# How to Build an AI-Native Company (KK, CEO of Ascendion)

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/lead-the-team-top-2-of-podcasts-1064768/how-to-build-an-ai-native-company-kk-ceo-of-ascendion.md
Podcast: [Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)](https://stenobird.com/podcast/lead-the-team-top-2-of-podcasts-1064768)
Published: 2026-05-27T18:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.benfanning.com/theceosessions/kk
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/86117657-b7ec-4c65-b326-cb758bd47e0a.mp3
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Duration seconds: 818

## Resource

AI IS REBUILDING LEADERS KK, CEO of Ascendion, believes most companies are still thinking about AI too small-scale. The leaders pulling ahead are rebuilding how they operate. And that’s a very different conversation! KK walked away from one of the world’s largest IT services companies because he could already see the old model starting to crack: More headcount. More layers. More complexity. Meanwhile, AI was changing how decisions get made, how work gets executed, and what great leadership actually looks like going forward. One of my favorite moments was when he said the first move every CEO should make is building an AI agent for themselves first. Not for the company but for themselves. Because your team can tell pretty quickly whether leadership is truly embracing change… or just asking everyone else to do it. I think that’s the real shift happening right now. AI isn’t just changing technology. It’s rebuilding leaders. What’s one part of your workflow you’d trust an AI agent to help you with today? ----- Follow KK here on LinkedIn Learn more about Ascendion ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

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## Transcript

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