The first wave of AI caught many organizations off guard. Employees experimented quietly, policies lagged behind, and risk teams scrambled to keep up.
But the second wave will be different—not because the technology slows down, but because leaders now have the chance to be proactive.
This post isn’t about resisting AI. It’s about preparing for what’s next—so your company doesn’t just play catch-up again.
From Experiments to Embedded Use
We’ve moved past the novelty phase. AI is no longer just a chatbot in the corner. It’s showing up:
- Inside email and spreadsheet apps
- Embedded in CRMs and code editors
- Recommended by vendors as default features
The next wave won’t ask for permission. It will be built into the tools your teams already use.
That means “pilot project” thinking won’t cut it anymore. AI governance has to be baked in, not bolted on.
Four Shifts Every Organization Must Make
Here are some ideas on actions organisations must make to prepare for the next AI wave, along with some examples on how these were done in practice.
- From Policies to Practice
Most AI policies look great on paper—and fail in real life. To bridge the gap:
• Turn compliance from a burden into a habit
• Make policies visible where work happens
• Use real-time nudges, not just PDFs
AstraZeneca’s ethics-based AI audit involved a structured program over 12 months, integrating governance into real workflows—not just policy. It included continuous communication, alignment across teams, and baseline performance measurement. A real turning point from policy PDFs to operational compliance. - From Tool Bans to Behavior Design
Blanket bans don’t stop usage—they just drive it underground. Instead:
• Identify acceptable uses, not just risks
• Design workflows that support good behavior
• Offer sanctioned tools employees actually want to use
Johnson & Johnson initially ran nearly 900 GenAI projects under centralized governance but found only 10–15% delivered meaningful value. They pivoted to empowering business units with decision-making authority and adopting tools that users actually want—focusing on behavior design over strict bans. - From Annual Training to In-the-Moment Learning
One-off workshops don’t change behavior. Embed education into daily tools:
• Flag risky prompts or uploads as they happen
• Offer policy context without interrupting flow
• Track who’s learning, not just who attended training
PwC’s Global AI Academy has trained over 90% of its workforce in prompt design and responsible AI use, backed by a proprietary internal chatbot deployed across 270,000 employees. This approach embeds action-based learning directly into daily work. - From Security Alone to Shared Ownership
AI risk isn’t just an IT or compliance issue—it’s everyone’s job.
• Involve department heads in defining acceptable use
• Make it easy for employees to ask questions or flag gray areas
• Build a culture of responsible experimentation
Accenture implemented a Responsible AI Compliance Program that involves multidisciplinary teams—from engineers to legal—that oversee risk assessments, procurement, testing, and ongoing monitoring. By linking governance structures to every function, responsibility is shared, not siloed.
The Case for Preparing Now
The McKinsey “Superagency” survey confirms that while AI adoption is rising, the biggest barrier remains leadership readiness. Organizations preparing leaders and embedding governance early outperform those relying solely on experimentation.
Waiting means:
- Employees adopt faster than your policies can respond
- Sensitive data leaves your perimeter without detection
- Leadership loses credibility when enforcement feels inconsistent
Preparing means:
- You keep trust with regulators, partners, and employees
- You retain speed without sacrificing safety
- You build organizational muscle memory before a crisis hits
Where Tripwire Fits In
Tripwire helps organizations prepare not just with policy—but with practice.
It runs quietly in the background, watching how employees interact with AI tools and nudging them when something crosses a risk line.
It’s a new layer of defense—not at the perimeter, but at the point of use.
The next wave of AI won’t wait. But your organization can be ready.
Want to see how forward-thinking teams are turning policy into practice?
- Learn more about our solution through the post: Introducing Tripwire
- Apply for early access and get our exclusive whitepaper
- Or just follow along as we explore how to make AI use at work safer, smarter, and more human