In the face of skepticism towards generative AI, we’ve gathered insights from experts, including marketing managers and growth marketers, to shed light on overcoming resistance. From fostering a co-innovation culture to turning skepticism into AI acceptance, these leaders reveal how they’ve successfully navigated initial doubts and cultivated organizational support for AI initiatives.
Fostering a Co-Innovation Culture
We launched a Creativity Fusion project to overcome skepticism about generative AI. Our creative team and AI developers worked together directly in cross-departmental sessions that we sponsored.
Instead of portraying AI as an independent entity, we showed it as a collaborator that enhances human creativity. This dynamic partnership resulted in innovative campaigns that skillfully combined human creativity with AI-generated features. We changed the narrative from one of fear of displacement to one of the joys of expanded skills by emphasizing the relationship between technology and artistic expression.
This strategy not only broke down the opposition but also promoted a co-innovation culture in which team members actively looked for ways to integrate AI for its enriching effects. The collaborative initiatives’ success stories served as a driving force behind the general acceptance of the strong partnership between marketing creativity and generative AI.
Durgesh Maurya
Marketing Manager, IGP.com
Communicate AI’s Creative Freedom
Changing perceptions around AI entails addressing not the “what,” but the “why” first. At its best, AI reduces time spent on low-value or repetitive tasks. Removing those time constraints frees humans up to think more creatively and dig deep on critical-thinking tasks—and that’s something to get excited about if communicated clearly. Introducing AI workflows should be framed around the new possibilities they create; otherwise, your team will simply hear “more work” when discussing the time saved.
It’s also crucial to spend real time listening to the perspective and concerns of your team; it sounds simple, but good AI leaders listen before asking to be heard.
Amanda Lutz
Innovation Manager, Home Solutions
Show Real-World AI Applications
When introducing generative AI into any organization, it’s common to encounter initial skepticism, given how new and polarizing it is. To change perceptions and gain buy-in, focus on providing clear “real-world examples” of how Generative AI can improve specific aspects of your business.
Only by demonstrating that there are practical applications where GenAI can improve your business needs will you gain buy-in with most people who are waiting to see how GenAI develops before diving in.
Joe Kevens
Founder and Director of Demand Gen, B2B SaaS Reviews
Overcome Fear with Hands-On Experience
When I first introduced generative AI into our workflow, there was this fear of AI “taking over” and a reluctance to learn a new tool. I started with education and hands-on experience. I organized a workshop to break down how generative AI works, its benefits and its limitations.
I then started a pilot project. We used AI for a low-stakes task, giving the team a chance to see its efficiency and creativity in action. It wasn’t about replacing human input but augmenting it. Once the team experienced how AI could enhance their work and spark creativity, the skepticism turned into enthusiasm. It’s about showing the value of AI.
Zephyr Chan
Founder and Growth Marketer, Better Marketer
Turn Skepticism Into AI Acceptance
When we first introduced generative AI at Content Whale, the reaction was mixed, especially among our graphic designers and writers. Our graphic design team initially saw generative AI as a threat.
Mike, one of our senior designers, voiced a common fear: “Is this going to make us obsolete?” He was skeptical about AI’s ability to match human creativity. We organized a session where the designers used AI to generate basic design layouts. Rumit, the creative head, shifted his perspective when he realized AI could speed up his workflow, handling routine tasks while he focused on the more intricate, creative aspects. He said, “It’s like having an assistant who does the grunt work for me.” Over time, as the team saw the practical benefits, their skepticism turned into acceptance.
The writers were initially doubtful about AI’s ability to capture the nuances of human emotion and storytelling. Nikita, one of our content creators, remarked, “How can a machine understand the subtleties of language and context like a human?” We encouraged the writers to use AI for initial drafts and research.
Sarah’s turning point came when she used AI to overcome writer’s block. She fed a few prompts into the AI tool, and the suggestions it generated helped her see the topic from a different angle. “It’s not replacing my creativity; it’s enhancing it,” she realized. Gradually, the writers started appreciating AI as a collaborative tool, helping them be more productive and creative.
Bhavik Sarkhedi
Growth Head and CMO, Content Whale
Image: Canva
