Companies are racing to invest in AI, chasing productivity gains, operational efficiency, and untapped insights. But without a well-defined strategy and an execution plan, those investments rarely translate into real impact.
In our latest podcast episode, Concord AI leaders Plamen Petrov, Hristo Aladjov, and Mudit Jindal break down what an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) really is and what a practical AI strategy looks like. They’re joined by Aubrey Northrup, who shares how to get started with AI, experiment confidently, and find practical ways to use tools in everyday work, even without a technical background.
AI is reshaping how organizations operate—from automating routine work to uncovering new opportunities for growth. But capturing that value doesn’t start with technology alone; it starts with a clear strategy, experimentation, and the ability to scale what works. Plamen says, “It's about building a system of learning and experimentation, and the translation of that learning into your organization.”
A strong AI strategy begins with understanding your business goals and identifying where AI can meaningfully support them. This involves scanning emerging AI capabilities, evaluating which ones align with real needs, and piloting solutions that can be tested quickly. Rather than treating AI as a standalone initiative, successful organizations weave these efforts into existing teams and processes so insights can be applied where they matter most. Plamen adds, “The goal is to upskill every consultant so AI is embedded in all our projects.”
AI tools are increasingly capable and can take on many of the repetitive or time-consuming tasks in your day-to-day work. But they aren’t domain experts, and they lack essential human abilities like judgment and critical thinking. That’s why human expertise remains central, not something to replace. As Hristo puts it, “You want to preserve your most valuable asset, which is the expertise within your domains. Your senior experts need a way to transfer this to your junior staff, and that’s not going to be fulfilled magically by an off-the-shelf language model.”
AI accelerators, like reusable code components, micro-demos, prompts, or workflow templates, help teams move from ideas to proof-of-concepts faster. They aren’t full solutions, but starting points that reduce friction and allow teams to validate value early. Because many AI patterns repeat across industries, accelerators can often be reused and adapted, helping organizations experiment without starting from scratch each time. Mudit adds, “The goal again is to build accelerators that help accelerate some of the work that we're doing and not completely replace humans.”
For most teams, the first step is simply getting comfortable with AI tools. This might mean experimenting with generative AI in day-to-day tasks, exploring small pilots, or joining cross-functional sessions to understand what's possible. Upskilling doesn’t require deep technical expertise, just curiosity and a willingness to test ideas. Aubrey adds, “The best thing to do is to find places within your job where you're repeating workflows over and over again. Those are easy things that you can automate with AI.” As teams learn what works, they can scale their efforts through structured governance, shared best practices, and ongoing collaboration across roles.
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, businesses are constantly seeking ways to stay ahead of the curve. At Concord, we believe that the key to unlocking innovation lies in the strategic application of artificial intelligence. Our AI CoE serves as a beacon of expertise and innovation, bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical, real-world solutions.
As we look to the future, Concord's AI CoE remains committed to delivering tangible value and fostering a culture of innovation. Whether it's through AI accelerators, upskilling your workforce, or providing strategic insights, our CoE is dedicated to helping businesses thrive in the AI era. Join us on this journey and discover the possibilities that AI can unlock for your organization.
Curious to hear the full conversation straight from our AI leaders? Check out the full podcast episode, or contact us to learn more about our AI CoE offerings.
Not sure on your next step? We'd love to hear about your business challenges. No pitch. No strings attached.
