Schedule a Demo

← Back to Podcast

Episode 6 January 8, 2026 37 min

Fortune 500 AI Playbook

After working with dozens of Fortune 500 clients, Helena Ristov reveals why 70% of enterprise AI projects never escape pilot purgatory. Discover the exact prioritization framework that depoliticizes AI decisions, why strong prototypes fail at production scale, and the one CFO metric that actually matters. Learn how treating governance as design thinking—not compliance theater—helps companies scale AI faster by slowing down to build trust into their foundations.

Most enterprise AI initiatives never escape pilot purgatory. After working with dozens of Fortune 500 clients at Protiviti and Capgemini, Helena Ristov has identified the exact patterns separating companies that scale AI successfully from those stuck running endless proof-of-concepts.

In this episode (recorded as 2025 came to a close), Helena breaks down the practitioner’s playbook for moving from AI experimentation to measurable business impact including why strong prototypes fail at scale, how to prioritize competing use cases, and why governance should be treated as design thinking rather than compliance theater.

Originally published on Future of Agentic.

Chapters

  1. 0:00 Introduction and Helena's Background
  2. 3:15 AI Innovation Studios Validation Process
  3. 8:42 Trust and Governance in Enterprise AI
  4. 14:20 From Experimentation to Production Execution
  5. 21:35 Measuring Value Through Net Operating Margin
  6. 26:50 Value vs Complexity Prioritization Framework
  7. 32:15 Governance as Design Thinking Enabler
  8. 38:40 Future of Enterprise AI Evolution
  9. 44:25 Assistive vs Agentic AI Deep Dive
  10. 50:10 Building Consensus Among Competing Stakeholders
  11. 54:30 Key Takeaways for AI Success

Guests & Hosts

Helena Ristov Guest
AI Innovation Studios and Gen AI Centers of Excellence Expert, Protiviti/Capgemini

Helena Ristov is a distinguished leader in AI innovation and generative AI strategy, currently driving transformative initiatives as an AI Studios and Gen AI Centers of Excellence expert at Protiviti/Capgemini. With deep expertise in emerging technologies and strategic AI implementation, she helps organizations navigate complex digital transformation challenges and unlock the potential of cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions. Helena is recognized for her thought leadership in bridging technical capabilities with business value, guiding enterprises in developing sophisticated AI strategies that drive meaningful operational and competitive advantages.

Paul Brzozowski Host
Founding Team Member, Olakai

Paul Brzozowski is a seasoned technology and product leader with extensive experience in building innovative digital solutions. As a founding team member at Olakai, he brings deep expertise in strategic product development and emerging technology implementation. With a track record of driving transformative digital initiatives, Paul is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex business challenges and create meaningful user experiences.

Ready to measure your AI?

See how Olakai helps enterprises prove ROI, govern risk, and scale AI confidently.

Schedule a Demo

More Episodes

Breaking Through Voice AI Accuracy Barriers - Enterprise AI Unlocked Podcast
Episode 5

Breaking Through Voice AI Accuracy Barriers

with Justin Foster 36 min
Systems Thinking and Strategic AI Deployment - Enterprise AI Unlocked Podcast
Episode 4

Systems Thinking and Strategic AI Deployment

with David Wood 56 min
Strategic AI Deployment for Private Equity and Venture Capital - Enterprise AI Unlocked Podcast
Episode 3

Strategic AI Deployment for Private Equity and Venture Capital

with Meshach Amuah-Foster 37 min