Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
AI Is a Tool, Not a Strategy (VIDEO)
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Episode Description:
In this episode of Under The Surface, host Paul Zyla sits down with business strategist Becky Amble to unpack one of the biggest leadership challenges today: companies rushing into AI without knowing what problem they’re trying to solve.
Becky explains why artificial intelligence should never come before strategy, how leaders can avoid getting lost in the hype, and why assessment, process, and clarity must come first. From real-world examples of automation wins to lessons learned helping companies through growth, turnaround, and transformation, this conversation focuses on the human side of technology adoption.
If you’re a business leader trying to understand how AI fits into your organization without disrupting what already works, this episode will help you slow down, ask better questions, and make smarter decisions.
Guest Introduction:
Becky Amble is a business growth strategist and advisor who has spent her career helping companies improve performance, navigate change, and implement technology with purpose. Known for her practical, assessment-driven approach, Becky works with organizations to identify bottlenecks, improve processes, and use tools like AI to support real business goals — not replace them.
Key Takeaways:
- AI should support strategy, not replace it.
- Leaders must understand their processes before introducing new technology.
- Quick wins help teams build confidence in automation.
- Change management is often harder than the technology itself.
- Human judgment remains the most important part of decision-making.
- Growth starts with clarity about what the business is trying to achieve.
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Welcome to Under The Surface
0:40 Introducing Becky Amble
2:10 Why leaders feel pressure to “do AI”
4:00 AI as a tool, not a strategy
6:00 Starting with assessment and business goals
7:30 Finding quick wins and automation opportunities
10:20 Using AI to remove bottlenecks
11:30 Real client example: sales automation
13:00 Following a process instead of chasing tools
15:00 Change management and employee concerns
16:30 Human intelligence vs artificial intelligence
18:30 How jobs will change, not disappear
20:30 Competitive intelligence and AI
24:00 Accuracy, prompts, and data quality
27:30 Governance and leadership responsibility
31:00 Who should lead AI decisions
33:30 Why Becky cares about helping businesses
36:00 The accident story and life mission
38:00 Final leadership reflections
End: Closing remarks
Keywords:
Under The Surface podcast, Paul Zyla, Becky Amble, AI strategy, business leadership, artificial intelligence in business, change management, automation strategy, digital transformation, leadership decisions, business growth strategy, process improvement, executive leadership, AI adoption
Pull Quotes:
“AI is a tool — but if you don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish, it won’t save you.”
“Before you add technology, get clear on the business. That’s where real progress starts.”