The two stories capture an important truth about AI: The problem isn’t usually with what AI can and can’t do. More often, it’s the misalignment between what leaders want to achieve and what their value chains, operating models, and technology stacks can realistically support. The issue is pervasive—62% of companies cite poor cross-functional fit and 63% flag the need to adjust workflows as leading barriers to successful AI adoption. Only 25% of CEOs say they feel fully prepared to deploy AI organization-wide, according to asurvey by Kearney and the Futurum Group.