Guest post by Declan Goodman is a digital transformation consultant, speaker and creator of the Digital Mythology framework, which uses mythic storytelling to help leaders explain complex change in a more human way.
Mythology can make the Age of AI more human by tapping into patterns of behaviour that have existed for centuries. After nearly 30 years working in digital transformation, I have learned that the success of any digital transformation comes down to the story behind it, not the tech. As organisations accelerate AI adoption, we are finding that the real challenge is no longer technical, rather it’s trust.
Many AI initiatives struggle because the narrative is driven by tech hype and jargon, rather than human meaning. We often use terms like ‘large language models’ or ‘agentic intelligence’, which makes sense to IT professionals but often fail to resonate with non-technical stakeholders. Transformation only succeeds when the story speaks to the heart and mind (which I call Xin) of the people who it impacts.
How Mythology can help us Navigate the Age of AI
This is where mythology offers a practical lens. Myths are universal narratives that help us make sense of change and its unintended consequences. In a world where trust is fast eroding, we can use mythology as a map for navigating the Age of AI in a balanced and more human way.
Here are three examples of how you can use myth to better frame your AI journey.
Example 1: Mythology can help us better manage the power AI has unleashed
Over the ages, innovation always began with curiosity, but curiosity can be disruptive. In the mythology of the Tlingit and Haida peoples of North America, Raven grew tired of the world’s darkness and stole the sun from a selfish chief to make its light available for everyone. While the act brought illumination, it also brought chaos, heat and change that could not be undone. This applies directly to AI. We have ‘stolen the sun’ if you will, by releasing powerful new capabilities, but we cannot always control how that light is used. The lesson here is that once knowledge is released, the challenge isn’t to contain it through control, but to nurture how it is used through guidance and ethics. Practical ways to implement this myth include leading with clear ethical guardrails (rather than just tech restrictions) and encouraging shared responsibility practices where teams are taught to live wisely with the heat and power of AI. Bringing trust back to the equation, especially given the tide of distrust is rising, is the only way to make AI sustainable.
Example 2: Mythology can caution us of the hype
In Greek mythology, King Midas thought he had won the ultimate prize when everything he touched turned to gold. However, soon enough he found out that this gift was more of a curse. Not only did the food and drink he touched turn to gold (rendering it useless), but also his daughter. In the Age of AI, many leaders are tempted to chase the new gold; believing that AI will instantly create business value. Alas, experience tells us that transformation driven by hype rather than strategy carries significant risk. Practical ways to implement this myth include stripping away the hype jargon and focusing on framing AI as the enabler of human outcomes. You should ask simple questions like ‘Is this tech solving a real human need?’ or ‘Is this tech simply automating our current process rather than transforming it? In the end, the gift of gold is attractive and seductive, but your business stakeholders won’t have a use for it if it’s not used in the right way.
Example 3: Mythology can help leaders guide teams through AI uncertainty
The terrain of AI is full of doubt. Leaders need to ask if they should adopt AI now or later? In the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, the warrior Arjuna is overwhelmed by such uncertainty at the opening battle scene. His guide, Krishna, doesn’t take the reins or fight the battle for him; instead, he offers wisdom and clarity by letting Arjuna see things as they really are, restoring his confidence. AI leaders today carry a lot of uncertainty and sometimes lose touch with the fundamental meaning behind using AI. That is, they too have their Arjuna moment of uncertainty. Practical ways to implement this myth include anchoring AI decisions to a long-term vision (rather than a trend) and playing the devil’s advocate by challenging if the new AI solution is indeed AI, or is it just automation dressed in gold? By providing wisdom over hype, leaders can empower their teams to act, despite the uncertainty.
Mythology can make the Age of AI more human by tapping into patterns of behaviour that have existed for centuries. When you frame your AI story this way, it becomes a journey people trust more and want to be part of. Raven, Midas and Krishna teach us that uncertainty is, after all, the most constant aspect of life. AI just amplifies it.
If you want AI to be a part of your digital transformation story, then take the time to make the story of AI grounded to your organisation, make it meaningful and most importantly, make it human.
We live in uncertain times, and AI adds new uncertainty in a novel kind of way, but in the end digital transformation is about people, not systems. People don’t follow technology, they follow stories, especially ones they see themselves in, with all their vulnerabilities and wonder. They follow stories they believe in.
So, if you want AI to succeed, focus on the story people can see themselves in. This is where trust is built and real transformation begins.
Declan Goodman
Helping leaders make sense of digital transformation through story, myth and meaning | Gartner Symposium Speaker | Founder, Digital Mythology®
Declan Goodman is a digital transformation consultant, speaker and creator of the Digital Mythology® framework, which uses mythic storytelling to help leaders explain complex change in a more human way. With nearly 30 years’ experience across digital strategy, transformation and enterprise architecture in Ireland, Europe and Australia, he hosts the Digital Mythology® podcast and delivers masterclasses on storytelling, leadership and digital transformation.
www.declangoodman.com | Socials | Digital Mythology® | [email protected]
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