My company wants to implement AI — where should we start?

AI is everywhere. As new use cases and applications continue to emerge, more companies are exploring how to integrate AI into their operations. The call “We need an AI strategy” is increasingly coming from the boardroom, driven by the perception that AI can solve almost any problem. This is putting growing pressure on decision-makers to start implementing AI.

But where do you start? Despite its potential, the key to successfully implementing AI in your business is to first determine what you want to achieve, and then to work out whether AI is the right tool to achieve that.

Step 1: Define your business objectives

Before you begin looking at AI or any other technology, it’s crucial that you define your business objectives. Essentially, you need to ask yourself - what do we as a business want to achieve? Make sure you can answer questions like:  

• What challenge are we trying to solve?  

• What is the measurable impact of solving this challenge? What will success look like?  

• How will solving this challenge support our broader business goals?

Step 2: Is AI the right choice for my business objectives?

Once you’ve defined the objective you want to achieve, it’s time to consider whether AI is the right choice to achieve it. Here, it’s useful to think of AI as a tool in a big innovation toolbox. It’s an extremely valuable tool, but it’s not the only tool available. And this is exactly where technical expertise makes a difference, as the real value lies in knowing when and how to use it.  

In order to work out if AI is the right choice for your specific business objective, consider whether the problem is one that requires identification of patterns that are very difficult or impossible for humans to detect. Generally, AI is the right solution when a business objective requires:  

• Large datasets: AI is ideal for analyzing vast amounts of data, identifying complex patterns, and creating predictive models.  

• Complex analyzes: When many parameters are involved, AI can uncover connections that would otherwise be impossible, or very resource-intensive, to find.

On the flip side, AI is generally not the right solution for:  

• Rule-based processes: If there is clear business logic and fixed rules for how processes should function, AI is often unnecessary. Traditional programming is cheaper and more efficient.

• Small data sets: Unless you can use a pre-trained AI model, developing AI solutions typically requires large amounts of high-quality, relevant data. If your business lacks sufficient data, it may be more effective to consider other technologies.  

• When the cost exceeds the value: AI is resource-intensive – both in development and implementation. If the potential gain doesn’t justify the cost, a more cost-effective solution might be the better choice.

Step 3: Define a concrete use case

You’ve defined your business objective, and you’ve determined that AI is the right choice to achieve it. Now, it’s time to define a concrete use case. The best type of use case is one where a solution can deliver clear value without requiring a massive upfront investment or a long implementation timeline.  

The key is to start small – find a use case within your business objective that’s easy to test, relatively low-risk, and has the potential to create visible impact quickly. Finding the right use case here will help you build momentum, gain buy-in and increase confidence to continue within your company. It’s also very important that the use case is tied directly to your organizational goals.  

Step 4: Find the right partner

Now’s the time to find the right tech partner for your business. Before you decide, it’s important to consider several factors - their experience with similar projects, how they can securely handle your data, and whether their way of working aligns with your business. Here are more things to keep in mind.  

But perhaps even more important is deciding what kind of partner you need: a traditional software provider or a strategic tech partner, like Meta Bytes. A strategic tech partner does more than just write code – we work alongside you to shape your business strategy, support your innovation goals, and guide you through your entire digital journey, whether that includes AI or not.

If you’re exploring how AI might fit into your business and want help navigating the steps above, our team can help you identify the right AI use cases and build practical, low-risk pilots. Contact us to start the conversation.  

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