The Financial Times has achieved 44% productivity gains in certain areas whilst maintaining their commitment never to replace journalists with AI. McKinley Hayden, who leads data value and strategy at the FT, reveals how they won Gen AI Initiative of the Year by focusing on values before technology. With over 2,000 active weekly users across their 3,500-strong workforce, the FT has built an implementation programme that measures emotions alongside capabilities, creating a network of departmental AI representatives who serve as two-way conduits for change. McKinley explains why simplicity matters when "the target is not fixed" and shares surprising examples where AI actually added time rather than saving it.
Topics covered
• How values and responsibility drive effective AI adoption at scale
• Building voluntary participation programmes that achieve 57% workforce engagement
• Why measuring emotions matters as much as measuring capabilities
• Creating AI playbooks for common tasks across all departments
• Where AI fails: when augmentation adds time instead of saving it
• Navigating constant change when implementation targets keep moving
• The power of departmental representatives as change agents
• Balancing quick wins with long-term transformation goals
Timestamps
00:01:44 – McKinley's role in data value and strategy at the FT
00:03:03 – The Financial Times' global presence and reach
00:04:10 – Winning Gen AI Initiative of the Year award
00:05:41 – Values-driven approach: why principles come first
00:10:47 – Thoughtful and responsible AI adoption strategies
00:13:55 – Results assessment: achieving 44% efficiency gains
00:17:29 – Survey methodology: measuring emotions and capabilities
00:22:25 – New CEO's focus on AI outcomes and priorities
00:24:17 – AI implementation programme structure and teams
00:27:29 – Complex AI versus simple augmentation approaches
00:31:56 – Demonstrating value to leadership and stakeholders
00:34:09 – Why the implementation target isn't fixed
Guest bio
McKinley Hayden leads data value and strategy at the Financial Times, where she has spearheaded the organisation's award-winning approach to AI implementation. Her work focuses on balancing technological innovation with the FT's core values of human-powered journalism. Under her leadership, the FT's AI programme has achieved significant adoption rates and productivity gains whilst maintaining a thoughtful, values-first approach. McKinley brings expertise in change management, data strategy, and organisational transformation to help traditional media organisations navigate digital evolution.
Resources and links
• Tim Bond on LinkedIn – podcast host and enterprise technology leader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/
• McKinley Hayden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckinleyhyden/
• Financial Times website: https://www.ft.com
• TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/
• Upcoming events and roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/
• Enterprise Thought Leadership community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/
Related episodes
• Episode 73: AI transformation in publishing
• Episode 69: Building data-driven cultures
• Episode 65: Change management in traditional industries
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