Everyone’s talking about how almost every team is using AI now, but the actual performance gap is widening fast.

A recent study from Deloitte Digital really nailed why: while 87% of sales teams use AI, only 24% are using it for actual workflow automation. The other 63% are just layering shiny new point tools onto old, clunky processes and expecting magic to happen. 

The reality is, buying an AI assistant won't automatically fix slow execution or broken strategy.

If you want to make sure your strategy matches where buyers are actually looking right now, run through these with your team:

To see what real AI-driven growth looks like at scale, look at enterprise software move-makers this week. 

SAP announced an agreement to acquire AI work-intelligence company TechWolf!

Instead of just buying another chat copilot, SAP is integrating TechWolf’s AI engine to automatically analyze employee skill sets and bridge operational gaps directly inside their enterprise workflow stack.

Why does this matter for GTM leaders? The real ROI from AI comes from fixing broken workflows, not adding more chatbots or flooding buyers with extra content.

SF Tech Week brought founders, investors, and builders together across the Bay Area. For AScaleX, it was a chance to bring our clients’ communities together—from candid conversations on global growth to thoughtful discussions about AI in financial services. Here’s a look back at the connections and ideas that made the week memorable. 

We kicked off Tech Week with a MidLyr panel and dinner exploring AI governance in financial services. Chrissie, Stripe’s Head of AI Platform, and Wael shared what they’re building and how they approach compliance, security, and responsible AI adoption. Over dinner, the conversation covered using AI agents to streamline workflows, moving from reactive processes to proactive systems, and embedding compliance into operations from the start.

We brought founders and operators together for Ontop, which helps companies hire, manage, and pay contractors globally. Over drinks and bites, attendees exchanged ideas on entering new markets, building distributed teams, and scaling across borders without unnecessary complexity.

Last Thursday, October 8, I had the pleasure of hosting an evening with a curated group of founders, CMOs, COOs, growth leaders, and operators at Che Fico Pizzeria during SF Tech Week, alongside Persona.

Instead of generic playbooks, we got into what’s actually driving revenue right now, and where GTM teams need to rethink their approach.

We talked about using AI architecture to streamline conversions, leveraging buying signals to target high-intent accounts, and sharpening pipeline velocity by connecting strategy, messaging, and execution.

Above all, the night proved two things: brand positioning is still your best trust engine, and nothing beats in-person conversations for building real relationships and moving business forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped keep the energy high and the insights actionable!

In the latest episode of Ascend: Stories of Scale, I sat down with Sean Hurwitz, Founder & CEO of PIXO VR, to unpack how VR, XR, and AI are fundamentally changing how enterprises train and scale their workforce.

Sean took us through his journey from gaming roots to building a leading XR platform, sharing practical insights on:

If you’re thinking about how AI and immersive tech will shape the future of work and employee performance, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full video on YouTube.

As SF Tech Week comes to a close and we wind down from the week’s events, I hope you get a chance to unplug and recharge before the mid-Q4 sprint really kicks in.

Real growth right now isn't about mapping uncharted territory with ten new point tools. For me, it's about clearing out the operational noise so your team can navigate faster.

Have a great long weekend, and I’d love to hear how your team is navigating these shifts!

Talk soon,

— Angelique 😊