Sometimes the Smartest Way to Use AI is Not To

Nowadays, it seems like everyone and everything is stuffing AI wherever they can… and while this can be escaped to some degree at home, nowhere does artificial intelligence seem more deeply embedded than in the workplace.

Of course, as with any technology, AI can reach a point of diminishing returns. Let’s talk about how to identify that point and, more critically, how to avoid encountering it.

AI Doesn’t Remove Dysfunction… It Amplifies It

Let’s imagine, for a moment, that you have a member of your team standing next to you. What would happen if you started loading up their arms with things—books, notepads, writing utensils, laptops, things of that nature—and told them to do their work, right there, as they were?

They might be able to do their work, but they’d also spend a lot of time arranging everything they were holding, catching things as they started to fall, and refocusing on their task after catching something that almost fell. In short, they could potentially produce quality work… it would just take much longer and be much more stressful.

Now, you may be thinking this scenario is utterly ridiculous, but it is exactly what is happening with small and medium-sized businesses and their use of AI.

AI and AI-empowered features are popping up in more and more places. As such, we’re all dealing with more prompts, dashboards, tools, and meetings about how to use them, and it is all overwhelming.

By design, these features are intended to automate a process. If that process is flawed, AI will only perpetuate those flaws in its responses. If the process is redundant, the AI will continue reinforcing that redundancy. This is why it is so, so very important to regularly consider whether each of your business’ tools still provides you with value. Making this consideration gives you the power to cut straight to the chase as you decide whether something stays or goes.

This is true whether or not AI is concerned, of course, but with the still-increasing prevalence of artificially intelligent features in, well, everything, it is quickly becoming a leading cause of such dysfunctionality.

The Four Big Things to Cut

Generally speaking, the most effective way to resolve dysfunction between your various tools is to stop using some of them. When you buckle down and eliminate things from your loadout, look for the following:

1. Duplicate functions - If you have multiple ways to accomplish one thing, it’s time to pare back. Select one option and let the rest go.
2. Unreferenced reports - Data is important, but that is assuming it is going to be used to shape your decisions. If it isn’t, creating them is simply a waste of time, money, and energy (even if you’re using AI to do it).
3. Disconnected automation - This really boils down to simplifying workflows. If you can accomplish the same thing in three steps as you could in ten steps that involve your direct attention, stick with the three-step option. AI can make it tempting to overcomplicate things for the sake of using AI, so be cognizant of why you are using it.
4. Stray AI - Just like any other business technology, no AI program or platform should be adopted without a clear reason for doing so, as well as measures to properly track it. While AI can be helpful, it needs to have direction in order to do so, down to adopting it in the first place.

We’re Here to Help You Optimize Your Business’ IT

It’s understandable that one might assume that we, as a business specializing in IT services, would be motivated to get each and every one of our clients set up with absolutely everything we have to offer. That, however, just isn’t how we operate.

Instead, we tie our success to yours… and as a result, it behooves us to really understand your needs and come up with the best fit for them. Our proactive business model is designed with that philosophy in mind: what works best for you also works best for us.

Trust us to ensure your business IT serves you and your needs. Learn more about what we can offer by calling (713) 979-2090.