In recent years, the conversation around Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved significantly. As organisations grapple with the potential and implications of AI, we are witnessing a shift in attitudes towards its adoption. Jack Jorgensen, Data, AI & Innovation – Practice Lead at Avec shared his insights into the current landscape of AI in business.
The evolution of AI perception
Jack highlighted that the initial hype surrounding AI, particularly with the creation of technologies like ChatGPT, led to exaggerated expectations. “ChatGPT came into fruition a few years ago, and everyone thought it would revolutionise everything, making many roles redundant. However, the reality has been more nuanced. Businesses are not replacing entire workforces with AI; instead, they are augmenting their processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.”
Jack emphasised that AI is not about making jobs obsolete but about augmenting human capabilities. “Businesses are geared towards generating new revenue streams and new income, not just replacing people. AI is being used to speed up processes and improve the quality of outputs, allowing organisations to focus on higher-value tasks.”
Segments of AI adoption
As we look at the market, there are different segments of AI adoption. Jack pointed out that many organisations are leveraging AI to make their vast repositories of documents and information more accessible. “We’ve seen AI being used to process tenders faster, reducing the cognitive load on employees. This practical application of AI is helping businesses streamline their operations and improve decision-making.”
The role of Generative AI
Generative AI, which can create new content and solutions, is another area where we are seeing significant advancements. Jack believes as AI technology continues to evolve, we will see a shift in roles towards quality assurance, data cleansing, and output testing. “The role shift is going to be towards ensuring what AI does is correct.” This focus on accuracy and reliability is crucial for businesses to trust and effectively utilise AI.
Practical applications and accessibility
One of the key challenges in AI adoption is making the technology tangible and accessible. Jack shared practical applications, such as AI-driven document processing and tender management, have helped demystify AI for many business leaders. “Even though it’s simple, it gives a level of comfort because people can see and touch it.” This hands-on experience is crucial for building confidence in AI’s capabilities.
Jack also highlighted the transformative potential of AI in streamlining business processes. “We’ve used AI to process vast quantities of documents to make it easier for people to find what they are looking for. This is a significant benefit for the team as there is less of a cognitive load on employees needing to remember and look for documents. I’m sure I’m not alone here when I say I have needed to find a document I wrote years ago and I’m fumbling through Sharepoint or file directories with standard search giving me less than helpful answers. AI is a game changer here. There are also times when I need information on a specific topic our AI solution pulls out documents I would never have considered. It allows people to get back to focusing on more strategic and creative pursuits.”
So, where do we come in?
As we move forward, it is clear that AI will continue to play a significant role in transforming business operations. The shift from hesitancy to embracing AI is driven by a better understanding of its practical applications and the realisation that it is an augmentation tool rather than a replacement. As businesses navigate this journey it is essential to approach AI with a balanced view, recognising both its potential and its limitations. Reach out to the Avec team today to discover practical AI solutions to drive efficiency within your business.
