The AI Automation Trap: Strategy and Systems must Outpace AI Innovation

Michael King

06 Jan 2026 — 1 min read

The Trap

Business leaders are currently navigating a storm of AI headlines. The pressure to transform, to automate before being left behind, is immense. I see this in the companies I support as a board member and advisor. They feel the FOMO, but they struggle to make wise bets in an environment where the technology moves faster than the organization can absorb it.

Organizations that rush into AI automation often fall into a classic trap: automating a system that isn't yet stable. As Rod Michael famously said:

"If you automate a mess, you get an automated mess."

In 2026, an "automated mess" doesn't just waste money; it accelerates chaos at a scale that can capsize a firm.

The Way Forward

Think of AI as the wind. It provides raw, incredible power for acceleration. But in sailing, the more wind you catch in your sails, the more you depend on the Keel, the weighted mass beneath the surface that provides stability.

If you try to move faster without clarity regarding your Boat (Culture and Leadership), your Destination (Vision), and your Keel (Enterprise Operating System), you aren't scaling; you’re just flailing more.

Before you increase your speed, you must invest in the foundational weight of strategic first principles. This means defining your operating system, clarifying roles, and designing business systems that can actually "hold" the power of AI.

Stability doesn’t slow you down—it’s what makes high speed possible. It starts with The Keel Framework.

Connect

If you are ready to stabilize your systems before you scale your automation, I’d love to help. Reach out on LinkedIn or email me at michael.king@keelsolutions.com.

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