How Insight Enterprises Achieved Near-Universal AI Adoption Through Gamification

Insight Enterprises, a Fortune 500 solutions integrator and longtime Microsoft partner, faced a challenge that many organizations encounter when implementing AI: getting employees to actually use the technology. Despite helping clients accelerate their AI journeys, Insight recognized that their own internal AI adoption was lagging behind their ambitions.

The company had set an ambitious goal to become an AI-first organization, empowering 16,000 teammates worldwide to embrace AI tools and integrate them into daily workflows. However, initial adoption rates remained lower than hoped, with employees hesitant to modify established workflows and unsure how to begin incorporating AI into their work.

The Challenge of Internal AI Transformation

"We think of each of our teammates as this force multiplier, this little snowball on top of a mountain," explained Stan Lequin, CTO, AI Transformation at Insight. "If we give it a push from an AI perspective, what kind of momentum and force of nature could we create with 16,000 snowballs, fully AI-enabled, rolling down the hill?"

This vision required more than just providing access to AI tools. Insight needed to create an environment where employees felt confident using AI not just for isolated tasks, but as an integral part of their daily work. The company had important conversations with teammates about how AI would make them more powerful rather than something to fear.

The Flight Academy Solution

To address these challenges, Insight launched Flight Academy, a gamified program designed to make AI usage practical, measurable, and rewarding for every teammate. The program transformed AI adoption from a mandatory corporate initiative into an engaging, competitive experience that employees wanted to participate in.

Flight Academy worked by incentivizing AI use through light competition and rewards. The program created an environment where AI curiosity was encouraged, success was celebrated, and use cases were visible across the business. By gamifying the adoption process, Insight turned initial interest into sustained engagement.

The results were remarkable. Through Flight Academy, Insight built a culture where AI use was engaging and rewarding, ultimately attaining near-universal adoption across their organization. The program demonstrated that the hardest part of AI transformation isn't choosing the right technology—it's getting people to use it effectively.

Recognition and Impact

Insight's innovative approach to internal AI adoption earned them significant recognition. The company was named a 2024 Microsoft Americas AI and Copilot Innovation Partner of the Year, highlighting their leadership in AI transformation both for their clients and within their own organization.

As a trusted advisor to thousands of organizations, Insight understood the importance of leading by example. Their success with Flight Academy provides a blueprint for other organizations struggling with similar AI adoption challenges. The program shows that with the right approach, companies can transform employee hesitation into widespread engagement and measurable results.

Key Lessons for AI Adoption

Insight's experience offers several valuable insights for organizations pursuing AI transformation:

• Culture matters more than technology: Even the best AI tools will fail without proper adoption strategies
• Gamification can drive engagement: Making AI adoption fun and rewarding increases participation
• Visible success stories inspire others: When employees see colleagues succeeding with AI, they're more likely to try it themselves
• Fear reduction is essential: Employees need to understand that AI enhances rather than replaces their capabilities
• Measurable goals drive progress: Tracking adoption rates helps organizations understand what's working and what needs adjustment

By addressing the human side of AI transformation, Insight Enterprises has positioned itself as a leader in the AI space, both for their clients and within their own operations. Their Flight Academy program demonstrates that with creativity and focus on employee engagement, organizations can achieve the widespread AI adoption necessary to remain competitive in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.