In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), a people-first approach is not just a noble aspiration but a strategic imperative. The heart of accelerating innovation is, in fact, empowering individuals: enabling them to harness the transformative potential of AI while ensuring trust and security in these tools. A recent panel discussion at Dell Technologies World, moderated by Jen Felch, Chief Digital Officer and CIO at Dell Technologies, featured insights from Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, Rich Gagnon, Assistant City Manager and CIO of the City of Amarillo, and Steve George, Global CIO at EY. These leaders shared their experiences and strategies for empowering teams to leverage AI for transformative outcomes.