refine with real-world feedback, planning for future API expansions to pipeline more enterprise data, like customer or operational records. That feedback is the gold, driving continuous improvement and extensibility.

This approach helps leadership guide AI toward real outcomes—without getting derailed as complexity grows.

Executive leadership in this approach drives transformative AI impact. 

In our next edition, we’ll explore how to unlock value by connecting AI to your raw data.

🗓️ Noteworthy Upcoming Events

AI Trends & News

Autonomous AI Agents Are Entering the Enterprise

AI agents are transitioning from experimental concepts to practical tools in enterprise environments. Companies like Johnson & Johnson and Moody's are deploying these agents to automate complex tasks, from enhancing drug discovery processes to conducting autonomous financial analyses. This shift signifies a move towards more efficient and responsive business operations. Read more—Wall Street Journal

Open-Source LLMs Gain Ground in Enterprises

Open-source large language models (LLMs) such as Llama 3 and DeepSeek are rapidly being adopted by enterprises seeking customizable and cost-effective AI solutions. These models offer flexibility and control, allowing businesses to tailor AI applications to their specific needs without relying on proprietary systems. Read more—Ajith Pradeep

Implementing the Federal AI Mandate

With OMB M-25-26 and EO 14110 driving action, federal agencies are shifting from AI experimentation to enterprise-scale adoption. Our latest guide covers how to align with these mandates, fund projects, and choose the right execution path using OTA and commercial-first strategies. Read the full guide —Sprinklenet

🔧 Legacy Spotlight

.NET Meets LLMs: Unlocking Value from Microsoft-Stack Systems

Enterprises with mature .NET applications don’t need to rip and replace to benefit from AI. Instead, they can layer in large language models (LLMs) to create smart extensions—without disrupting what already works.

⚙️ The Challenge

Many core enterprise systems—whether for finance, operations, or internal workflows—are built on .NET Framework or .NET Core. They’re reliable, deeply integrated, and often business-critical.

But they weren’t designed to:

• Interface with probabilistic, stateless models like LLMs

• Handle dynamic embeddings or vector search

• Support human-in-the-loop decisions across workflows

The opportunity is not to rebuild but to extend.

✅ What’s Working Now

Teams seeing results are

• Spinning up AI microservices (in Python or Node.js) that expose endpoints .NET apps can call securely, minimizing changes to core codebases.

• Using Azure OpenAI + Azure Functions to add LLM intelligence inside their Microsoft stack, complete with enterprise security features (RBAC, VNETs).

• Creating .NET-native wrappers for OpenAI or Cohere APIs, using libraries like HttpClientFactory for resilient, retry-safe integrations.

• Adopting Microsoft’s Semantic Kernel to embed orchestration, memory, and context handling directly into C# projects.

🚀 Why It Matters

This approach lets you:

• Enable natural language search across SQL Server or SharePoint data

• Deploy AI copilots inside existing CRM, HR, or policy tools

• Build secure RAG systems that stay entirely within your enterprise cloud

No rewrites. No long migrations. Just fast, modular upgrades that create rapid value with the options to scale later.

By layering AI intelligently, leaders can add a future-ready interface to legacy platforms, turning trusted systems into dynamic engines of productivity, insight, and innovation.

Not sure where to start with AI?

Let Jamie walk you through a personalized systems review tailored to your existing infrastructure.

✅ Discover where AI can add real impact

✅ Avoid common scaling mistakes

✅ Get clarity in one no-obligation call

👇🏼

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