You Can't Paddle Into A 100-Foot Wave. You Can't Incrementally Adopt AI, Either.
Enterprise AI adoption isn't an upgrade—it's a categorical shift. Incremental strategies are already failing.
Why it matters
Strategic commentary on why traditional phased AI adoption approaches are fundamentally misaligned with the scale of transformation required, drawing parallels to how disruptive technologies demand wholesale operational redesign rather than incremental optimization.
The key facts
8 to knowArgument: incremental AI adoption mirrors failed wave-riding strategy
Thesis: enterprise transformation requires categorical shift, not paddling harder
Analogy: tow-in surfing as model for radical capability enablement
Target audience: enterprise strategy leaders and transformation officers
Analogy: Big wave surfing required tow-in innovation, not harder paddling
Core thesis: Incremental AI adoption insufficient for enterprise scale
Forbes contributor perspective on organizational transformation
Published April 24, 2026
Go to the source
Forbes Innovationforbes.com
Publisher excerpt: Big wave surfers didn't ride 60-foot waves by paddling harder — they invented tow-in surfing. Enterprise AI adoption requires the same categorical shift.