This case study investigates how hybrid forms of academic and industry collaboration, combining formal teaching roles with informal engagements, can contribute to corporate digital transformation and the development of effective AI strategies. Drawing on a case study of a practitioner serving as a visiting lecturer, the study highlights how structured teaching and open dialogue created a dynamic channel for reflection, knowledge transfer, and strategic foresight. The findings show that informal collaboration provides early visibility of emerging technologies, supports responsible and ethical adoption of AI, and fosters protected spaces for strategic reflection that are often absent in operational corporate settings. By embedding academic perspectives into day-to-day industrial practice, organisations can strengthen their innovation capacity and maintain competitiveness in an AI-driven economy. The paper introduces a collaboration framework that illustrates how continuous, flexible engagement between academia and industry enhances adaptability, resilience, and long-term strategic renewal, offering practical insights for organisations seeking to leverage academic expertise without the overhead of formal partnership agreements.