McLean & Company launched its Human-Centric AI Program on September 2, 2026, a judgment-first capability-building experience designed to help organizations move AI investment from experimentation to responsible, sustained adoption. The program targets professionals, managers, and executives across HR, IT, and operations, directly addressing what the firm identifies as the main barrier to AI success: not the technology, but the people capabilities required to use it well.
"Many organizations don't have an AI technology problem; they have a people capability problem. Adoption stalls when employees lack the confidence, capabilities, and ways of working to use it effectively," said Suz Khatcherian, vice president of Learning Solutions at McLean & Company. The program focuses on critical thinking, decision-making, communication, adaptability, and change leadership rather than tool-specific training that quickly becomes outdated.
Three learning paths for different stages of AI readiness
The blended, self-paced program meets learners wherever they are through three progressive paths. Foundational AI & Data Fluency builds confidence for responsible use. Practical Application develops skills for applying AI in real work. Leading in an AI World targets the leadership capabilities needed to drive lasting adoption. Each path combines microlearning with hands-on activities, real-world scenarios, assessments, and credentials. Live expert-led sessions, peer learning, and manager guidance reinforce the experience.
Jennifer Rozon, president of McLean & Company, said the program ensures "people and organizations are equipped to use it effectively and responsibly" while keeping people at the center of how work evolves. The content will be continuously updated as AI capabilities change, which the firm positions as a key differentiator from one-time training initiatives.
Moving beyond tool familiarity
Traditional AI training often emphasizes tool features over the judgment required to apply them. McLean & Company's program treats AI adoption as a workforce capability challenge rather than a standalone technology project. "We're helping organizations build the people capabilities that make AI adoption effective and sustainable, rather than treating AI as a standalone technology initiative," said Karen Mann, senior vice president of Human Resources Research, Learning & Advisory Services.
For HR leaders looking to build these capabilities, structured learning paths like the AI Learning Path for HR Managers offer similar frameworks focused specifically on the HR function. The broader challenge McLean & Company identifies applies across departments - organizations can explore AI for Human Resources to understand how capability-building connects to HR's role in workforce transformation.
Why this matters for HR professionals
HR leaders are often tasked with driving AI adoption across their organizations, yet they inherit training approaches that focus narrowly on tool licenses and feature walkthroughs. McLean & Company's program signals a shift toward treating AI readiness as a durable people capability - one that includes judgment, communication, and change leadership. For HR teams building internal AI strategies, the takeaway is clear: adoption programs that don't develop these human skills will likely stall, regardless of how much is spent on the technology itself.
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