95% of Enterprise AI Pilots “Fail”–Just Like Lean? Not So Fast

The blog post

Are 95% of enterprise AI pilots really “failing”? And how does that compare to the long-repeated claim that 70% of Lean initiatives fail? In this episode of Lean Blog Audio, Mark Graban examines what’s really behind these numbers. He explains why many so-called “failures” stem not from flawed tools or technologies, but from leadership gaps, unrealistic goals, and a lack of psychological safety.

Drawing lessons from Lean practice and his book The Mistakes That Make Us, Mark highlights the importance of experimentation, learning from setbacks, and creating an environment where people feel safe to try, adjust, and improve. Whether you’re implementing AI, Lean, or any transformation, the key is shifting from fear of failure to a culture of continuous learning.