OpenAI’s Chat GPT is probably the biggest contributor to the Artificial Intelligence hype of 2023, serving as one of the “mainstream kick starters” of the AI talk within communities. As businesses across industries grapple with the growing importance of AI in their operations, it becomes crucial to navigate this transformative landscape strategically.

Here’s what most businesses know: incorporating artificial intelligence is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for staying competitive.

Yet, according to a GoDaddy survey, only 33% of SMB business owners can describe what generative AI is. Furthermore, while 57% of respondents show an interest in the deployment of AI within their businesses, Forbes points out the high-level of uncertainty business owners have towards adoption.

Whether you want to get started with 365 Copilot, leverage GPT extensions, or simply utilize the A.I features within certain software you already have; the questions is, where do you start?

Where Do You Start?

It’s very easy to get caught up in technology. Instead of trying to make your business fit a technology, ensure that any technology you use is aligned with your underlying business foundation. Before diving headfirst into the world of AI applications, take the time to align your AI strategy with your business objectives.

Consider conducting a comprehensive assessment of your current processes and workflows. Evaluate where AI can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and contribute to overall business growth. Whether it's automating routine tasks, improving customer interactions, or optimizing supply chain management, tailor your AI implementation to address your unique business challenges and objectives.

The first step is to ensure your business is ready for AI.

1. Understand what AI can do vs what AI should do.

While AI can bring numerous benefits to businesses, implementing it in every aspect without strategic planning can have drawbacks. First, there may be a lack of understanding about the specific needs and suitability of AI in certain processes, leading to inefficiencies. Second, overreliance on AI may compromise human intuition and creativity, critical for certain decision-making tasks. Lastly, ethical considerations, such as bias in AI algorithms, need to be carefully addressed to prevent unintended consequences. Hence, a thoughtful and strategic approach to AI integration is essential for maximizing its advantages while minimizing potential pitfalls.

2. Make sure that the implementation of AI fits your business needs.

As businesses and decision makers begin to implement or plan for implementation of AI, it’s essential to recognize that Rome wasn’t built in a day. What we mean by that is that you can’t do everything at once, and nor should you.

Strategy, Ethics, Training, and Change Management

Start small and scale strategically. Implementing AI across all facets of your business without a clear roadmap can lead to inefficiencies and misuse. Begin by identifying pilot projects or specific use cases where AI can deliver immediate benefits. This phased approach allows your team to familiarize themselves with AI applications and understand their impact.

One critical aspect of AI that is essential to remember, and have all employees remember and practice, is that AI is a tool to help. At least in 2023, and for the foreseeable future, AI can not do your job for you.

Example: the “designer” feature in PowerPoint.

There was a time when the “designer” feature did not exist, and when it did get released, it was an amazing tool to help users make their PowerPoints better. However, as with all things, it was not and is still not perfect . Sometimes it doesn’t work for certain slides and it is not yet able to identify the exact purpose of each slide, rendering it incapable of completing the look of slide decks completely.

Similarly to the “designer” feature in PowerPoint, AI tools are able to assist you and help you become more productive, but you should use AI in correspondence with the “human-in-the-loop” approach.

What is the “Human-in-the-Loop” Approach

The "human-in-the-loop" approach refers to the practice of AI and human oversight going hand-in-hand. An example of this is using AI and integrating human oversight and intervention within automated systems. This approach acknowledges that while machines can perform certain tasks autonomously, human input is crucial for decision-making and certain outputs, especially in complex or ambiguous situations. This approach allows humans to provide context, make nuanced judgments, and handle exceptions that automated systems may struggle with.

Why is Change Management so Important for AI?

Implementing AI demands careful change management strategies, much like any technology implementation. This is mostly due to its profound impact on organizations.

First and foremost, to ensure a smooth transition and ensure alignment across entire organizations , prioritizing change management will help the entire organization buy-into new changes and use AI properly.

Additionally, the introduction of AI often requires new skill sets. Employees need targeted training to effectively work with AI systems, interpret AI-generated insights, utilize AI tools to their full potential, and understand the risks and ethical concerns relating to AI, ML, etc.

Resistance to change is a common hurdle in organizational transformations, and change management strategies are designed to identify and address concerns, emphasizing the benefits of AI adoption while involving employees in the process. To maximize the impact of AI, seamless operational integration is essential.

Change management plays a pivotal role in redesigning processes to accommodate AI technologies, ensuring they enhance existing operations without causing disruptions. Beyond operational considerations, change management also address ethical and societal implications, making change management a key avenue for discussing responsible AI use and addressing privacy concerns.

Lastly, as AI technologies evolve rapidly, our change management framework positions us for continuous improvement, enabling organizations to remain agile and responsive to advancements in AI while measuring the tangible impact on productivity, efficiency, and overall business objectives.

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About Red Pill Labs

Red Pill Labs is an advisory boutique focused on bringing commercially viable ideas to the mid-market. Our services practice includes Project Management and Program Management as a service. With experience of over 300 completed software selections, we aim to help clients achieve success in a wide variety of industries. You can find our mission statement here.

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