The AI Samurai: building the ‘AAA’ formula with Sara Maldon, Make

In this episode, we talk to Sara Maldon, Head of Business Automation and AI at Make. Sara shares the blueprint behind Miriwa, Make’s internal transformation programme that moved the organisation from 0% to 96% AI adoption. She explains how to move beyond basic tooling into ‘Moving Target’ transformation, constantly evolving from simple automation to complex agentic workflows.

What you will learn:

• The AAA Formula: How to balance Automation, AI, and AI Agents to create a cohesive operational strategy.
• The AI Samurai: Why Make embedded full-time AI specialists into every department and the specific skills (curiosity and empathy) required to lead them.
• Moving Targets: Why reaching 96% adoption is just the beginning and how to lead a team through the constant evolution from workflows to agents.
• The Failure Benchmark: Why Sara expects her team to fail early and often to prove they are testing the edges of what is possible.
• Meaningful Metrics: Why ‘time saved’ is a secondary metric compared to core business drivers like revenue per employee and time-to-fill.

Read the article – Why 96% AI adoption at Make didn’t start with tools or training