Why Most AI Projects Fail—And How Yours Won't

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-09-08

Digital transformation is on every company's agenda. Yet so many projects stall, run late, or never deliver the promised return. In a recent conversation, Virginie Claes sat down with Nick Allaert, co-founder of SANDT, to unpack why technology projects go off the rails—and what actually works. ### The Gap Between Strategy and Execution You've got a solid strategy. The board is aligned. The budget is approved. So why does everything fall apart when it's time to actually do the work? Nick sees it constantly. Companies invest in the latest tools but skip the boring parts: clear ownership, realistic timelines, and honest conversations about what's changing. Strategy doesn't fail because it's wrong. It fails because nobody planned for the messy middle. ### Why AI Is Overhyped—and Underused Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. Every vendor promises magic. But Nick's take? AI only creates value when it's woven into daily operations—not bolted on as a shiny side project. > "The right technology beats the newest technology almost every time." — Nick Allaert That means asking tough questions upfront. What problem are you solving? Who owns this after launch? How will you measure success six months from now? ### The Business-IT Divide Is Real One of the biggest culprits? The gap between business teams and IT. They speak different languages, chase different metrics, and rarely sit in the same room until something breaks. Bridging that gap isn't about more meetings. It's about shared ownership. When business leaders understand technical constraints—and IT understands commercial goals—projects move faster and break less. ### Change Management Isn't Optional You can build the perfect system. If your people don't use it, it's worthless. Nick emphasizes that change management isn't a checkbox—it's the whole game. - Start with the why, not the what - Involve frontline employees early - Celebrate small wins to build momentum - Expect resistance and plan for it ### Choosing the Right Tech Over the Shiny Tech There's a temptation to chase whatever's trending. But the most successful companies aren't always first. They're deliberate. They pick tools that fit their existing workflows, scale with their team, and solve real problems. Nick's advice? Slow down before you speed up. A $50,000 platform that nobody uses is worse than a $5,000 tool that everyone loves. ### What This Means for Entrepreneurs If you're running a small or mid-sized business, you don't need to reinvent everything overnight. Start with one process. Get it right. Then move to the next. Digital innovation with a clear return isn't about spending more. It's about spending smarter—and making sure your people come along for the ride. Want to hear the full conversation? This episode is packed with practical insights for founders and business leaders who want real results, not just hype.