Top 5 Mistakes Leaders Make in AI & Data Strategy, And How to Fix Them with David Cohen

Convergence.fm

Leaders are under pressure to "do something with AI," but many end up making the same preventable mistakes that derail their data strategy before it starts. In this episode, Ashok sits down with David Cohen, founder of Superposition Strategy, to run a live workshop identifying the top five strategic missteps leaders make—and more importantly, how to avoid them. If you're leading or supporting a data or AI initiative, this episode is your tactical blueprint for getting it right.

You'll hear David walk through an interactive exercise designed to prioritize problems and focus on high-impact solutions. Together, he and Ashok unpack real-world examples from highly regulated industries, debate the role of data as a profit center, and share facilitation tactics that help teams speak up and make better decisions. Whether you're drowning in stakeholder expectations or trying to build buy-in, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to make your AI and data efforts more resilient—and more effective.

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Inside the episode...

• The 5 most common mistakes leaders make in AI and data strategy

• Why "no leadership buy-in" is the #1 killer of data initiatives

• The power of divergent thinking in early-stage problem framing

• What leaders get wrong about experimentation and timelines

• Real examples from healthcare, finance, and automotive sectors

• Why facilitation tools like silent brainstorming and dot voting matter

• How governance can unlock innovation—if you start early

• The hidden advantage small consultancies have with AI

• Using structured workshops to create shared understanding and focus

Mentioned in this episode

• LEGO Build Together sets

• Ford Labs, 99P Labs, Capital One Labs (innovation labs examples)

• Facilitation techniques (dot voting, silent ideation, Roman voting)

• David's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davcohen06/

• David's company: https://www.superpositionstrat.com/

• Superposition's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Superpositionstrat

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