Stephen Smith shares how Norway’s sovereign wealth fund (NBIM), managing $1.8 trillion with just 670 employees, saved 213,000 hours a year through AI adoption. Their story isn’t about fancy tech. It’s about leadership, culture, and execution.
- Mandate with purpose – CEO Nicolai Tangen made AI proficiency non-negotiable for career progression.
- Support on the ground – 40 AI ambassadors embedded in teams ensured adoption wasn’t just corporate theatre.
- Integrated into workflows – From financial data queries to monitoring 9,000 companies, AI became core infrastructure, not an add-on.
- Guardrails build trust – “Human in the loop” checks and strict data governance kept employees confident and risks managed.
- Clear ROI stories – Hours saved became a proof point that motivated and justified investment.
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NBIM’s lesson is clear: AI success isn’t about tools, it’s about strategy and commitment. If AI is still optional in your company, ask yourself—how long until you’re left behind?
