Today's guest is Steven Eliuk, VP & CTO for AI, Governance and Data, Product Software Development at IBM. Steven joins Emerj CEO and Head of Research Daniel Faggella on today's episode to explore the critical barriers organizations face in operationalizing AI. Steven shares insights on due diligence, executive AI fluency, and the importance of aligning technical decisions with business strategy. The discussion dives into the complexities of enterprise-scale AI, including how to validate AI models, manage compute costs, and optimize infrastructure for long-term ROI. Steven highlights the need for rigorous processes, technical expertise, and tailored solutions that account for domain-specific demands. From actionable best practices to pitfalls to avoid, this episode offers valuable guidance for leaders navigating AI-driven transformation. If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!