Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a reality that’s transforming organizations across the globe. Understandably, some organizations are hesitant about integrating AI into their operations. You might be surprised to learn that, to some degree, AI is likely already a part of your organization’s operations—you may even be using it yourself without realizing it.
Here’s an overview of the current state of AI as a productivity tool and what you should do to boost your organization’s productivity and keep your data secure.
AI is Everywhere
AI is increasingly being integrated into the platforms you and your staff already use. From Google’s Gemini to Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Rufus, generative AI assistants are a ubiquitous reality of navigating the online world.
If you’ve used Google search recently, you may have noticed that the first results look a little different—that’s because the top spot on Google’s results screen is now reserved for their “AI Overview.” The AI Overview uses AI to summarize the web’s top results on the subject you searched for. If you’ve used Google recently, then you’ve used AI. Though this is one small example, you or your staff may be using AI in other ways that seem innocuous but may pose some risks to your organization.
Concerns about AI for Your Organization
There are sensible reasons to be hesitant about using AI in your organization, such as accuracy and the quality of the content it generates. From an IT perspective, the main concern is information security. Your organization has information that is private, proprietary, or confidential. Generative AI uses vast libraries of data to create its responses. Anything that is entered into an AI platform (even sensitive organizational data) can become a part of its library of data for future use (including for use by other people).
Privacy and information security concerns are primarily an issue for free versions of AI platforms (paid versions tend to have clearer or stricter privacy rules). If your staff are using AI without knowing it, “free” AI is likely what they are using. The best defense against privacy and information security issues is to have clear AI policy.
AI as a Productivity Tool
Despite the concerns, AI presents opportunities for improved productivity that would be hard for any organization to ignore. Here are some of the reasons why organizations and individuals find that the benefits of AI outweigh the risks:
- Summaries: AI can instantly generate accurate and concise summaries based on text or video. This can be useful for things like, email summaries or meeting notes—which can including a clear list of follow-up action items.
- Automating repetitive tasks: AI can handle mundane tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and email management, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic activities.
- Data analysis: AI can quickly analyze large datasets to provide insights and trends that would normally take much longer to identify.
- Content generation: AI can generate content like Marketing materials, email copy, or presentations. While any content that AI creates needs to be checked and adjusted, the time saved getting to the first draft can allow your team to focus on more complex and creative tasks.
- Personalized recommendations: AI can analyze user behavior to provide personalized recommendations, improving user experience and engagement.
What Should You Do?
Regardless of whether you are optimistic or skeptical of AI, you should take action for your organization.
- Embrace AI: If you want to make the most of AI and take advantage of the productivity wins that it can create, consider subscribing to a paid version. While there are free versions out there that can do amazing things, the paid versions offer even more features and, more importantly, they offer more and clearer protections.
- Set Policies: If you are hesitant about using AI in your organization, then that should be an explicit policy for your organization. Clearly communicate the dos and don’ts of AI usage to your staff to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Conclusion
AI is not just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool that can drive growth, efficiency, and innovation in your business. By recognizing that your staff (and maybe even you) are already using AI, you can make proactive decisions about how your organization will use these new tools to safely and securely boost your productivity and stay competitive.
At BSC Solutions Group we are always looking for ways to help organizations improve productivity while reducing your risk. Whether you’re looking to get started with AI or just want to make sure you have policies in place to protect your organization, contact us today to find out how we can help.