Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s already transforming how businesses operate, compete, and grow. From automating routine tasks to uncovering powerful insights in data, AI is giving companies a serious edge. But for many leaders, the question isn’t why to use AI—it’s how do we even get started?
Here are some practical steps to get your business started on its AI journey:
1. Identify the Right Use Cases
Don’t start with “AI for the sake of AI.” Instead, look at your business challenges:
- Are employees spending too much time on repetitive tasks?
- Is customer support struggling with long wait times?
- Do you have data you’re not fully leveraging?
AI is best applied to problems that are measurable, repetitive, and data-driven. For example, AI is great at automating invoice processing. You can also use chatbots for customer service or for analyzing historical data to predict customer churn. Whatever use case you choose to apply AI, start small. In most cases, one or two high-impact use cases are enough to get you started.
2. Assess Your Data
AI runs on data. Before you jump into tools, ask yourself:
- Do you have clean, reliable data?
- Is it accessible (not locked in silos)?
- Do you know who owns it?
If your data is messy, prioritize cleaning and organizing it first. Think of it like fuel—you need high-quality input for high-value AI output.
3. Pick the Right Tools and Partners
Not every company needs a team of data scientists to start with AI. Today, there are plenty of platforms and pre-built solutions designed for business users. These include:
- AI chatbots and virtual assistants
- Predictive analytics tools
- Document and contract intelligence software
When evaluating tools, look for solutions that integrate with your existing systems and have strong vendor support.
4. Start Small, Then Scale
Think of your first AI project as a pilot. Define clear success metrics (e.g., reduce customer response time by 30%). Measure results, learn, and iterate.
Once you see value, you can expand AI into more areas of your business. Scaling works best when you can prove ROI and get buy-in from leadership and employees alike.
5. Build a Culture of AI Adoption
Technology alone isn’t enough—your people matter. Encourage employees to see AI as a tool to enhance their work, not replace it. Offer training, share success stories, and emphasize how AI can reduce mundane tasks so employees can focus on more meaningful work.
6. Keep Ethics and Compliance in Mind
AI is powerful, but with power comes responsibility. Be transparent with how you use AI, protect sensitive data, and ensure decisions are fair and unbiased. Building trust with customers and employees is just as important as racking up efficiency gains.
Final Thoughts
Getting started with AI in business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Focus on solving real problems, start small, and build momentum. With the right approach, AI can unlock efficiencies, drive growth, and open up new opportunities for innovation. At LRS, we have experts in AI who can help you on your journey – from the beginning steps of identifying use cases that are best for you – to accessing data sources and ensuring responsible and compliant solutions.
The businesses that take their first steps today will be the ones leading tomorrow.