To AI-ify or Not to AI-ify? That Is the Question

The Business Emergency Room: For Leaders Facing Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguity (VUCA)

Before you bring AI into your business, ask yourself: are you ready for it, or are you about to automate the chaos you already have?

In this episode, Maartje van Krieken breaks down AI readiness through the lens of business triage - a reality check for leaders who want to move fast without making a bigger mess. She explains why success starts with stabilizing your systems and why small, structured beginnings often create the strongest results.

Maartje also shares how opportunity framing helps teams define success and measure real impact instead of chasing hype. What does readiness look like in your business? And what would happen if you treated AI as a long-term skill to build, not a quick fix to apply?

By the end, you’ll see AI as a tool for clarity and capability, not chaos, and know exactly where to start.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 To AI-ify or Not to AI-ify?

01:57 When Not to Start an AI Project

04:09 How AI Can Multiply Business Chaos

07:04 Rule 1: Don’t Automate the Rubbish

10:06 Rule 2: Start Where Your House Is in Order

14:00 Rule 3: Ring-Fence the First AI Project

18:29 Rule 4: Build with Enthusiasts and Corporate Memory Keepers

22:00 Rule 5: Define Success Through Opportunity Framing

25:34 The Real Meaning of AI Readiness

Connect with Maartje van Krieken:

Connect with Maartje on LinkedIn

Visit The Chaos Games Consulting website

Visit The Business Emergency Room website

Subscribe to The Business Emergency Room on YouTube

Subscribe to Maartje’s Substack

Host Maartje van Krieken is a crisis strategist and decision-making expert who thrives in high-stakes business environments. Combining disaster management training, hands-on experience in global industries, and leadership skills honed as a seasoned sailor, she helps businesses navigate chaos with precision. Whether tackling transformation, scaling challenges, or leadership bottlenecks, Maartje delivers actionable insights to turn turbulence into traction.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm