Build Club launches Solaris AI to speed enterprise adoption

Australian AI learning company Build Club has launched Solaris AI, an enterprise-focused programme that aims to compress organisational AI transformation timelines from about a year to one month.

The launch comes as many large organisations continue to report weak returns from AI spending. MIT's Project NANDA has found that around 95% of enterprise AI pilots fail, while Build Club cites research suggesting only a small minority of Australian enterprises report positive returns on their AI investments.

Build Club positions Solaris as a structured way for companies to move from pilots into live workflows. The company says most large organisations already license multiple AI tools but struggle to embed them in everyday work.

"Most organisations are trying to solve the wrong problem," said Annie Liao, Founder, Build Club. "They're chasing better AI models when the real issue is adoption. Teams are drowning in tool options with no clear path forward. Solaris cuts through the noise by diagnosing where AI actually helps in your workflows, then teaching teams to build with project based learning with industry leading tools."

Research from EY, also cited by Build Club, points to executive inertia and unclear internal strategy as additional obstacles for AI programmes. Many initiatives remain stuck at proof-of-concept stage or operate in small pockets of the business.

Desktop observation

Solaris centres on a desktop software agent that runs on employees' computers. The agent observes how staff work, watches workflows in real time, and tracks repetitive tasks, bottlenecks and decision points.

Build Club says the software uses this information to diagnose where AI-based automation or assistance can be introduced. The approach differs from generic training programmes that present standardised use cases and expect teams to identify their own applications.

The platform also establishes a baseline measure of AI fluency across the organisation. It maps role-specific workflows and identifies review points that leadership teams may require for oversight and risk management.

Solaris runs this work through a three-stage process. It first diagnoses workflows to identify where AI can produce a measurable change. It then upskills teams through hands-on projects on role-specific tracks. It finally supports deployment into production environments with defined outcomes.

Partnership model

Build Club has co-developed Solaris in partnership with several technology providers, including AWS, Lovable, Gumloop, Manus AI and Groq. The company says the methodology grew out of its community workshops and has now been adapted for enterprise use.

Projects within Solaris are co-built with AWS and selected AI toolmakers. Manus AI is a new partner for Build Club and plays a central role in the initial rollout.

Build Club and Manus have also launched Manus Academy as part of the partnership. Manus Academy is a free, open-access learning programme that introduces learners to practical AI applications in their specific roles rather than broad technical concepts.

Manus AI develops software for agentic workflow execution. Its tools support multi-step tasks with human oversight and are already deployed across North America, Europe, Asia and South America.

Manus co-founder Tao Zhang said organisations need to embed AI knowledge across the workforce. "AI shouldn't be gated behind technical expertise," Zhang said. "An analyst in Melbourne or a founder in Perth should have the same access to agentic capability as someone in San Francisco. Open-sourcing this academy makes capability a public good."

Community roots

Build Club started as a grassroots AI learning community that focuses on hands-on building rather than theory-led instruction. The organisation says it has taught thousands of participants through in-person and online programmes in more than 50 cities.

The company has now formalised that approach in Solaris for larger organisations. The enterprise product applies the same project-based structure and distributes it across whole teams and business units.

"Build Club was founded on one principle: building beats theory," said Liao. "Since launch, Build Club has taught thousands in its global community how to work with AI through hands-on building. After proving that approach works across 50+ cities, Solaris brings the same methodology to enterprise scale, ensuring teams learn by doing."

Build Club describes its focus as enterprise AI adoption, workforce readiness and internal capability building. The company plans further initiatives with partners such as Manus AI as demand grows for practical AI training and deployment frameworks among large employers.