Quickly writing an email, summarizing a text or having a question answered – AI is already an integral part of everyday working life in many companies. Often without managers being explicitly aware of it.

In most cases, this involves generative AI such as ChatGPT , which generates new content or optimizes existing content based on large amounts of data. And using this “under the table” is of course not ideal. Apart from possible risks in terms of data protection and the like, the full potential of using AI in companies remains untapped. 

If you want to use AI in your company, you should therefore take a systematic approach. In this article, we will show you why this is important and how you should proceed in practice to efficiently integrate AI into your company. 

Current trends & outlook for the use of AI in DACH companies

According to a McKinsey study, three out of four B2B companies in the DACH region are planning to increase their investments in AI over the next three years. One thing is clear: Over the next few years, AI solutions will not only play an increasingly important role for companies , but will become a key prerequisite for developing new business models and remaining competitive. 

What does AI mean for companies?

AI is not just another tool that you use in your company. Artificial intelligence represents a digital transformation that brings with it just as much potential as challenges. The prerequisite is that companies manage its use in a targeted manner and identify clear use cases. It is therefore not enough to map existing processes one-to-one using AI – the status quo needs to be put to the test to ensure that AI tools and workflows interact with each other as efficiently as possible. 

Lots of potential? What AI has in store for companies

You hear “lots of potential” from all corners in connection with AI. To give you an idea of what this actually means, here are a few examples:

• Automation of repetitive tasks: AI takes over routine activities so that employees can concentrate on value-adding tasks.
• Data analysis & decision support: AI analyzes large amounts of data in real time and provides sound insights for better decisions.
• Personalization of customer experiences: AI makes it possible to develop individual offers and services that are tailored to customers’ needs.
• Innovation & new business models: AI opens up new opportunities for companies to develop innovative products and services.
• Consistent digitalization & more output: With the help of AI, you can close gaps in processes and systems that are currently still mapped manually.

As I said, these are just a few examples of the endless possibilities. Depending on your company, AI can have many more potentials in your case. If you would like to get an overview and find out more, we recommend our AI Discovery Workshop.

How can AI be used in companies?

Whether as AI in ERP, in accounting or in HR – using artificial intelligence for companies makes sense across all departments. However, you will only exploit the full potential if you tailor the use of AI in your company to your individual requirements. To avoid bad investments, it makes sense to seek advice from AI consulting, which will help you to identify suitable use cases and implement them in a targeted manner.

Use cases for AI in companies

How can you actually use artificial intelligence in your company? Once again, the possibilities are almost limitless, which is why we will show you just a few examples of how AI can lead to increased productivity for companies at a low threshold:

• Email & document management: AI helps with composing, formatting and analyzing emails and documents.
• Project management: AI supports the planning, monitoring and control of projects. It identifies risks and suggests recommendations for action.
• Marketing & content creation: AI generates social media posts, newsletters and blog articles, researches keywords and optimizes content for search engines.
• Development & quality assurance: AI in software development offers various advantages from the systematic writing of requirements, the actual coding of the software, documentation or the creation of test cases.
• HR management: AI provides support in the HR area, for example when writing congratulatory emails or evaluating applicant data.

These examples show that AI is not an end in itself, but a tool that helps companies become more efficient, innovative and competitive.

What are the risks of using AI in companies?

For all its potential, the use of AI also harbors risks that you should be aware of in order to counteract them effectively and as early as possible in the transformation process. These include legal aspects such as data protection and compliance, the quality of the database, ethical issues and the acceptance of AI solutions by employees.

• Legal basis & data protection: Establish clear data protection rules for the use of AI tools and ensure that the tools used comply with them. For example, we process all data from our AI solution AssistME in an encapsulated environment. Your employees need security when it comes to handling AI and company data.
• Data quality & basis: AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained with. Poor data quality leads to incorrect results. The same applies here: put the existing database to the test instead of simply mapping it one-to-one in AI.
• Ethics & transparency: AI does not protect against responsibility, in fact it demands more. Companies must ensure that AI systems work ethically and transparently. Here too, it is advisable to provide employees with reliable guidelines.
• Change management: The introduction of AI requires open communication and the involvement of employees in order to reduce reservations and fears. This includes training courses, for example – but you should also make sure that the tools used are as intuitive to use as possible.

How to make the use of AI in companies a lasting success

Summarized once again: The potential is there and the risks are known. So what should you do specifically to successfully initiate the use of AI applications in your company in the long term?

Start with a specific use case

The most important point: start with a clearly defined use case that promises clear and measurable benefits. This will allow you to quickly gain experience and then gradually expand the use of AI.

Integrate AI tools sensibly

Instead of using AI tools indiscriminately, you should integrate them seamlessly into your existing systems and close gaps in your processes (which are still carried out manually, for example) in a meaningful way. A solution such as the AssistME app, for example, offers role-specific use cases for companies that are tailored to the individual requirements of your company.

Bring in a competent partner

The bundled know-how of an external expert saves you time and resources and enables you to introduce AI in your company without making typical mistakes or risking expensive bad investments. If you would like to find out more, we recommend our overview of AI workshops or demystifying AI, as well as taking a look at our services relating to the first steps for AI in companies. 

Fundamentally optimize processes

It is also important to understand that AI is not a panacea and if your current processes are running inefficiently, they will not become “better” just because they are carried out with AI support. For the deployment to be successful, the status quo must be questioned and optimized. This is the only way to exploit the full potential of AI.

Define guidelines for the use of AI

Clear guidelines and processes ensure that AI is used responsibly and safely within the company. Define who has access to which tools, which data may be processed and only use tools and platforms that transparently disclose how data is used and processed. Your employees need certainty about what they can and cannot do with regard to company data.

Train & involve employees

The successful introduction of AI requires the active involvement of employees. Training and workshops help to reduce fears of job loss and build up the necessary skills. This way, your employees will see AI as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Artificial intelligence in companies is the strategic lever for long-term success

Artificial intelligence offers enormous potential – from the automation of repetitive tasks to the development of innovative business models. At the same time, new challenges arise, particularly in the areas of data protection and data quality.

To exploit the full potential of AI, you need to take a strategic and concrete approach. As many companies still lack the internal know-how and the necessary perspective, working with an external partner is often the most sensible way to make the most of the opportunities that AI offers companies. 

We would be happy to support you in establishing AI in your company and tapping into its potential!