8 Steps For Introducing AI Into Your Organisation
Implementing any new technology solution into your business can seem daunting. To help you get started, we have compiled an 8-step guide to help you introduce AI into your business.
)
If your organisation is considering implementing AI you are not alone. According to a 2024 Modern Workplace survey conducted by Tech Central on behalf of Storm Technology, more than 60% of Irish businesses are planning to increase their AI spend in 2024. If your organisation, has committed to the introduction of AI, the steps below can be followed to help ensure that the AI system is implemented in a way that will deliver the most benefit.
Establish Business Objectives
The first step before implementing AI is to identify the business objectives that AI can support. We recommend taking some time to review and map current processes – could AI streamline processes or add value for particular working teams or even customers? Are there some repetitive tasks that AI could help automate and deliver time-savings? This process can be done internally or you can engage a technology partner to help review your processes. Once the opportunities for AI to deliver value have been identified, the business can set goals that align with same.
Choose the Right AI Solution
There are several different AI tools available on the market today, from standalone solutions to AI functionality built into business solutions. Businesses should do some research to understand which tools best align with their business and which can deliver the most value for them. Some other considerations include flexibility, ease of integration or compatibility with existing business systems.
Identify a Data Strategy
AI requires large amounts of high-quality data to deliver value. If your organisation has unorganised and messy data, the first step is the ensure that data cleaning is carried out before the introduction of AI. Following this, businesses can then define what sets of data they will need and if additional data needs to be collected. The data storage needs to be assessed too and access to this data if it is sensitive data to ensure compliance with GDPR and other data regulations. The organisation may need to appoint someone who will maintain the data quality to ensure the AI tools will continue to deliver value.
Build an AI Team
There is a difference between what a business wants to accomplish with AI and what ability the business has to achieve this in any given time frame. To introduce AI correctly, organisations need to acknowledge the internal capability gap when it comes to AI expertise. If a business wants to build the capabilities in-house, there may be a need for upskilling or reskilling employees and hiring new talent to help build the correct team of skilled professionals. Another option for organisations is to partner with a trusted business technology consultancy that already has the skills and can help guide the organisation through its AI journey.
Start Small
When your organisation is getting started with AI it is important to start small. Regardless of the different objectives your organisation has set for AI usage whether it be automating routine tasks or generating reports, the best approach is to run a pilot. This will help ensure that the AI tools are delivering the expected results in line with business objectives. These quick wins demonstrating value are important to not only ensure the AI is working correctly but to also ensure you are building trust across the organisation.
Integrate AI Into Daily Operations
Introducing AI allows businesses to change how certain operations are completed to deliver enhanced efficiency and productivity. While a positive, organisations should be wary of introducing too many changes at once as it may overwhelm employees. Doing it as a phased project will prevent huge disruptions to the flow of work and allow employees time to adjust. Training and ongoing support should also be provided to ensure a successful transition to more AI-driven business operations.
Govern Your AI
The rollout of an AI solution in an organisation should be governed. Typically this will be from the original AI team of skilled individuals that was created at the outset, but it is important to ensure that the tools are being used correctly and in line with any guidelines set by the business or any external governing bodies. Since AI works off large data sets, it is important that data is still governed correctly and that the correct data access protocols are still in place.
Monitor & Evaluate The AI
Following the implementation of the chosen AI solution, it should be regularly monitored to ensure it is performing as expected. Organisations can establish some KPIs for the AI that align with the business objectives to measure the impact on the business. Results should be analysed to identify any emerging issues or areas for improvement. It is important to note that AI models may continuously need to be refined and improved over time to keep the data fresh as your business evolves. Further with the rapid pace of development in the AI space, organisations should try to keep up to date with new advancements or updates and consider how they might apply them in their organisation too.
If you would like to learn more about introducing AI to your organisation, read our recent blog on the Top Considerations For Ensuring Optimal AI Adoption or get in touch to speak to a specialist.
)
)
)