A Lean AI Strategy is a practical, low-cost approach to integrating artificial intelligence into an organization’s operations, designed specifically for entities with limited resources—like government agencies, tribal organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits. It emphasizes starting small, using free or open-source tools, targeting a handful of high-impact use cases, and building momentum over time without requiring significant upfront investment or disruption. The focus is on efficiency: delivering measurable results with minimal capital, staff time, and risk, while laying a scalable foundation for future AI growth. It’s about doing more with less, proving value quickly, and adapting AI to fit real-world needs rather than chasing overhyped, expensive solutions.