{"id":18027,"date":"2026-10-05T10:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-dialog.group\/blog\/ai-transformation-why-haphazard-growth-is-not-a-strategy\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T10:07:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:07:26","slug":"ai-transformation-why-haphazard-growth-is-not-a-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-dialog.group\/en\/blog\/ai-transformation-why-haphazard-growth-is-not-a-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Transformation: Why Haphazard Growth Is Not a Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Who is actually responsible for AI in your company? In many companies, this question first leads to the IT department, because that’s where licenses and software approvals are handled. Then it leads to the data protection department. And eventually, it becomes clear that there isn’t a single central point of responsibility. Every department has found its own applications. This is particularly evident in marketing, where AI has been in use early on and is highly visible. But it’s just one of many areas. In this article, we’ll show why AI transformation is a holistic endeavor: centrally managed, yet understandable to everyone and practical for everyday use. We’ll also discuss what the EU AI Act has to do with it and how companies can get started without slowing their teams down. This article is aimed at everyone who wants to work with AI or has been doing so for some time—from executive management down to the team level. Many want to deploy new tools quickly without burdening IT every time, and realize that a clear framework is missing for this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note: This article provides a practical overview and is not a substitute for legal advice. Legal status as of September 29, 2026, including the amendments made by the Digital Omnibus Act on AI (Regulation (EU) 2026\/1744).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\n

Why does uncontrolled growth occur so quickly during AI transformation?<\/h2>\n

It often starts with marketing. The content team needs a tool for text and images, the performance team works with the AI features of advertising platforms, and a chatbot answers inquiries on the website. Sales has quotes pre-drafted; HR seeks support with job postings and the pre-screening of applications; and customer service uses an assistant for standard inquiries.<\/p>\n

Each department looks for the tool that best suits its needs. That makes sense. The challenge arises because these decisions are made in a decentralized manner, and rarely does anyone have the full picture. The IT department sees the software ordered through it, but hardly ever the AI features in existing programs or personal accounts. Data protection<\/a> comes into play when personal data is involved. This leads to uncontrolled growth, usually without any malicious intent.<\/p>\n

This is where the real transformation begins. It’s less about the best tool and more about governance: Who decides what AI will be used for? What data is allowed in which systems? Who is held accountable when an AI result is incorrect or content goes online without the necessary labeling? Neither IT nor compliance can answer these questions on their own. They belong within a dedicated structure that specifically oversees this area.<\/p>\n

That’s why all the areas critical to a successful transformation need to be brought to the table: from senior management to line departments, IT, data protection, and compliance. This is the only way to achieve an AI transformation that works. If they work in isolation, either the teams will outpace the rules, or the rules will be so strict that employees will resort to using personal accounts. Both scenarios cost time and erode trust.<\/p>\n

Marketing is well-suited as a pilot area. Few other fields utilize AI so early on, in so many different ways, and with such high visibility to the outside world. What works here can be applied as a model to other areas.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\n

What framework does the EU AI Act establish for the AI transformation?<\/h2>\n

The EU AI Act regulates how artificial intelligence is developed and used in the European Union. Many obligations apply to providers of AI systems, but some apply to any company that uses AI. Today, two in particular are relevant for everyday life (Fig. 1):<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>

\n