AI consultant Khullani Abdullahi reveals how most organizations are flying blind in AI adoption, leading to chaos and confusion. She challenges leaders to prepare teams for a future where the majority of white-collar workers may become redundant within the next decade.

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year, U.S. private AI investment grew to $109.1 billion—nearly 12 times China's $9.3 billion and 24 times the U.K.'s $4.5 billion, according to Stanford University's Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence 2025 AI Index Report.⁽¹⁾ Yet despite this massive investment, only 34% of U.S. businesses actively use AI while another 34% are considering adoption. ⁽²⁾ In other words, over two-thirds of organizations are moving forward without clear roadmaps or governance structures—creating what today's guest calls "chaos, confusion, and compliance theater masquerading as strategy."

Khullani Abdullahi, founder of Techné AI, joins host Karla Jo Helms (KJ) on Disruption Interruption to discuss the realities of AI adoption in business and the coming transformation of the white-collar workforce. "We are seeing human intellectual ability degrade in real time as we outsource more of our thinking to the machines and to the algorithms," warns Abdullahi. "I would be very mindful of striking a balance and ensuring that you don't abdicate all that beautiful capacity and capability by over-relying on the tools."

Flying Blind in the AI Race

Abdullahi's work across regulated industries reveals a troubling pattern: organizations rushing to adopt AI without shared definitions, leadership alignment, or governance. Shadow AI use is rampant, with employees uploading proprietary data to unmonitored tools. "I often hear executives say, 'I'm avoiding it because the work I do is unique,'" she explains. "But what they really mean is: 'I'm afraid and uncertain.' That fear leaves companies exposed while competitors with deliberate strategies gain the edge."

The stakes couldn't be higher. Abdullahi predicts that "the vast majority of white-collar workers will be redundant and irrelevant in 10 years," not because of full automation, but because AI will eliminate 80% of routine work, leaving only the most creative and strategic roles. "Only about 20% of your work is that creative, 'only you can do it' work," she notes, emphasizing that organizations failing to adapt will find themselves with leaders unable to orchestrate hybrid human-AI teams.

Beyond Chaos: Building Strategic AI Implementation

Rather than rushing to deploy the latest AI tools, Abdullahi advocates for structured, scenario-based strategies that account for regulation, risk, and long-term value. Her approach through Techné AI involves working with organizations at every level—from rank-and-file employee training to board-level AI governance.

"Here's what I think an extraordinary leader should say: We are going to adopt AI. Here's our AI strategy. Here are the tools and trainings I'm going to make available to you. I don't know if you will have a job at the end of this 18 or 24 month journey, but I promise that I will make sure you are one of the most prepared people in the marketplace to pivot, adapt, and evolve—because we are building our company's future value while we're also going to equip you to build your future value."

Techné AI's methodology focuses on creating AI Centers of Excellence where companies can rapidly test and deploy AI tools while maintaining proper governance. It's dual-sided consulting approach works with both enterprises seeking AI adoption strategies and AI vendors needing to package their technology for enterprise clients. The goal is moving beyond hype to create sustainable competitive advantages.

Links

Disrupting the AI Race: What Leaders Should Be Asking Before They Deploy with Khullani Abdullahi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khullani

Company Websites: https://techne.ai/

Disruption Interruption is the podcast where you will hear from today's biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to bring about innovation and how they overcame opposition to adoption.

Disruption Interruption can be listened to in Apple's App Store and Spotify.

About Disruption Interruption™

Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all manner of industries— MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping, logistics, and more—and COVID has moved their timelines up a full decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say, "THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!"? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo "KJ" Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ interviews badasses who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover common traits—and not-so-common—that are changing our economic markets… and lives. Visit the world's key pioneers that persist to success, despite arrows in their backs at www.disruption-interruption.com.

About Khullani Abdullahi:

Khullani Abdullahi is the founder of Techné AI, a Chicago-based consultancy helping organizations adopt and govern artificial intelligence responsibly. With over 14 years of experience bringing emerging technologies to market across cybersecurity, digital health, legal tech, and AI startups, she equips founders and C-suite leaders with strategies that balance innovation with regulatory compliance.

A former Somali refugee turned tech entrepreneur, Khullani has built her career at the intersection of AI product development, governance, and revenue strategy. Since 2020, she has advised regulated industries on risk management, compliance, and ethical AI deployment, including an in-house leadership role at an AI biotech firm. Through Techné AI, she guides organizations beyond the hype into structured, scenario-based strategies that create clarity, resilience, and long-term value.

Khullani holds a BA in Philosophy from Carleton College and a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. An active voice in the dialogue on AI ethics and policy, she regularly educates corporate boards on AI oversight and hosts the AI in Chicago podcast, where she interviews leaders shaping the future of technology, healthcare, and innovation.

About Karla Jo Helms

Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line — and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.

References

1. American Immigration Council. "New American Fortune 500 in 2024." American Immigration Council, 17 June 2025, americanimmigrationcouncil.org/report/new-american-fortune-500-2024/.

Media Inquiries:

Karla Jo Helms

JOTO PR™ 

727-777-4629

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