In this episode, Markus sits down with Michael Lebron, Head of Digital Applications and Shared Services at Canon, to discuss how Canon is integrating Generative AI into its operations through a cross-functional committee focused on intelligent automation. Drawing from his experience leading enterprise architecture and innovation initiatives, Michael shares how the committee evolved from addressing AI-related risks to enabling productivity, creativity, and scale across departments. From upskilling employees and securing executive buy-in to deploying AI agents for process automation, this episode provides a practical blueprint for enterprise leaders looking to operationalize AI in a secure, scalable, and value-driven way.

00:00 Episode Start

02:40 Canon's Gen AI Committee

06:25 Moving past a fear mindset

11:55 A spotlight on technologists

14:45 AI Integrated

22:20 The massive unlock with unstructured data

28:45 Analyzing the ROI of AI implementation

32:10 How these tools are democratizing knowledge across organizations

39:35 Is fear holding us back?

43:25 Michael's advice

• Executive alignment is non-negotiable: Success with GenAI starts at the top. Canon’s committee model shows that broad adoption and cultural change only happen when executive leadership actively champions the vision.
• Democratization drives enterprise scale: GenAI lowers the barrier to technical innovation, enabling non-technical staff to ideate, experiment, and contribute. This shift is redefining what it means to be “digital ready” in the enterprise.
• Education eliminates fear: Resistance to AI often stems from a lack of understanding. Canon's emphasis on hands-on training, internal advocacy, and use-case transparency helps mitigate fear and build enterprise readiness.

"When we started the AI committee, it wasn’t just to control risks, it was to unlock productivity and creativity while protecting the company. We built policies not to suppress, but to encourage innovation safely. That balance of governance and enablement has been critical to our success."

"Generative AI is removing barriers to innovation. You no longer need to be a seasoned developer to build real applications or automate business tasks. It’s democratizing expertise, allowing people with curiosity, not just technical skill, to drive transformation."

"This isn’t just about deploying tools. It’s a shift in DNA, in how we work and think. From executive strategy down to individual workflows, every function at Canon is now evaluating how AI can enhance efficiency and customer experience. It’s a complete cultural evolution."