CEO’s Radical AI Gamble
When IgniteTech CEO Eric Vaughan embraced artificial intelligence, he made a bold decision that shocked the business world. Convinced that AI would redefine every industry, he cut nearly 80% of the workforce in 2023 and 2024. Vaughan argued that embracing AI was not optional but essential for survival. Two years later, he insists the painful move secured IgniteTech’s future.
Why Vaughan Acted
In early 2023, Vaughan saw AI not as a trend but as an existential transformation. He believed hesitation would risk collapse. During an all-hands meeting, he announced that every team—sales, finance, marketing, and technology—would now revolve around AI projects. Mondays even became “AI Mondays,” where employees focused exclusively on AI-driven innovation.
Despite heavy investment in training and tools, staff pushed back. Some even refused to participate. Vaughan described the resistance as intense, particularly from technical teams. Faced with opposition, he replaced those unwilling to adapt.
The Pushback on AI
Resistance to AI isn’t unique to IgniteTech. A 2025 enterprise AI report by WRITER revealed one in three workers admitted to sabotaging AI rollouts. Many avoided training or generated poor outputs, citing frustration, unclear strategies, or fears of job loss. Vaughan saw this firsthand, noting belief mattered more than skills. Instead of forcing change, he recruited new “AI Innovation Specialists” aligned with his vision.
Rebuilding From the Ground Up
The turning point came with the hiring of a Chief AI Officer, Thibault Bridel-Bertomeu, who reorganized IgniteTech’s structure. Now, every division reports into a centralized AI organization. This eliminated silos, fostered collaboration, and accelerated innovation. By late 2024, IgniteTech launched two patent-pending AI platforms, including Eloquens AI for email automation, built in record time.
Financially, the company thrived. Vaughan revealed IgniteTech maintained nine-figure revenue, achieved nearly 75% EBITDA, and even acquired software giant Khoros. Projects that once took months could now be delivered in just days.
Lessons for Other Businesses
Experts say companies face a choice between reskilling employees or replacing them. Firms like Ikea favor reskilling, while others like Klarna leaned on automation. Vaughan’s ruthless approach demonstrated both the costs and benefits of betting everything on AI. He admitted it was “extremely difficult,” but emphasized that cultural alignment was non-negotiable.
A Future Built on AI
For Vaughan, the message is clear: AI is not just a technology shift—it is a cultural and business revolution. He does not recommend that other CEOs replicate IgniteTech’s extreme layoffs, but he warns that companies must unify around AI or risk being left behind.
“Everybody must row in the same direction,” he said. “Otherwise, we don’t get where we’re going.”
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the latest on business, technology, and the future of AI.
