Video overview
Why this matters
Act as Pioneers
AI Champions are a small group that get upskilled, pilot tools, and lead the shift.
Make It Real
They turn ideas into outcomes and sustain momentum across adoption.
The Right Fit
The right fit accelerates adoption, the wrong one stalls momentum.
The Champion’s role
Champions are the hands-on advocates for AI within their teams. They:- Identify and test real use cases that align with business priorities
- Share practical wins and help peers adopt new workflows
- Contribute to a collective “learning loop” — what’s working, what’s not
- Model safe, responsible use of AI tools day-to-day
- Dedicate around 1–2 hours per week to structured exploration, check-ins, and sharing
What makes a great Champion
A strong Champion is:Curious and self-motivated
Experiments naturally and learns by doing.
Comfortable with change
Sees AI as opportunity, not threat.
Open and pragmatic
Shares both wins and blockers.
Trusted and influential
People already turn to them for help or tips.
Organised and reliable
Follows through and communicates clearly.
Champions do not need to be technical. Their credibility comes from how they
work, not what they code.
Who to avoid nominating
Our recommendations
To build a balanced and effective Champion group:Ensure representation across teams and levels
Ensure representation across teams and levels
Include people from different business units, functions, and seniority levels so AI adoption feels inclusive — not top-down.
Prioritise influence, not title
Prioritise influence, not title
Choose people who are trusted by their peers and naturally shape behaviour. Champions don’t need formal authority to create impact.
Mix levels of AI literacy
Mix levels of AI literacy
Select a blend of beginners, confident users, and early adopters — it creates peer learning and better cross-pollination.
Avoid AI sceptics or resistors
Avoid AI sceptics or resistors
The Accelerator is designed for upskilling, not convincing. Focus energy on those open to exploring and experimenting.
Include one 'connector'
Include one 'connector'
Aim to have at least one champion who links across multiple teams or projects — they often spot common use cases early.
Keep the group size lean
Keep the group size lean
Smaller, engaged groups work faster. You can always expand once early wins are visible.
How many to choose
The number of champions you can nominate is outlined in your contract.Selection process
Reach out to team leads and managers
Receive nominations. Ensure that the nominee has been informed of their potential participation in the accelerator program.
Champion expectations
| Rhythm | Time | Key responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Masterclass | 60 mins fortnightly | Learn and apply AI tools to live workflows |
| AI huddle | 30 mins fortnightly | Share progress, blockers, and new ideas |
| Weekly exploration | ~1 hr | Test tools and log outcomes in the AI backlog |
| Async updates | 10 mins weekly | Post “Tried / Learned / Adopted” notes in the champions chat |
How to introduce the role
Sample email to Champions:Welcome to the AI Champions Program 🚀
Hi everyone,Welcome to the AI Champions group — you’re part of a select team helping to lead the way in our Accelerator Program.As Champions, you’ll:
- Explore how AI can make real work simpler, faster, and smarter
- Share experiments, wins, and lessons across the business
- Act as a bridge between strategy and practice — turning good ideas into action
- Masterclasses every fortnight to learn and test new tools
- Team huddles to share what’s working (and what’s not)
- Chat updates for quick wins, new ideas, and opportunity alerts
Success looks like
- Each team has at least one engaged Champion posting regular updates
- Opportunity notifications are acknowledged and acted on quickly
- New AI workflows are shared through the champions chat
- Small, measurable productivity or quality improvements appear within 6–8 weeks