// insight · 27 Oct 2026

If the function looks like it did before, it's not yet AI native

Same handovers, same approval queues, now with an AI licence. The test I use for AI transformation: the result should feel unfamiliar.

By Ben Ross · Founder

If the function looks like it did before, it's not yet re-designed to be AI native. That's the test I use for AI transformation.

Same handovers. Same approval queues. Same people copying information between systems. But now everyone has an AI licence.

I'd struggle to call that transformation.

At Propel, we start with the outcome and work backwards. What work can disappear? What can AI prepare? Where does a person's judgement actually matter?

The result should feel unfamiliar. People should be spending their days differently.

That can be uncomfortable. You're questioning processes, roles and habits that people have spent years perfecting.

But if you're only willing to change the tools, you're putting a pretty low ceiling on the opportunity.

Watch the video, then ask yourself: if we designed this function from scratch today, would it look anything like this?

Ping us if you are interested, we are happy to share examples of how the functions in your business could look COMPLETELY different run AI-natively.

Watch the video on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7520559910384963584/

Ben Ross

Ben Ross | Founder

A product leader and entrepreneur focused on helping businesses apply AI to real commercial problems — from intelligent automation to agent-based systems. An early voice in the field with a 2015 TEDx talk on AI, he now advises executives, product leaders and founders on turning AI ambition into outcomes

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