Why AI Adoption Feels Hard (And What Chick-fil-A and Elevators Can Teach Us)
What is ChatGPT Agent
Adopting AI in your business isn’t just a technical shift. It’s a cultural one. Yes, you have heard me talk about this at length.
If your team isn’t using AI regularly yet, you might feel behind. But let me ease your mind with two stories that have nothing to do with technology and everything to do with change.
Chick-fil-A and Two Words
Chick-fil-A is known for its hospitality. One of their signature touches? When you say “thank you,” their team replies with “my pleasure.”
But here’s the surprising part:
It took two years to get employees to say “my pleasure” instead of “thank you.”
That’s just two words. And it still took two years. Yes, you read that right.
Now think about AI, it’s not just a two-word change.
It’s a shift in how we think, how we work, and how we make decisions.
So if your team hasn’t adopted AI overnight, it’s not a failure.
It’s human nature.
The Elevator Operator Effect
When elevators were first introduced, people didn’t trust them.
The technology worked. The buttons were right there. But stepping into a box that moved by itself? Terrifying.
So, buildings hired elevator operators, not because people couldn’t press a button, but to reassure them.
The operator would stand beside you, ask for your floor, and ride with you, until people felt safe. Only then did they phase out the role.
This is where many teams are with AI.
The tool is there. The button works.
But your employees are still asking, “Is it safe to step inside?”
What These Stories Teach Us About AI Adoption
Both stories remind us:
Behavior change takes time. Trust takes even longer.
AI adoption isn’t about tools, it’s about mindset, trust, and comfort.
Here’s how you can guide your team through the transition:
1. Normalize discomfort
AI can feel intimidating or unnecessary at first. Reassure your team that it’s okay to fumble.
Say this:
“You’re not expected to master this overnight, you just need to be open to exploring.”
2. Anchor AI in your company values
People won’t adopt tech that they don’t believe aligns with their mission.
Say this:
“We’re not using AI to cut jobs. We’re using it to free up time for the work that truly matters.”
3. Appoint ‘elevator operators,’ your AI champions
Create a role or committee to guide others. Peer-to-peer support builds trust faster than top-down mandates.
Ask:
“Who’s curious and willing to help others try this out?”
4. Celebrate small wins
Spotlight anyone using AI effectively, even for small tasks.
Momentum spreads through recognition.
Try:
“Jane used AI to summarize reports this week and saved 3 hours. That’s a win!”
5. Make AI adoption a journey, not a one-time event
Just like the Chick-fil-A phrase or the elevator operator, behavior change needs repetition and reinforcement.
Build it into meetings. Give it air time. Encourage questions.
And most of all: be patient.
Change Happens at the Speed of Trust
AI adoption doesn’t start with tools.
It starts with belief. Confidence. Safety.
So don’t just give your team AI, give them a guide. (or a caddie)
And remember: it’s not about rushing the process.
It’s about creating a culture where AI feels like “my pleasure,” not a threat.
What is ChatGPT Agent?
ChatGPT Agent started rolling out last Friday. I keep refreshing my screen and logging in and out to get access. haha I can’t wait to play with this. As soon as I have it will provide my thoughts on it and use cases.
ChatGPT agent transforms ChatGPT from a conversational AI into a multistep task‑completing digital assistant. It integrates tools like Operator (web interaction), Deep Research (information synthesis), a terminal, and API connectors running autonomously on its own "virtual computer" under user control.
With “agent mode” enabled, the ChatGPT agent can:
Interact with websites: browse, click, log in, and fill out forms.
Run code via a terminal.
Pull data from connected apps (e.g., Outlook, Gmail, Calendar, GitHub).
Produce polished outputs: editable slides, spreadsheets, reports.
Yes, you need a human in the loop! It balances action with oversight, prompting for permission before major tasks, allowing interruptions, and maintaining a transparent “watch mode” safety layer.
How businesses can leverage ChatGPT Agent
1. Automate routine workflows
Monthly reports: scrape dashboards, compile data, reformat spreadsheets, and email stakeholders.
Travel bookings or procurement: identify options, fill forms, and stop before final purchase.
2. Hybrid research + action
Competitor insights: gather data, analyze trends, and auto-generate slide decks.
Sales enablement: summarize client meetings via Calendar + recent news before strategic calls.
3. Cross‑app orchestration
CRM or support workflows: pull data via Outlook/Gmail/GitHub APIs, act within browser workflows, produce deliverables.
Developer support: run code, analyze logs, generate technical docs or bug reports.
4. Interactive collaboration
It behaves like a junior teammate: ask it to pause, refine, rerun, or ask clarifying questions mid‑stream
Mobile notifications inform you upon completion of lengthy jobs
Safety & limitations
Built-in safeguards guard against high‑risk tasks: no sending emails or purchases without direct consent
Watch mode monitors for prompt injection, and sensitive website interactions are sandboxed and editable
Still early in reliability better suited for assistive, not mission-critical automation
Bottom line for businesses
The ChatGPT agent marks a structural leap moving past static conversation to a proactive collaborator that can research, act, and deliver on your behalf, with full transparency and control. It is a compelling solution for:
Turbo‑charge reporting, analysis, and content creation.
Streamline admin-heavy workflows with minimal development effort.
Bring AI as a functional teammate, elevating productivity while keeping human oversight central.
It’s best suited for repetitive or structured tasks, freeing up your team to focus on strategy, relationship-building, and high-value decisions.
https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-agent/
Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit Hackathon
We have plenty of volunteers and a good jump on use cases. Now we need sponsorships to sustain the build and maintenance of the MVP for the nonprofits. Our goal is $30k by August 15.
See our sponsorship levels here:
Nonprofits submit your use cases by August 1. Let us know if you need help completing the form. It takes less than 2 minutes. Happy to jump on a call with you to complete it. https://go.oncehub.com/kendraramirez
We are moving at the speed of AI with this incredible team from Disruption Now and many volunteers from the CincyAI community are leading an in person nonprofit hackathon on September 6.
The Future of Data Hackathon is a one-day event and the precursor to MidwestCon, bringing together teams of students and professionals to help Cincinnati-area nonprofits solve real technology and data challenges.
Use cases submit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iP8r1bPa5ztnDBObM8qavkUlGqsF80nZDNcGeOwKfm0/edit
2025 AI Adventures
New events are added weekly. Since our community spans over 32 states, we’re making it easier than ever for you to join the conversation from anywhere. These virtual sessions are designed to be interactive and packed with real use cases you can apply immediately.
August
August 5 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. SOLD OUT. In person only. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1344523669489?aff=oddtdtcreator
August 12 Miami Valley HR 11:15-1 in Dayton, OH https://mvhra.mightevent.com/events/event-Details.cfm?eventKey=8054
August 13 Crossroads Impact Summit for Nonprofits
September
September 2 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1344527079689?aff=oddtdtcreator
September 6 Nonprofit Hackathon- Nonprofits submit your use cases by Aug 1. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iP8r1bPa5ztnDBObM8qavkUlGqsF80nZDNcGeOwKfm0/edit
September 10-11 MidwestCon https://midwestcon.live/
This conference is gathering the top innovators, policymakers, creators, and visionaries from across the globe to tackle today’s emerging tech challenges.
September 18 Best in Tech Awards hosted by The Circuit from 5-9 pm https://thecircuit.net/event/best-of-tech-awards-2/
I love answering your AI questions. Feel free to message me.
Where AI and inspiration collide!
Kendra Ramirez
KendraRamirez.com
We provide AI Speaking and Training, AI Readiness Assessments, AI Strategy, AI roadmap and implementation, and AI Coaching for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofits.
**For those new to my work, I have been in tech my whole career. Over 15 years of running my digital agency (website, social media, and lead generation) and 7 years of helping businesses navigate AI. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of leading over 100 training and speaking sessions, empowering businesses to embrace the transformative potential of AI. My passion lies in simplifying complex technologies to help organizations grow, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
I am so excited that you are on this journey with me! Thank you! 🤗
I have been writing weekly about AI here for over two years. You can search all of my enewsletters here if you are looking to brush up on a certain topic. kendratech.substack.com