Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about Apple falling behind in the AI race. So why would a company known for game-changing innovation seem slow in the fast-paced world of AI? The answer lies in Apple’s long-term strategy. Apple’s approach to AI is deliberate, with a focus on maintaining its core strengths: a vast, deeply integrated ecosystem and an unparalleled user experience. While other companies race to release AI features, Apple is playing the long game.

Much like raising a toddler, AI initiatives require a thoughtful balance of exploration, patience, and setting the right foundations for future success. The potential for both is vast but undefined at first—developing over time and in stages. Here are four lessons I’ve learned from parenting that can help guide your organization toward successful AI adoption.

Even the most sophisticated AI projects fall flat and drain resources if you don’t have a sound strategy, financial backing, technical infrastructure, and cultural alignment. We'll explore three pillars of AI readiness, why they matter, and how understanding them within your organization’s context can help you mitigate risk and accelerate the time-to-value of your AI investments.