How do you align cross-functional leaders on a unified AI roadmap?

When executive priorities conflict, frame AI initiatives around shared business outcomes rather than tech features. I start by auditing each department’s primary friction points—such as sales conversion bottlenecks or customer support delay—and map targeted AI solutions to those specific metrics. I build a unified steering committee with joint ownership, setting clear governance rules and shared key performance indicators. This ensures marketing, product, and finance view AI not as a competing budget item, but as a joint capability accelerator. Example: A global enterprise aligned four department leads around a single AI customer data platform, cutting duplicated software spend by 30% and accelerating product launches. Demonstrating cross-functional business alignment converts departmental silos into strategic momentum.