AI + OCM: How One Change Leader is Using Research to Shape the Future of Change Work
What happens when a curious mind meets cutting-edge technology in the world of organizational change? You get more than just automation—you get innovation, insight, and a whole new way of thinking about the role of change professionals. In late 2024, Lisa Carmichael, an expert change leader, began experimenting with AI. What started as casual exploration quickly turned into a deeper inquiry: How can AI enhance the work we do in Organizational Change Management (OCM)? And more importantly—how are others using it?
That curiosity sparked a research effort involving interviews with 37 professionals across OCM, organizational effectiveness, and HR. Each was asked the same core questions:
Are you using AI?
What are you using AI for?
What aren’t you using AI for?
What are your concerns?
And if you could wave a magic wand, what would you want AI to do?
Building a Community Around AI + Change
One of Lisa’s key takeaways was everyone she interviewed wanted to know how others were using AI. This led her to form a new, referral-only community for OCM professionals to explore AI together. The group recently held its first meeting—and early feedback shows there’s tremendous appetite for shared learning in this space.
But Lisa didn’t stop there. She compiled results from the interviews, then used AI to help identify “white space”—areas that are currently underserved or ripe for innovation. Based on these insights, she's been busy publishing content, giving talks, and sparking dialogue in both practitioner and executive circles – she shares some of these insights with us today!
AI Insights Backed by Data
Lisa’s AI journey is grounded in both excitement and realism. Here are a few key truths that emerged from her research:
1. A Massive Skills Gap
Despite the buzz, most companies are not preparing their people to use AI in a meaningful way. The assumption that tools like Microsoft Copilot are “intuitive” has left many users feeling lost. Users open Copilot and see “Hi, how can I help you?” and freeze—not knowing what to ask, or what to expect. The interaction fizzles out quickly and they often close it and move on. This kind of experience is common. And it highlights a change management opportunity: people need support—not just tools. Whether it’s training, role modeling from leaders, or coaching, the onus is on change experts to fill the gap.
2. AI Is Still Seen as Tactical
Many practitioners still view AI as just a tool for writing faster or summarizing notes. But the real potential lies in end-to-end integration: adaptive change planning, predictive analytics, real-time feedback loops, and smart agents that provide on-demand coaching. This shift—from point solutions to transformative capability—is just beginning.
3. Governance Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Change professionals play a critical role in helping organizations define ethical and practical boundaries for AI use. That includes creating governance around what tools are used, how data is handled, and ensuring employees understand both the power and the limits of AI.
4. Agents and Personalization Are Underutilized
Lisa noted a missed opportunity: creating AI agents that provide real-time coaching or answer questions on topics like PTO or performance reviews. This isn’t science fiction—it’s doable now. But few organizations are exploring it. As change leaders, we should be pushing the boundaries here.
5. The Human Touch Still Matters
Perhaps Lisa’s biggest takeaway: AI can never replace the human in the mix. Tools can draft a communication, but they can’t coach a leader on how to deliver it with empathy. They can analyze sentiment, but they can’t read a room. Our value as change experts lies in interpreting, connecting, and elevating strategy.
Advice for Change Professionals
Lisa has five actionable insights for fellow change experts:
Know your value. AI may be able to write, summarize, and analyze—but it can’t replace your ability to connect strategy with empathy and leadership.
Make time to learn. Read, subscribe, explore. (Lisa’s favorite newsletter is The Neuron—a daily deep dive into AI developments.)
Practice with AI tools. Try different platforms, test use cases, and stay conversationally fluent with AI.
Learn together. Independent consultants, especially, need community. Don’t go at it alone—join discussions, share experiments, and exchange resources.
Don’t assume people will use AI just because you give it to them. Organizations must rely on change management experts to help people adopt AI.
Lisa’s work is proof that curiosity, community, and courage can reshape how we use AI in OCM. The tools are here. The research is growing. The value is clear. The challenge—and the opportunity—for change leaders is to step in, skill up, and help shape the future. If you build it, they might come—but only if you also help them see the value, feel supported, and stay connected to the why behind the change.
Contact ChangeStaffing to learn more about how to use AI to shape the future of change management.
Thank you to Lisa Carmichael for her thought leadership and for collaborating with us on this blog.
Written by Kylette Harrison