01 · working theory

AI adoption is a people problem.
We build agency, not dependency.

Working Theory is a boutique AI enablement practice for operationally focused teams. We turn pilots into durable internal capability, so your people own the work after we leave.

Start a pilot Read the thesis

02 · thesis

Adoption is no longer the problem. Scaling is. Pilots are everywhere. Practice is almost nowhere.

01 the scaling gap

88%

use AI somewhere. Only a third are scaling it.

Most "AI-enabled" orgs are running isolated pilots, not transformed operations. Two-thirds haven't started scaling at all.

mckinsey · state of ai 2025

02 no measurable impact

95%

of orgs see zero profit impact from AI investment.

An NBER survey of 6,000 global executives found 89% see no effect on labor productivity. The technology is real. The translation layer is missing.

mit · gallup · nber, q1 2026

03 redesign beats access

2.8×

High performers are more likely to redesign workflows, not buy more tools.

They're also 3× more likely to have leaders actively championing AI use. The differentiator is how the org reorganizes around what the tools can now do.

mckinsey · ai trust maturity, mar 2026

04 managers are load-bearing

12%

of employees say AI has actually transformed how work gets done.

Manager-led adoption is a top driver of frequent AI use. The gap between deployment and durable practice runs through the middle of the org chart.

gallup workforce, q1 2026

<summarized by claude · mckinsey, anthropic economic index, gallup, nber, mit>

03 · services

Two tracks. Same thesis.

<track 01 · operational enablement>

For ops teams turning a pilot into durable internal practice.

<Pilot>

starts at

$25k

One workflow, one team, four weeks. Proof of capability your ops lead can defend.

4 weeks · 1 workflow

<Unit>

starts at

$55k

A full team trained to ship. Pilot scope expanded into shared rituals and review cadence.

8 weeks · 1 team

<Bigger>

typically

$100k+

Cross-functional or department-wide enablement. Scope, cadence, and pricing built around your org.

custom · 3+ teams

<track 02 · tool & product enablement>

For enterprises that bought the tool but can't staff the rollout.

You signed the contract. The vendor handed you a quickstart and a Slack channel. Adoption stalls at the team you didn't have time to train.

We come in as the adoption layer between vendor and end user. Embedded enablement, custom workflows, manager rituals, and a usage feedback loop the vendor can act on. No new headcount.

scope & pricing matched to contract size and rollout footprint

04 · team

Two practitioners. No middle layer.

Daye

<partner>

Learning systems engineer. Previously Slack, Salesforce, Uber, Vonage, across GTM, Support, Ops, People, Product.

Nelson

<partner>

Learning systems engineer. Previously Meta, TikTok, Amazon, Slack, across GTM, Marketing, Ops, Legal.

Start with a working theory.
Finish with a working team.

We take on a small number of engagements per quarter. Tell us the workflow you want to change and we'll send back a scope.

hello@worktheory.ai