There is no point in fighting it; AI is going to be a part of your business. AI Technology is already present in chatbots, plug-ins, word-processing software, and numerous other technologies you probably use daily. There is also a good likelihood that employees will or are currently using AI to help them summarize articles, write content, and generate documentation. So, knowing that it is already here, how can you prepare your business for the AI future?
Consider the Creation of an AI Policy
Policies are a means to communicate your vision and intent, as well as helping to reduce your business risk. Your AI policy should cover the following at a minimum:
- General use
- Limitations and Restrictions
- Business Review Processes for AI Tools
- Applicable Security and Privacy Practices
- Legal Considerations
- Enforcement
These bullets provide a nice starting point for a business that does not have any AI policy documentation. They also offer pathways to discuss AI's value, use, and risks.
Approaching an AI Use Case
Establishing a clear plan or purpose for integrating AI is necessary to know how it creates value and achieves targeted outcomes. Imagine saving an average of 2 hours a week for each of your 10 employees. This would equate to over 1,000 hours directed at other critical tasks each year. To determine the impact of AI on your business, it is essential to define its intended or potential use. This could include:
- Drafting email communications
- Brainstorming for processes or projects
- Assisting with research
- Summarizing data
Consider how leveraging AI for these tasks, or others, could streamline your workflow and enhance productivity.
Being Aware of the Potential Impacts
Being well-informed on the pros and cons of AI’s impact on your business and employees is a necessary part of the adoption process. The following are some universal points about AI; you can build a similar table to match your business use case:
| Pros | Cons |
| Automation of Repetitive Tasks | Initial Investments |
| Data Analysis Capabilities | Data Privacy Concerns |
| Enhancing Customer Services | Dependency on Technology |
| Cost Efficiency Through Optimization | Skills Gap |
| Innovation | Ethical Considerations |
It is necessary to note that the pros and cons of AI will differ depending on how AI is implemented and what types of data or tasks are involved.
Collaboration and Open Communication
Collaboration and communication among your departments and various employees are needed to maximize the benefits and adoption of AI. There may be some valuable cases and insights that you have not considered that other employees can share that will foster both transparency and teamwork in your AI integration. This also allows you to address challenges and drive better outcomes for the business. Some key questions to ask the team include:
- How do you think AI will impact our customer experience?
- Do you think we could improve our operations with AI?
- What do you think AI could save us time on?
- What do you think the impact of AI will be on our business?
Final Thoughts
AI is used everywhere and is quickly becoming a part of everything. Businesses are integrating AI into their customer communication task. AI is being used when employees are trying to evaluate data, and AI is helping them be more creative and collaborative. Ignoring AI or not exploring its use cases for your business is quickly becoming impossible, and if you have not given it any thought up to this point, it is time to consider where AI can keep you on the cutting edge.
At IntelliSystems, businesses in and around Augusta, Columbia, Macon, Savannah, and Grennville can find information about navigating AI solutions and their potential risks. We offer knowledge and resources to help understand various AI use cases and address data security and privacy concerns. For details on how AI tools can assist with repetitive tasks or discuss potential applications of AI, please contact us, your local, expert, IT provider for more information.
