A Peek Behind the Curtain: AI Adoption at Proven

What sets apart the companies that simply use AI from the companies that can leverage the new technology to be more successful?

Some companies have AI mandates rippling out from their leadership, strong waves at the top that ebb as the message reaches individual contributors for implementation. Others have more grassroots movements: AI-aware employees take it upon themselves to experiment with AI because obstacles in leadership are slowing down official approval paths.

At Proven, we’ve seen success through applying a mixed approach — combining top-level leadership support with on-the-ground experience to holistically consider and integrate an AI Native, Human Led approach into our organization.

AI Native, Human Led is our unique perspective on how to approach the powerful, useful, nebulous, and sometimes volatile technology that is AI. We want to harness it efficiently and safely, and always maintain human expertise as the deciding factor.

The Structure

At the start of 2026, recognizing the need for intentionality surrounding the quickly evolving technology of AI, Proven established its first AI Task Force. Our AI Task Force consists of one member of leadership and representatives from core departments at Proven: Marketing, Engineering, Design, and Project Management.

Each representative keeps an active pulse on the AI temperature of their respective teams and departments. Are people skeptical, confused, engaged, or apathetic about AI? How are people establishing goals related to AI, and what do they need to complete them successfully?

The Task Force representatives listen, problem-solve, and foster environments of openness and curiosity, where it’s okay to express doubts and bring up issues. They “Yes, and” ideas and empower experimentation within established guardrails based in security, privacy, and ethics. They collaboratively brainstorm new ways of cultivating an AI Native, Human Led culture at Proven.

The member from Proven’s leadership team acts as a conduit, communicating goals and directives from the leadership team to the Task Force representatives, who in turn share information with their respective teams. The leadership team member also brings back the pulse checks from each department to leadership, which helps inform company initiatives and communications.

Together, the AI Task Force acts as both the heart and the nervous system of Proven regarding AI, sending out communication, inspiration, and encouragement, and receiving regular updates on the status of adopting this new technology.

The Rhythms

Consistent rituals are the key to the success of AI adoption at Proven. The AI Task Force meets every other week to discuss updates, raise issues, and brainstorm new ideas.

In the off weeks, AI Office Hours have been established to create an approachable environment where employees can bring AI projects, questions, and issues to the Task Force for assistance and support. All departments and AI-skill levels are welcome, and both active sharing and casual listening are encouraged.

Finally, we’ve established a monthly AI Show and Tell. AI experiments, wins, and fails can be showcased by anyone in the company, for all to learn from. Discussion topics and broader conversations around AI are also welcome. Everyone comes away having a bit more exposure to what AI is capable of and how they can integrate it into their own work.

The Outputs

The first initiative the AI Task Force pursued was defining and circulating an AI policy for the company. This policy would provide a unified foundation across departments and skill levels, ultimately providing employees with the guardrails necessary to build confidence around this new and evolving technology.

Proven’s internal policy outlined high-level principles, tangible best practices, prescriptive do’s and don’ts, and permitted tools and processes related to AI. It was read and signed by every employee, and gave everyone the context and structure to take their first steps into the world of AI, knowing the risks and unknowns had been mitigated to the fullest extent possible at the time. Most importantly, the policy was established as a living and breathing form of documentation. It is reviewed and updated regularly by the AI Task Force to keep up with changing tools and processes, and those changes are intentionally and transparently shared with the rest of the company so everyone is operating from the same knowledge base.

After the implementation of the internal AI policy, as well as establishing the rituals of AI Office Hours and Show and Tells, we saw a remarkable uptick in individual and team AI explorations across departments. Project Managers were empowered to explore automations to speed up previously tedious manual tasks. Designers used AI to cut down the time spent on handover documentation. Members of the Marketing team used AI as a co-contributor to various auditing efforts. Engineers condensed code reviews and increased pull requests.

On their own, each AI exploration and implementation was a brilliant initiative that improved the quality or efficiency of our work. Together, these experiments demonstrated a larger culture shift at Proven — one that embraced AI as a tool to harness, while continuing to rely on human expertise for direction and value. This, ultimately, is at the core of being AI Native, Human Led.

When there was uncertainty over AI, the active pulse that the AI Task Force kept on AI sentiment at the company led to a dedicated AI Town Hall. Leadership transparently shared goals, addressed concerns, and answered questions, and employees left the Town Hall with a greater sense of trust that, while no one has all the answers related to AI, here at Proven, we are committed to figuring things out together.

Your Turn

Is your company ready to move from simply using AI to AI-Native? Our central recommendation to weather these new seas: intentional rhythms focused on building trust. These can take any form that fits your company. As long as you approach AI with intention and integrity and create the space for those in your organization to do the same, you’ll be able to navigate these changing times with confidence, unity, and trust.