AI projects and soft skills: why do 95% of initiatives fail?

In a scenario where Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominates corporate discussions, an alarming statistic emerges: 95% of AI projects in companies fail. The reason, curiously, is not a lack of processing power or inefficient algorithms, but rather the inherent difficulty in human relationships and in sustaining what is being sold.

In this post, we explore the key insights from our podcast with Tatiana Campos(CEO of Luxtia and Skyone Franchisee) and Aton Gondim (Customer Success Specialist at Curseduca) on how interpersonal relationships and socio-emotional skills are the true engine of growth in the digital age.

The friction of methodology and the "Myth of Plug & Play"

One of the biggest mistakes pointed out by Tatiana Campos is treating AI as if it were traditional software (like an ERP or a common app). AI projects are not "plug and play." They have enormous friction when we try to automate processes that are already flawed or when there is no quality data.

For technology to advance, it is necessary to move away from isolated technical specialists and create multidisciplinary project teams that include HR, finance, marketing, and specialists who understand corporate culture.

The role of CS and the "translation" of expectations

Aton Gondim points out that corporate relationships, especially during critical phases like implementation, are a process of translation. In a project, there are multiple realities: what the client said, what they think they said, what the professional heard, and what they think they heard.

• Human connection: even with automation, human beings trust other human beings.
• Real value: it's not enough to have metrics like NPS or Health Score if they don't deliver a return on investment (ROI).
• Genuine curiosity: the success of Customer Success (CS) depends on a real interest in the product, the partner, and, most importantly, the person on the other side.

The responsibility of clarity: "Speak as if you were 5 years old"

One of the most practical points of the debate was the need to simplify the "technical jargon." Tatiana takes full responsibility for the clarity of her communication. If the listener needs to go to Google to understand half the words used in a meeting, the communicator has failed.

To explain complex concepts like a Lake House, Tatiana uses simple analogies: imagine a warehouse where you open all the data boxes and mix the information on the floor so that the AI ​​can "play" and learn inside. Simplicity is what allows business and technology to work together.

Soft skills for developers: beyond the code

For those seeking career growth in technology (Developers), the advice is clear: disconnect from Hollywood stereotypes. The market doesn't need the isolated genius in a sweatshirt and headphones, but professionals who:

1. Treat people with love and respect: developing personal affection isn't necessary, but kindness is essential for professional interactions.
2. Seek out tools for expression: theater and public speaking courses can help you master your voice and gain confidence when presenting yourself.
3. Be intentional: understand the "why" of being in a meeting or solving a problem.
4. Be like "emergency medical technicians": in times of crisis (such as a system outage), the IT executive needs to be the calm and level-headed person who manages the situation.

Productivity hacks with AI

The guests revealed how they use AI to scale their own results:

• "Caio" (Tatiana Campos): an AI model that acts as a critic. The secret here is not to program condescension into the prompt; the AI ​​should not flatter or agree, but work with facts and data to offer a counterpoint to human bias.
• The “Hades” (Aton Gondim): focused on rescuing what was forgotten in the “underworld” of meetings. Through transcripts and summaries, it identifies 3-second points that went unnoticed in 30-minute conversations, allowing for proactive action on risks that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Want to check out the full conversation and understand how to apply these concepts in your daily life?

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Spotify!

Written by Skyone