Why business leaders need an AI-first mindset

Lessons from my conversation with XD Huang

In the latest episode of AI Now with Oracle, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Xuedong (XD) Huang, the CTO at Zoom, to explore how businesses can create an AI-first mindset and drive AI adoption.

This is such an important topic as generative AI is changing the pace of innovation. According to XD, the most successful organizations in the next decade will be those that integrate AI not as an add-on, but as a foundational layer in their strategy, operations, and culture. Or put another way, organizations that can implement an AI-first strategy have the best chance of succeeding in the future.

It was a fascinating conversation with key takeaways for every business leader.

AI as a creative companion

We talked about how AI is evolving from a tool into a companion. As XD noted, AI is redefining productivity. It’s helping teams move faster, explore more directions, and get from “meetings to milestone” in a fraction of the time. For product development, brand campaigns, and customer experience design, this means faster cycles, better insights, and more adaptive execution.

Business leaders looking to unlock the value of AI should ask themselves: Are we using AI to optimize what we already do, or are we reimagining what’s possible?

Building an AI-first culture

XD emphasized that adopting an AI-first mindset requires more than implementing tools—it demands a shift in how organizations think about creativity, capability, and talent. Teams need to be empowered not just to use AI, but to think with it. This, of course, means upskilling, but it also means giving teams the space and leadership support to experiment, refine, and build new muscles around continuous learning.

We also discussed the importance of keeping a human in the loop. AI can handle repetition and scale, but real differentiation comes from how humans direct it. The organizations that will win with AI will be those that combine human insight with machine capability in intentional ways. It’s not just about having the technology—it’s about having the vision to use it well.

Thinking AI-first to get ahead

For business leaders, the call to action is clear: Don’t wait. Start now. Identify where AI can save time, open new revenue streams, or create a competitive edge. And most importantly, lead the mindset shift yourself.

AI is already becoming as integral to day-to-day work as digital tools were 20 years ago. The difference now is speed. Organizations that hesitate may find themselves outpaced by players who are already leveraging AI not just to execute—but to reimagine and lead.

This isn’t about keeping up; it’s about staying ahead. And it starts with thinking AI-first.