Beyond the AI hype: Engineering business intent in the hard hat era

The enterprise AI conversation has entered a decisive phase. An industry once driven by experimentation and velocity is now being shaped by consequence. Early momentum rewarded ambition even when economic impact remained uncertain. That margin for ambiguity has closed. Boards and CFOs are applying sharper scrutiny to every initiative, demanding evidence rather than promise. Across roadmaps and pilots, one question now dominates decision-making. Is artificial intelligence delivering measurable economic value, or is it expanding cost structures under the banner of transformation?

This shift signals the arrival of the hard hat era of AI. Financial discipline, regulatory accountability, and operational realism now define how technology investments are evaluated. Initiatives are judged by their ability to withstand margin pressure, governance review, and real-world execution. Success is no longer shaped by innovation theatre or proof-of-concept momentum. It is validated through financial performance.

Engineering for EBITDA becomes non-negotiable

A ...