How to use the power of AI technology for greater impact

Imagine a historic canal house in Amsterdam: charming and charismatic, but a little neglected over the years. Will you opt for a full restoration or choose subtle improvements to restore its former glory? Job van den Berg uses this analogy to illustrate how technology can support companies in their 'digital renovation'.

Similar to a historic canal house that requires renovation, many companies face the challenge of modernising their technological infrastructure. The call to harness artificial intelligence (AI) is growing louder in the business world.

Consider AI as the expert architect helping you optimise your business processes. The key is not to radically change your organisation, but to continuously improve and innovate.

AI: Not a magic solution, but a valuable assistant

Just as you would periodically inspect and maintain a canal house, you should regularly evaluate your business. Questions such as: "How can we best support our employees to do impactful work?" or "How do we ensure future-proof business operations?" are not new. Such questions were also relevant when the internet revolutionised the way we did business.

AI is a tool to take your business to the next level. It's not so much the end of jobs, but rather the end of routine tasks within those jobs. Let's be honest: manually entering data is a task no one enjoys. Important to note: don't see AI as a miracle cure, but as a valuable assistant that helps employees focus on their core competencies.

The ideal tasks for our AI assistant

Where can AI best be deployed as an assistant and which business processes can benefit from this? The power of AI lies in consistency, the ability to function 24/7, and accuracy. From data entry to efficient email management, AI can handle countless tasks.

Some examples:

• Automatic processing of financial transactions.
• Categorising and automatically replying to emails.
• Digital file management and transfer.
• Verifying incoming invoices. When considering the use of AI, it is necessary to critically evaluate processes and tasks. Not every task is suitable for AI intervention. An effective evaluation consists of two main elements:

1: How satisfying and stimulating is the task for the employee? Is it repetitive or does it require unique human skills?

2: What is the importance of the task for the overall success and continuity of the company?

When AI may not be the best choice

Tasks that are routine but important for the business, such as maintaining customer relationship management or logging hours, are ideal for AI intervention. On the other hand, tasks that give employees a lot of satisfaction and have a high impact, such as customer consultations or personal mentoring, are better suited for human expertise.

AI as the ideal partner for business innovation

Tasks that have little impact and are demotivating at the same time deserve re-evaluation. Perhaps it's time to scrap some of these tasks. Conversely, activities that employees enjoy, such as convivial team lunches or a game of table football, are indispensable for team spirit and should be retained.

AI is therefore more than a technological trend. It is a powerful tool. Just as careful renovation can transform a historic canal house, AI can revolutionise the way businesses function, making them more effective and ready for the future.

Collaboration between human and machine: the way forward

The future of business in the AI era is not about replacing the human element, but about enhancing it. The synergy between human and machine can lead to amazing results. Employees freed from repetitive tasks can focus on more creative and valuable aspects of their work. Furthermore, AI enables us to identify insights and patterns that previously went unnoticed. By fostering this collaboration, businesses can adapt, innovate, and thrive in a market that continues to change. The key is to see AI as a partner in growth, and not as a replacement.

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