Brian Perkins, Director of IT at Sumitomo Drive Technologies, leads the charge on an AI-first strategy, cleverly opting to augment existing systems instead of a disruptive ERP overhaul. He shares insights on aligning executives and users with a data-first approach, prioritizing specific AI use cases, and conducting cautious pilots for risk management. The discussion also dives into the downfall of industry giants like SAP, Blockbuster, and BlackBerry, highlighting complacency and strategic missteps that could threaten their futures.