If you think artificial intelligence in business just means plugging in some new algorithms and calling it a day, Atlassian wants you to think again. The company\u2014best known for tools like Jira and Confluence\u2014has made a bold move: it\u2019s not just adopting new AI tech, it\u2019s reshaping its entire culture to support the kind of innovation and teamwork that make cutting-edge AI actually useful at work.<\/p>\n
This focus on culture was a main talking point at VB Transform 2025, where Atlassian president Anu Bharadwaj, along with Hugo Bowne-Anderson from Coiled, got real about what it takes to make AI work inside an enterprise. For Atlassian, AI isn\u2019t just about automation\u2014it\u2019s about \u201cagentic AI,\u201d or AI that can act independently and flexibly to reach goals. That sounds futuristic, but there\u2019s a catch: it only works as well as the people and processes around it allow.<\/p>\n
Bharadwaj put it plainly: you can\u2019t just give people new tools and hope for the best. At Atlassian, there\u2019s an emphasis on experimentation\u2014a place where trying new things (and even failing) is encouraged. Team members are expected to launch quick, small-scale experiments to see how AI can enhance products or workflows, and instead of getting penalized for failed attempts, those are treated as valuable lessons. That\u2019s how features like smarter ticket automation in Jira or improved content suggestions in Confluence found their way to customers so quickly.<\/p>\n
But this approach is not just about moving fast. It\u2019s about psychological safety\u2014making sure employees feel secure enough to take risks without fearing backlash. This attitude has helped Atlassian weave AI into everything it does, keeping innovation moving forward at a steady clip.<\/p>\n
Of course, it also takes clear leadership. Bharadwaj emphasized that the most important thing is setting a clear direction and trusting teams to get there, rather than micromanaging every little detail of how AI is implemented. Atlassian\u2019s leaders align everyone toward the bigger mission, then let teams find their own best ways to contribute to that goal.<\/p>\n
And perhaps most importantly, this isn\u2019t just a project for the data scientists. At Atlassian, people from all sorts of backgrounds\u2014product managers, designers, marketers\u2014play a real part in shaping how AI gets built and used. That cross-departmental collaboration is what helps ensure the end result isn\u2019t just clever, but genuinely helpful, ethical, and easy to use.<\/p>\n
As AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed, Atlassian\u2019s model\u2014focused on people, process, and purposeful experimentation\u2014offers a real-world playbook for enterprises looking to grow responsibly in this space and get the most out of \u201cagentic AI.\u201d Want to see how it all comes together? Take a deeper look at their journey below.<\/p>\n