Editorial
The Gist
- Assess readiness first. Proper preparation in data, policies, and people is key.
- Set clear expectations. Engage all stakeholders early to manage expectations and maximize AI benefits.
- Continuous policy review. Regularly update policies to address ethical concerns and compliance in AI usage.
Gartner research shows that enthusiasm, hype and a fear of being left behind are driving executives to push for AI implementation within their teams and organizations. While it is a good sign that leaders are eager, this technology can only be transformative if the right preparations are in place. In this case, the setup is just as valuable as the execution.
As many leaders are facing pressure to tap into the rewards promised by AI implementation, like reduced costs and higher productivity, a crucial step in the preparation process is setting expectations with all stakeholders, including leadership, employees, customers and partners, all of which will have different notions of how generative AI will impact them directly. To do this, leaders must prepare their data, their people and their policies before diving head first into generative AI implementation.
Data Is the Foundation for AI Efficiency
Generative AI outcomes are only as good as the data provided. For leaders enthusiastic about the benefits that have been advertised to them, it’s essential that they realize that an organization's data and underlying foundations are key factors in determining what AI can achieve. Research by McKinsey indicates that generative AI could add the equivalent of $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion in annual economic benefits across 63 use cases — all directly related to data.
First thing’s first: Know what you want AI to do for your organization. Define what matters and leverage AI as a tool to reach a certain result. This should be viewed as an all-encompassing effort to support digital transformation, not an overnight project.
Then, ensure data is properly sorted, categorized or archived to support these goals. Leaders should work closely with their IT departments to ensure sensitive and proprietary data are protected. If your data is wrong/not managed correctly, how can you expect AI to handle it right?
That said, this isn’t a one-and-done; it’s important to keep an eye on the ever-changing compliance and regulatory landscape while also proactively managing the security risks that go hand-in-hand with generative AI.
Related Article: How AI Integration Can Power Better Human Experiences
AI Implementation: Set Employee and Stakeholder Expectations From the Beginning
If your people aren’t prepared and accepting of their role in leveraging generative AI, this is a critical hurdle to address. With 84% of executives expecting that AI will have a significant impact on their business, getting employees acclimated and excited about the technology is essential. A partnership between IT, communications and HR leaders is essential to create unified messaging that can be shared internally. Transparency is the best way to instill the confidence your workforce needs to trust that using AI is for their benefit, and not just supporting the business’s bottom line.
Once employees are aware of the changes and opportunities resulting from generative AI implementation in their field, upskilling and reskilling programs are the next step to ensuring your workforce is prepared to use the new tools effectively. Prepare training programs and modules specific to individual departments that acknowledge that while there will be different use cases depending on job responsibilities, all AI implementation will require similar skills.
Other key stakeholders, like partners and customers, will also be keen on learning how generative AI will impact the business. Managing “the art of possible” is necessary, so set expectations and manage the excitement or anxiety of those who will be involved. Because generative AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution, establishing the expected outcomes and how you’re working to accomplish them is key. This helps to support partners in evaluating the direct impacts to their business and relationships.
Related Article: How AI Integration Can Power Better Human Experiences
Policy Should Be a Priority
Without appropriate policies, generative AI can lead to numerous ethical concerns. It is crucial for organizations planning to incorporate AI into their daily operations to support and implement a Responsible AI policy.
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To avoid confusion, moral dilemmas or plain misuse, draft clear and concise organizational policies that outline approved use cases for AI, including the correct ways to use the technology and examples of what not to do. Share this with your employees and support managers in encouraging open and honest conversation to glean insights into what is working for your workforce and what is not.
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Intention Leads to Innovation
To reap the rewards of generative AI, leaders need to step back to assess their business and prepare their data, people and policy. Without organized data, supportive employees and clear, robust policy, generative AI could be more of a hindrance than a help.
While this technology has extraordinary potential for cost-saving and productivity gains, it is not a quick and easy initiative to implement. Leaders should lean into a thoughtful, patient approach to achieve their end goals.
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