Make effective use of generative artificial intelligence: This is how you take work processes to a new level

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming democratized, and its accessibility as a productivity tool has improved significantly. Today, artificial intelligence is no longer only used by a few, but serves as an effective aid in many work processes. AI has become a kind of "team member" or "co-pilot" that helps in completing work tasks, optimizing resourcing and enhancing working methods. Its effect can be seen both in the organization's internal processes and in external operations.

For example, AI agents such as internal chatbots and on-call assistants can support employees in many ways, handling routine tasks and helping to resolve questions in real time. This frees up resources to focus on more complex tasks. At the same time, artificial intelligence solutions visible to the customer in external processes, such as customer service chatbots, improve the quality of the service and respond quickly to customer needs.

In addition, creative artificial intelligence has also started to play a role in ideation and innovation processes. It can support creative processes, producing new insights and solutions that people might not notice. This makes artificial intelligence a valuable tool both in strategic development and in finding new business opportunities.

What are the tasks through which you should start thinking about your own automation? Here is a checklist for tasks suitable for the use of Generative AI:

1. Digital context – The task is performed with the help of some software or digital tool, for example processing text, images, numbers or code.

2. Data available – A digital footprint remains from the task, such as recordings, records or analysis data, which can be used to train artificial intelligence.

3. Repetitiveness – The work task is often repetitive in nature and involves regular routines.

4. Scope – The task is significant and is carried out widely in different parts of the organization or by many people.

5. Little variation – The task does not present any big surprises or situations that would require human understanding, intuition or creativity.

6. Independence from the person – The performance of the task is not tied to the special skills of a certain person or team, but can be performed without the constant input of a person.

(Source: Paavo Ritala LUT School of Economics 2024)

The introduction of artificial intelligence and the utilization of the opportunities it brings are no longer the prerogative of technology giants, but every organization can start building its competitive advantage with it. However, the development of automation based on artificial intelligence requires a clear strategy and the development of capabilities in the right areas. The checklist provides a good starting point to assess which tasks are best suited for automation. When companies manage to identify these tasks and incorporate artificial intelligence into their processes, they can improve operations, free up resources and focus on innovations that take business to the next level