The Staircase of AI Adoption

The Staircase of AI Adoption is the framework Intric uses to guide organizations through their AI implementation journey. It’s been developed through our hands-on experience helping over 60 organizations successfully adopt AI, combined with insights from established scientific research.

By integrating real-world learnings from our customers with two proven academic frameworks—the SAMR Model and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)—we’ve created an approach that is both practically tested and scientifically grounded:

• SAMR Model: Defines the four stages of technology adoption and how organizations progressively integrate AI into their workflows
• Technology Acceptance Model (TAM): Explains what drives people to actually use new technology

AI adoption isn’t a single leap—it’s a journey up a staircase. Each step builds on the previous one, creating a sustainable path from efficiency gains to organizational transformation.

The Four Steps

Use the staircase below to explore each level. Click each step to see what it means, why it matters, and practical examples.

S – Substitution A – Augmentation M – Modification R – Redefinition

The Two Keys to Unlocking Each Step

Each step on the staircase is “unlocked” by two critical factors that determine whether people will actually adopt AI:

Perceived Ease of Use

“Is this a headache to use?”

People need to feel confident they can use the tool without extensive training or frustration. The easier it feels, the more likely they are to try it.

Perceived Usefulness

“Does this actually help me?”

People need to see clear value in their daily work. If AI doesn’t solve a real problem or save meaningful time, adoption will stall.

The golden rule: Start where it’s easy and useful, then progress to more complex applications once trust is established.

Remember: The goal isn’t to reach Step 4 as fast as possible. The goal is to build sustainable AI adoption that creates lasting value at each stage of your journey.