Are Your AI Tools Helping or Hiding Value 🧾

From Trials to Outcomes, the Hard Part Begins

Author

Samantha Vale
November 07, 2025

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Hey there,

What happens when teams get excited about AI but skip the prep work?

Smartsheet’s new report shows that plenty of companies are diving in before they’ve nailed the basics like data, governance, and team skills. The momentum is real, but the foundation is shaky.

Stick around to see how getting ready first can actually pay off for AI.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

  • 📊 AI Adoption Is Outpacing Readiness in PPM

  • 🎓 Google’s Vision for AI and Learning

  • 💍 AI Decoder Ring Puts a Whisper-Ready Assistant on Your Finger

📊 AI Adoption Is Outpacing Readiness in PPM

A new Smartsheet report finds teams rushing to deploy AI in project and portfolio management, while skills, governance, and data foundations lag.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🚀 Adoption Outpaces Readiness: Many organizations deploy AI in planning and execution, yet few have mature frameworks to manage risk and measure value.

  • 👥 Skills and Change Gaps: Teams need training in prompt craft, data literacy, and change management to translate pilots into consistent outcomes.

  • 🔐 Governance and Data: Clear policies, access controls, and clean datasets underpin trustworthy AI, improving accuracy and auditability across portfolios.

  • 🧭 Practical Next Steps: Start with outcome targets, run controlled pilots, define KPIs, and scale through playbooks, training, and vendor guardrails.

🎓 Google’s Vision for AI and Learning

Google outlines how AI supports teachers and students with safer tools, research-backed models, and partnerships that improve access and outcomes worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🧠 Learn-Centered AI: Models focus on tutoring, feedback, and study aids that adapt to learner needs while encouraging critical thinking.

  • 🛡️ Safety and Privacy: Guardrails, data controls, and educator oversight aim to keep classrooms secure and age-appropriate.

  • 🤝 Partner Ecosystem: Collaborations with schools, nonprofits, and researchers test real classrooms, turning pilots into scalable programs.

  • 🛠️ Tools for Teachers: Planning, assessment, and content support reduce busywork, giving educators more time for instruction and student connection.

💍 AI Decoder Ring Puts a Whisper-Ready Assistant on Your Finger

Tom’s Guide previews Sandbar’s Stream Ring, a voice-note smart ring that transcribes whispers and replies using an “Inner Voice” modeled on yours. Preorders start at $249, with shipping planned for summer 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🗣️ Voice-First Input: Hold the touchpad, whisper thoughts, and the ring records and transcribes discreetly in the companion app.

  • 🎙️ Personalized Replies: The app creates an Inner Voice from your voice, speaking answers back during conversations.

  • 🧩 Simple Hardware: No health sensors, just a mic, touchpad, haptics, water resistance, and an all-day battery for notes and media controls.

  • 💵 Pricing and Timeline: Preorders cost $249 for silver or $299 for gold, with limited U.S. shipping expected in summer 2026.

Why It Matters

When AI moves faster than the people and systems behind it, progress starts to slip through the cracks.

Strong data, clear policies, and well-trained teams turn hype into real results that last. That is how smart adoption turns into more brilliant performance.

Until our next issue,

Samantha Vale
Editor-in-Chief
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